Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Slumb]

I'm in the middle of building a magma fall.  The plan is basically to pumping up magma from deep down in a magma vent to up and above the surface, then finally dropping it back into the pipe.  A grand construction but that's what DF is all about!

So I read the various posts about pumping magma and got started.  I drew up a design, built the metal components, hooked it up to a bunch of wind power and I got it pumping up a few z levels. Sweet.

But the magma is "disappearing" somewhere.  I can tell because the magma vent I'm pumping from is slowly draining away despite not having anywhere to drain to except for some 1x1 square pits.  I'm pretty sure there are no leaks, I've checked all the floors and walls.  

My pumps are arranged (approximately) like this:

code:

  
side view:
~~~=====
~~~====  %%~=   %% Pump (note: the 2-deep z level requirement)
~P~== %%~==~=   == Rock 
~I~%%~==~====   ~~ Magma
~P~==~====       
~E~======
~~~=====
======

I noticed that the "open space" at the exit point of the pumps never fills.  (It's like some kind of magma black hole).  Is it because there is nothing for the magma to sit on at the exit point?

Is there a flaw in my design?
Is it possible for the magma to melt the floor somewhere I can't see?

Has anyone else tried to do something like this?

Any comments or guidance welcome.

[ParrotPatrol]

I know for a fact that magma that is not connected to its source eventually turns into obsidian, maybe since its in mid air, it cannot turn to obsidian and just disappears.