Pump

The pump is a fluid-handling building used to force liquids through pipes in a fixed direction. It is one of the most important tools for controlling the flow of fluids in a factory, because unlike ordinary pipes it does not simply equalize pressure between connected segments. Instead, it actively pushes fluid forward and can also be used to gate flow with power and circuit logic.

A pump can move up to 20 units of fluid per tick, or 1,200 per second, but it only achieves this maximum when the fluid segments on both sides are in a suitable state. If the source side falls below 20% fluid level, throughput drops, and the same happens if the output side rises above 80%. Like the rest of the fluid system, its practical performance depends on how full the connected pipe segments are.

When powered, the pump lets fluid pass only in its set direction. If it is unpowered, nothing passes through it. If circuit network conditions are set, the pump only operates when those conditions are met. This makes it function as a controllable valve and a simple automated gate for fluid networks. A common use is to interrupt a production chain when a different fluid is needed, such as disabling heavy oil cracking when lubricant must be reserved.

Pumps are also used to move fluids over long distances. A fluid can travel up to 320 tiles from where it was last created or extended before another pump is needed. Placing a pump resets this distance, allowing the fluid to continue for another 320 tiles. If a pipe is extended too far, the map shows a warning. Chaining multiple pumps in series does not extend the range any further than the last pump in the chain; only the last one matters for distance. However, pumps placed in parallel can increase total throughput, and several pumps may be used together to approach the maximum flow rate of a large connection.

Pumps can also load and unload fluid wagons at train stops. When placed so one end faces the rail and the other connects to a pipe, the pump changes appearance. If a fluid wagon stops beside it, the pump head connects to the nearest tank on the wagon and begins transferring fluid. This will not happen if the pump is unpowered or if a circuit condition prevents operation.

• Use pumps to prevent backflow and to enforce one-way fluid movement.
• Use circuit conditions to stop or start specific fluid branches automatically.
• Use parallel pumps when a single line must handle very high fluid throughput.
• Use pumps at train stations for fast fluid wagon loading and unloading.