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Author Topic: Water pressure  (Read 1742 times)

Vindictus

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Water pressure
« on: October 23, 2011, 11:11:03 pm »

Hey, just had an idea. What'd happen if I built a tall water tower with a pump stack, 3 z levels above where I want to get the water to, then just used a 'pipe' made up of a simple channel/mine combination to get the water up to where I want it? Would the water pressure force the water where I want it to go, or not?
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Putnam

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2011, 11:30:53 pm »

It even works with magma!

blue emu

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2011, 11:40:09 pm »

You might want to depressurize it at the receiving end, so that it ONLY goes where you want it to go.
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Vindictus

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2011, 11:42:39 pm »

So, floodgate faucet/depressurizing system?

I can do that.
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Triaxx2

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2011, 07:17:56 am »

diagonal depressurizer works better.
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Alastar

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2011, 03:51:00 am »

I like pressure valves like this:

Code: [Select]
###########
         +########
#########
        ##########

A second door to the south would give us controls of

'both closed' shut off
'one open' flow but no pressure
'both open' pressure

but I generally prefer one pressure valve and one shutoff valve to the west.

*

I love the abiliy to turn my decorative waterfall/well/safe fishing area/whatever into a deathtrap at the flick of a lever. Selective pressure controls on the drains allow to flood the fortress up to a given level - useful if the entrance is a u-bend.
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Ashery

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2011, 12:30:45 pm »

With pumps, you don't need to drop the water to obtain pressure-like behaviour. Unless things have changed dramatically since 40d re:water behaviour, a single pump can move an astonishing amount of water.

Now, having a high level of water pressure at the pump's source is definitely a good thing, provided you want to maximize the pump's output and/or fun potential.

Love the double floodgate/valve idea, although I am a bit weary about it's default (ie if the floodgates get destroyed somehow) state being full pressure, but that could just be my paranoia speaking.
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acetech09

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2011, 12:53:49 pm »

a single pump can move an astonishing amount of water.

Yep - it pumps whatever water is in it's feeder square entirely to it's output every few ticks, I believe.

Love the double floodgate/valve idea, although I am a bit weary about it's default (ie if the floodgates get destroyed somehow) state being full pressure, but that could just be my paranoia speaking.

Yeah - I'd recommend using a simple pressure regulator unless you need more pressure.

Having a 3-option pressure regulator in the pipe right beneath your well from the cistern 15 z-levels above would be a bit to risky imo... you'd never use the extra pressure and if you pulled the wrong lever things could get ugly.
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ChairmanPoo

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2011, 02:47:47 pm »

Pressure can get nasty. Get it high enough and even a momentary opening of a door can flood the whole fortress....

It's really fun to play around with it so go ahead :)
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Quietust

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2011, 02:53:24 pm »

a single pump can move an astonishing amount of water.

Yep - it pumps whatever water is in its feeder square entirely to its output every few ticks, I believe.
Every tick, actually. Of course, in order to get the most out of it, you'll need to make sure the input tile is constantly filled with liquid, which means you'll need to keep it pressurized either via gravity (water only) or from another set of pumps (water or magma).

Also remember that pressure pathing has no concept of momentum - if you have a tall tank of water connected to a narrow pipeline, you'll just get a very large circular (well, diamond-shaped) blob of water at the opening.
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Gizogin

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2011, 02:56:14 pm »

I've been doing some experimentation with water pressure in my latest fort.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

It went well.
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Ashery

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Re: Water pressure
« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2011, 05:31:27 pm »

Love the double floodgate/valve idea, although I am a bit weary about it's default (ie if the floodgates get destroyed somehow) state being full pressure, but that could just be my paranoia speaking.

Yeah - I'd recommend using a simple pressure regulator unless you need more pressure.

Having a 3-option pressure regulator in the pipe right beneath your well from the cistern 15 z-levels above would be a bit to risky imo... you'd never use the extra pressure and if you pulled the wrong lever things could get ugly.

Hey, I just said that I loved the idea. I made no mention of it being the safest option for a very clear reason, heh.

@Gizogin: As it looks like there have been/will be no deaths, I'd say that went quite well indeed.
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