Petroleum Generator

The Petroleum Generator is a mid- to late-game power building that burns petroleum to produce a large amount of electricity. It is a straightforward way to turn crude oil infrastructure into power without needing the more complex fuel processing chain used by other generators, and it is often valued for its high output and easy setup rather than for efficiency. In practice, it is one of the simplest ways to convert liquid-fuel production into dependable power.

A single Petroleum Generator produces 2000 W and outputs 0.75 kg/s Polluted Water and 0.5 kg/s Carbon Dioxide while generating 20 kDTU/s of heat. Compared with other power options, it has a strong energy output but also creates a significant waste stream. Its polluted water output is especially useful because it is germ-free at the moment it is produced, making it convenient for feeding systems such as Pincha Pepper plants or closed-loop water handling. The carbon dioxide can also be routed to Slicksters for partial recycling, though this does not make the loop fully self-sustaining on its own.

A few practical points make the building easier to use well:

• It is easier to set up than power systems that require additional fuel processing, and it can burn cold petroleum directly.
• A single generator is easier to boost with a Power Control Station than several smaller generators, making it a good candidate for concentrated power builds.
• Its polluted water output can support a substantial amount of plant growth; one generator can supply roughly a dozen Pincha Pepper plants.
• The by-products are useful, but the generator is not inherently sustainable. If it is paired with ethanol production or Slickster recycling, the overall system can be pushed closer to a loop.
• The generator’s heat behavior depends on its own temperature and the input fuel temperature. If petroleum is hot enough, the building can end up heat negative; if cold fuel is burned in a hot machine, it can become heat multiplying.
• If the generator’s temperature rises above 122.35 °C, the polluted water output flashes to steam, and steam deletion can occur. For water recovery setups, keeping the generator below 120 °C and routing polluted water away for separate boiling or filtering is important.

The Petroleum Generator is also useful in comparison with the Natural Gas Generator and Wood Burner. When fuel and by-products are compared at equivalent input scales, petroleum-based power is less efficient than highly optimized natural gas setups, but it is much simpler to deploy and still offers excellent output for the amount of infrastructure required.