Mercedes Mullins
In the Kerbal Space Program, it is possible to use a fuel converter without an ore storage tank, as ore can be transferred anywhere on a vessel. However, it is recommended to have at least six hours of intermediate ore storage to avoid losing production due to insufficient storage. The converter can take ore from anywhere and deposit fuel into any tank, regardless of a crossfeed path. Running both the converter and drill simultaneously is possible but may result in reduced drill performance. The small converter is inefficient and requires solar or nuclear energy. Hauling ore to orbit is generally less hassle than hauling fuel, as ore gets automatically distributed, and the converter will refuel docked ships.
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What You'll Learn
The converter can take ore from anywhere and deposit fuel into any tank
However, it is recommended to have six hours of intermediate ore storage. This is because if you load the vessel later, you will get your backlogged production and processing in 6-hour chunks, and you can lose production to insufficient storage for the chunk.
It is also worth noting that the small converter is terribly inefficient. Therefore, it is better to carry that extra mass as fuel.
Additionally, the converter + stored ore will automatically refuel any ship you have docked to your station.
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Ore is heavy, so it's best to convert it on the surface
Indeed, it is more efficient to convert ore into fuel on the surface, as ore is much heavier than liquid fuel and oxidizer. This means that hauling ore to an off-site converter will be more of a hassle than it's worth. Instead, it is recommended to set up a mining complex on the ground with a converter on-site. This way, you can fill up your fuel tanks and go wherever you need.
Additionally, it is important to note that ore is a surface resource. This means that it is gathered by mining the solid surfaces of planets, moons, asteroids, or comets. Asteroids contain a finite amount of ore, and the mass of an asteroid will be reduced by the amount of ore extracted. Therefore, it is essential to consider the weight and volume of ore when planning your mining and conversion operations.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that ore discovery rates have been in steady decline since the mid-20th century, indicating that most surface-level, easily accessible sources have been exhausted. This means that progressive lower-grade deposits must now be targeted, and new methods of extraction must be developed. This further emphasizes the importance of efficient ore conversion and utilization to reduce the environmental impact and health risks associated with mining and extraction processes.
In conclusion, by converting ore on the surface, you can optimize your operations and make the most of the available resources. This approach not only saves time and effort but also ensures you are making the most efficient use of the ore, which is becoming increasingly valuable and scarce.
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It's more efficient to run the converter and drill simultaneously
Running the converter and drill simultaneously is more efficient than running them separately. This is because the converter can take ore from anywhere on the vessel and deposit fuel into any tank, irrespective of a crossfeed path. Crossfeed restrictions only apply to manual transfers. As long as the drill or ore is somewhere on the same ship or one that has docked with it, the converter will be able to use it and put the fuel in any tank that's connected by crossfeed parts.
However, when the converter and drill run at the same time, the drill cannot supply the normal amount of ore the converter would use when running separately. It works at approximately 0.8% load, meaning that the power usage is also 0.8%. This means that you will need more power sources to run both simultaneously. For example, eight nuclear generators can power a small drill and a small converter with cooling and a 5-star engineer.
It is also important to note that the converter and drill both require a lot of power. Therefore, unless you have a lot of massive solar panels and are close to the sun, you may need to use other power sources. For example, you could use eight RTGs to supply the drill and converter, and one more for two small folding radiators.
In addition, conversion will generally follow, or run concurrently with, resource harvesting. Drills will extract ore from a celestial body or asteroid, and conversion will generally be preceded by the use of resource scanners to find a location with a sufficiently high ore concentration.
Finally, it is worth noting that there are almost no good use cases for the 125 from a practical standpoint. You are better off carrying that extra mass as fuel.
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The ISRU converter can be in orbit, with ore mined separately
The ISRU converter can be in orbit, with ore mined and transported separately. This is a viable option, and there are several benefits to this setup. Firstly, it reduces the part count by splitting the mining and ISRU functions into two separate crafts, which can help improve the frame rate. Additionally, it allows for more flexibility in landing, as you don't need to worry about landing at a specific spot. You can land your mining craft anywhere there is ore and bring it up to the orbiting station for conversion.
However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. One user suggests that having an ISRU on board is more efficient, especially if you have an ore rocket of a certain size. They recommend having an ISRU both on the surface and in orbit and docking to utilize them. This setup can be easier than dealing with separate installations and the challenges of docking on the ground.
Another factor to consider is the size and efficiency of the ISRU converter. The small converter is known to be terribly inefficient, and it requires solar or nuclear energy to operate. On the other hand, the ISRU 125 is also considered extremely inefficient at converting ore to liquid fuel. Therefore, it is essential to choose the right ISRU converter for your specific needs.
In terms of ore storage, there are differing opinions. Some users suggest that the ISRU requires some amount of ore stored on the craft to perform its conversion, while others claim that the ISRU will consume ore from anywhere on the vessel, irrespective of a crossfeed path. It is recommended to have at least six hours of intermediate ore storage to avoid losing production due to insufficient storage. Additionally, a modlet called "ISRU Thanks But No Tanks" can be used to add a tiny amount of ore storage to the ISRU, providing an alternative solution.
Overall, having the ISRU converter in orbit with separate ore mining and transportation is a valid approach. It offers benefits such as reduced part count and landing flexibility but also comes with considerations regarding efficiency, converter size, and ore storage requirements. The specific needs and constraints of your operation will determine the optimal setup.
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Ore weighs the same as the fuel it produces
It is generally more efficient to convert ore into fuel on-site, as the amount of fuel produced will weigh less than the ore used to make it. However, in the case of Kerbal Space Program, ore weighs the same as the fuel it produces. This means that the converter can be placed anywhere, as long as the drill, ore tank, converter, and fuel tank are all on the same vessel.
In the game, one unit of ore can be converted into two units of fuel, with the weight of the two fuel units being equal to the weight of the original ore unit. This 1:1 conversion rate allows for flexibility in the placement of the converter. If the converter is kept in orbit, the tanker vehicle does not need both monopropellant and liquid fuel tanks. However, surface refining may be preferred if a large amount of monopropellant is required quickly, as the taxi will be able to refuel on the surface and not get stranded.
The weight equivalence of ore and fuel in Kerbal Space Program is a design choice that simplifies resource management and allows for greater flexibility in ship design. It eliminates the need to consider the weight difference between ore and fuel when planning resource collection and conversion. This simplifies the game's mechanics and allows players to focus on other aspects of ship design and resource management.
While the weight equivalence of ore and fuel is a convenient game mechanic, it is not physically accurate. In reality, the conversion of ore into fuel would result in a weight difference, as the process involves the extraction and refinement of valuable resources from the ore. This refinement process would result in a final product with a lower weight than the original ore. However, in the context of the game, this discrepancy is overlooked in favor of a simplified and more accessible resource management system.
In conclusion, the unique property of ore weighing the same as the fuel it produces in Kerbal Space Program allows for greater flexibility in ship design and resource management. By disregarding the physical accuracy of fuel conversion rates, the game prioritizes accessibility and player convenience. This weight equivalence simplifies the decision-making process regarding the placement of converters and the refinement of ore, allowing players to focus on other strategic considerations in their space exploration endeavors.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. Ore can be transferred anywhere on a vessel, and the converter can take ore from anywhere and deposit fuel into any tank. However, it is recommended to have at least six hours of intermediate ore storage to avoid losing production due to insufficient storage.
Using a fuel converter without ore storage tanks eliminates the need to manually transfer fuel and deal with uneven fuel and oxygen stores. It also allows for automatic refuelling of docked ships and eliminates the weight penalty of ore tanks.
Without ore storage tanks, there is a risk of losing production due to insufficient storage if the converter is not constantly running. Additionally, the small converter is known to be terribly inefficient, and a large number of nuclear generators are required to power it.
To optimise your setup, ensure that you have adequate power and cooling for your converter. Consider using solar or nuclear energy to power the converter and drills, and include radiators in your design. Additionally, engineers will speed up mining and conversion processes.
Yes, an alternative method is to ferry ore from the surface to an orbital refinery. This method utilises a large rocket with ore tanks, radiators, drills, and a power supply. It is crucial to ensure sufficient delta-v for safe landing and takeoff.
