Separator

The Separator is a processing block that splits incoming Slag into raw mineral outputs. It consumes Slag liquid and electrical power to randomly produce one of four items: Copper, Lead, Graphite, or Titanium. The block is commonly used to convert excess Slag into usable materials for smelting, unit production, or advanced factories when ore nodes are not available.

A Separator consumes Slag and power (roughly 66 power/sec) with a processing cycle of about 0.583 seconds, producing outputs at an average combined rate of approximately 1.715 items/sec. The probabilistic output distribution averages to Copper 42% (0.71/sec), Lead 25% (0.43/sec), Graphite 17% (0.28/sec), and Titanium 17% (0.28/sec), which corresponds to a ratio of about 5:3:2:2 (Copper:Lead:Graphite:Titanium).

Because each cycle yields exactly one item chosen from those four types, the Separator’s output is inherently random. This randomness makes downstream sorting and buffering essential for reliable automation. Use dense sorting or storage arrangements to prevent clogging and to direct each product to the appropriate consumer.

• Separate the mixed outputs onto individual belts or routes so blocks that need specific inputs do not jam. Sorters and Inverted Sorters can be used, but they must be spaced because only two can be placed consecutively without causing instant transit; plan belt layouts accordingly.
• Containers with Unloaders provide a compact sorting and buffering solution (costlier but space-efficient) and add temporary storage to smooth bursts. Incinerators are a last resort to eliminate clogging items to keep a line running.
• Separators pair well with Melters and Pulverizers: a single Melter at full power fed by scrap-derived inputs can nearly support three Separators, leaving a small Slag deficit (0.3/sec) that may cause brief outages. One Melter can also support one Separator plus one Disassembler with a small Slag surplus (0.7/sec), enabling a full set of scrap-derived resources.
• The Separator is useful when you need Titanium in sectors without ore as long as initial Titanium is available (starting loadout or imported via Launch Pad) to cover build costs. However, for fuel requiring Thorium, the Disassembler is generally preferable because it can produce Titanium faster and yields Thorium.
• Outputs from Separators are valuable for specific crafting chains: Copper, Lead, and Titanium feed Surge Smelters for surge alloy production; Graphite from scrap refining supplements coal-derived graphite for tier-2 unit production and turret ammo. Sand (for silicon) can be produced from scrap with a Pulverizer to complement Separator outputs, and Lead plus Sand can be used to produce pyratite or metaglass. Titanium can also be combined with water to make cryofluid for Differential Generators or Impact Reactors.
• Be mindful of overproduction: Copper is the most common product and can become a surplus since it is only primarily used for surge alloy among scrap-derived recipes; plan consumption or sink mechanisms accordingly.

Design Separator arrays with downstream consumers, buffering, and flexible sorting in mind. The block is a powerful way to turn Slag into a range of usable materials, but its randomized yields require careful logistics to extract maximum value without stalling production.