Pipes have serious issues.... SERIOUS

[Agent707]

For whatever reason, my crude oil just stops flowing into my refineries.
On random banks of refineries. Not the same ones.

I have 3 sets of refineries pumping 600m into each of the three.
Randomly one of them will just stop flowing. I have to delete the main feed coming out of the buffer and into the first junction - and rebuild it to get it flowing again.

Doing NOTHING but delete a pipe, and rebuilding it. Adding or taking away nothing.
This fixes this issue every time.

This is a VERY aggravating bug. *shrug*

[NocheLuz]

All my Coal Generators, Fuel, and Rocket Fuel are working perfectly.

The only problem I encounter is one of the Coal Generator Sets isn't getting enough water even though it has the same setup. I noticed that 2 of the generators don't get enough water, so I just deleted and rebuilt the pipe to connect it to the Coal Generator. Never had a problem since.

I think it might have been bugs since any of the workarounds don't fix the problem. But deleting the pipe and rebuilding it fixed the problem.

[Agent707]

I sit and watch my flow rate between the input buffer and the refineries.
It bounces all over the place. From 0 to 600 and everywhere in-between.

The consumption rate of the refineries is 600, and the output buffer is only about 10% full.
There should be NO REASON the input pipes are not flowing a constant 600m.
My other two sets flow at 100% (600m) pretty much constantly (occasionally hiccuping, but not for a second or two).

I have nothing clogging the outputs, as the resin overflow goes into sinks.

All 3 refinery sets are identical.

[Schalimah]

If you have long pipes or intersections, try to work with valves.
This prevents back flow.
For example, if you have a T-juction, where two extractors merge into a main line, put valves just before the cross piece.
This prevents liquid from the right extracto to flow into the pipe of the left extractor, which would prevent the left extractor to output the liquid, because pipes only flow in one direction.

[NocheLuz]

I suggest putting in any buffer (a smaller one is fine too), filling it to full with crude oil, and putting a valve after the Buffer (on the pipe that will go into the Refinery). As long as there are no bugs that prevent full flow rate, this will help you fill the Refinery with 600 m3.

I also suggest filling any buffer to full before using it to prevent an uneven flow rate. Because sometimes, the full flow rate will take away almost 200 m3 before it is stable. If you don't have 200 m3 in the pipe it might slow down the flow rate. Some systems might work perfectly, but putting in a buffer will ensure it has some leeway to help with the flow.

[DaBa]

Originally posted by NocheLuz:

I suggest putting in any buffer (a smaller one is fine too), filling it to full with crude oil, and putting a valve after the Buffer (on the pipe that will go into the Refinery). As long as there are no bugs that prevent full flow rate, this will help you fill the Refinery with 600 m3.

I also suggest filling any buffer to full before using it to prevent an uneven flow rate. Because sometimes, the full flow rate will take away almost 200 m3 before it is stable. If you don't have 200 m3 in the pipe it might slow down the flow rate. Some systems might work perfectly, but putting in a buffer will ensure it has some leeway to help with the flow.

That's also my key takeaway from all the hours I spent playing with pipes. Filling all the pipes and buffers as full as possible before turning on the production will ensure there will be no issues with uneven flow rate as there will always be extra fluids to account for that.

Also avoid one way manifolds, always try to connect any manifold back into the main pipe so it's a circular system instead, not sure why but it helps the fluids flow better.

The fluid system in Satisfactory is definitely too complicated for it's own good, but you can tame it and learn to work with it.

[Agent707]

Pipes are a straight shot. They split off one by one into the refineries. There isn't anything in the system to confuse it "which way" the fluid should be flowing - causing any kind of "back flow? lol"

The consumption rate = the rate at the oil pumps.
It is a straight shot between the two (ok yea, there are bends, but you know what I mean).
(and yes, there are buffers on each side of every system I build).
There should be 100% constant flow rate, all the time.
If this isn't "how it works" in this game, than I'm done with this.

They've done a great job with simulating a lot of things with this game. Fluid movement isn't one of them.

[Agent707]

Originally posted by DaBa:

The fluid system in Satisfactory is definitely too complicated for it's own good, but you can tame it and learn to work with it.

I've gathered. I remember having these problems years ago.
Long break from the game and would have thought this would been "ironed out" by now. I guess it is what it is.

I use buffers on every side of every fluid system I build.
I agree that filling the buffers makes for "more stable" flow, but it shouldn't!

It's like, once it gets way out of balance, it is just a runaway train.

[Mush]

Pipes and fluids do need some work but the problem you describe, i am sorry but there has to be something you did that causes it to stop flowing.
try rebuilding the pipe network before the problem area and make sure to put down the cross sections first.
put a valve before the cross sections and if it still happens, a pump can help even if it should not be needed.

again, pipes do need work but if you build them correctly, they should not stop flowing all the time.

[Acecool]

I've posted many screenshots of a solution which fixes it 100% of the time. Straight pipes = bad. Use the headlift, go over 2x 4m walls in vertical mode to make a bump. Back down, valve then buffer. No issues flowing 600m^3 crude, even joining from 2 normals fully overclocked into 8 refineries.

https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856042254316/
https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856042252649/
https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856042252539/
https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856042252248/
https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039647826/
https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039647272/
https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039523674/
https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039486916/

This one I went straight and had an issue so I did the fix after the fact and no more issues: https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039463613/

Another wonky fix: https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039452619/

Designed properly from the start - Oil 600 m^3 > bump > buffer > valve > long pipe into 4 refineries: https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039447769/

Fuel generators - I put them opposite each other using 400m^3 per minute overclocked with 8, connected the generator pairs together, then ran a + connection down the middle.
https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039439673/

Refineries > bump > valve > buffer > into the 8 - load balanced 600 crude making 400 fuel: https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039439514/

https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039439328/

You can waterat the bottom:
https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856039433861/

Crude from the top with the long straight pipe pumping the 600 m^3 into 4 refineries for 400 fuel: https://steamcommunity.com/id/Acecool/screenshot/2479883856038022554/


Generators are consuming exactly 400, refineries producing exactly 400 using the 600 crude. Any issue with any of those reducing the value would shut the entire thing down and I've had 0 downtime, leaving the game open overnight too. This is my main source of power if you ignore the measly 10 coal.

[Agent707]

Originally posted by Mush:

again, pipes do need work but if you build them correctly, they should not stop flowing all the time.

What is correct, and what the game deems correct is where my problem is.
I'm not about to try to figure out how this game likes piping systems as a work around.
I tried to reason with it, but the flow meter gave me the finger. lol

I know enough out flow, pressure, head loss/gain where I shouldn't be having this kind of trouble. Actually took an extensive course in hydraulics back when I was in the air force (decades ago).

Anyhow, it seems the game just has a "certain way" you have to deal with fluids to make them work. My .02 is they tried to make a robust fluid system to go along with the rest of the game (which is great!), and just bit off more than they could chew.
Been there, done that myself, more than once (I'm a retired software engineer).

Oh well. Maybe I'll post a screen shot so you can see how simple my system is.

600m pipe coming straight off the pump, which is max OC to 600m.
(I got rid of the buffer tank)
Splits right down the middle with a directional valve on either side.
I even threw in a pump (shouldn't need it) to compensate for any head loss the game might think I have?
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3336332776
Each unit fully OC to consume 75m x 8 = 600m.
Some units are full with 50, some units struggle to to even have 5, and sit there waiting a LONG time to get any fluid.

[Mush]

Originally posted by Agent707:

Originally posted by Mush:

again, pipes do need work but if you build them correctly, they should not stop flowing all the time.

What is correct, and what the game deems correct is where my problem is.
I'm not about to try to figure out how this game likes piping systems as a work around.
I tried to reason with it, but the flow meter gave me the finger. lol

I know enough out flow, pressure, head loss/gain where I shouldn't be having this kind of trouble. Actually took an extensive course in hydraulics back when I was in the air force (decades ago).

Anyhow, it seems the game just has a "certain way" you have to deal with fluids to make them work. My .02 is they tried to make a robust fluid system to go along with the rest of the game (which is great!), and just bit off more than they could chew.
Been there, done that myself, more than once (I'm a retired software engineer).

Oh well. Maybe I'll post a screen shot so you can see how simple my system is.

and they are working on it, they have been working on it for quite a while now but until they get it fixed, we need to use workarounds to force it to work.

it's a hassle but getting frustrated is not going to work for anyone.

[Acecool]

Do a lift from your pumps to go about 8-10m above where they end up. Use your pumps right there to lift it that high and then you shouldn't need them again unless you want to go above that height.

Also some people have reported issues with the floor pipe access.

[Mush]

Originally posted by Agent707:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3336332776

8 coal OC generators on a single feed mk2 line?
how much did you overclock them?

[Agent707]

Originally posted by Mush:

Originally posted by Agent707:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3336332776

8 coal OC generators on a single feed mk2 line?
how much did you overclock them?

Bro, those are refineries.

[Mush]

Originally posted by Agent707:

Originally posted by Mush:

8 coal OC generators on a single feed mk2 line?
how much did you overclock them?

Bro, those are refineries.

my mistake then..i just had a quick peek.
i will have a look at the flow rates when the little one is sleeping, she is trying to mess with the keyboard when i am sitting at the desk.
can you give me your exact setup?
water extractors, recipe, OC rates?
then i will try to replicate your setup.