Comprehensive Guide to Nuclear Mining in Factorio

Introduction to Nuclear Mining

Introduction to Nuclear Mining

In Factorio, nuclear power is a pivotal part of late-game progression, offering immense energy output essential for advanced automation. This comprehensive guide covers the technical aspects of nuclear mining, from extracting uranium ore to processing it using the Kovarex enrichment process, ensuring you have a sustainable supply of nuclear fuel.

Mining Uranium

Uranium Ore Extraction

To start with nuclear power, you need to mine uranium ore. Uranium patches are scattered throughout the world, emitting a distinctive green glow. Here’s a step-by-step process for efficient uranium extraction:

1. Sulfuric Acid Supply: Transport sulfuric acid to the mining site using trains equipped with fluid wagons.
2. Piping System: Pipe the sulfuric acid from the train to the miners. Regular electric miners automatically adapt to uranium mining by incorporating tanks for sulfuric acid.
3. Miner Placement: Ensure each miner has access to sulfuric acid. The acid flows internally through connected miners, so external piping is not necessary for each individual miner.
4. Power Supply: Provide adequate power to the miners to start the extraction process.

Transporting Uranium Ore

Once extracted, the uranium ore needs to be transported back to your base. Use trains with cargo wagons to load the ore and bring it to your processing facilities.

Uranium Processing

Initial Processing

Back at the base, set up a uranium processing station with centrifuges to convert uranium ore into usable products:

1. Centrifuge Setup: Place centrifuges and select the uranium processing recipe.
2. Resource Input: Each centrifuge requires ten uranium ore per cycle.
3. Output Products: The process yields two primary outputs:

• Uranium-238 (common)
• Uranium-235 (rare, but crucial for fuel production)

1. Productivity Modules: Equip centrifuges with productivity modules to increase the yield, essential due to the rarity of uranium-235.

Sorting and Storage

Implement a sorting system to handle the outputs efficiently:

1. Conveyor Belts: Transport processed uranium to a sorting station.
2. Chest Setup: Use passive provider chests for uranium-238 and regular chests for uranium-235. This ensures the rare uranium-235 is securely stored and readily available for further processing.

Kovarex Enrichment Process

The Kovarex enrichment process is a game-changer for maintaining a steady supply of uranium-235. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Centrifuge Configuration: Place a centrifuge and select the Kovarex enrichment process recipe.
2. Input Requirements: The process requires 40 uranium-235 and 5 uranium-238 per cycle.
3. Output: The enrichment process returns 41 uranium-235 and 2 uranium-238, effectively producing an additional uranium-235 for each cycle.

Automation Setup

To automate the process:

1. Inserters and Chests: Use inserters to move uranium-235 between chests and the centrifuge. Set up a condition where the inserter only outputs to the belt if the chest has more than 40 uranium-235.
2. Continuous Loop: Create a loop system where enriched uranium-235 is continuously cycled back into the process, with the excess being stored or used for fuel cell production.

Nuclear Reactor Setup

Reactor Components

Building a nuclear reactor setup involves several critical components:

1. Nuclear Reactors: These are the core of your power plant, each producing 40 megawatts of energy.
2. Heat Exchangers: Convert the reactor’s heat into steam. Each exchanger handles 10 megawatts of heat.
3. Steam Turbines: Generate electricity from steam. Each turbine outputs 5.8 megawatts.

Reactor Arrays

For optimal performance, arrange reactors to maximize the neighbor bonus:

1. Single Reactor: 4 heat exchangers and 7 steam turbines.
2. Two Reactors: 16 heat exchangers and 27 steam turbines, benefiting from a 160 megawatt output due to the neighbor bonus.
3. Four Reactors: 48 heat exchangers and 83 steam turbines, producing 480 megawatts.
4. Six Reactors: 80 heat exchangers and 138 steam turbines, yielding 800 megawatts.

Heat Management

Ensure efficient heat transfer:

1. Heat Pipes: Connect reactors to heat exchangers. Keep distances short to prevent heat loss.
2. Water Supply: Maintain a steady water supply to heat exchangers using offshore pumps.

Fuel Management

Automate fuel supply and reprocessing:

1. Requestor Chests: Supply reactors with fuel cells.
2. Active Providers: Collect used-up fuel cells for reprocessing.

Conclusion

Mastering nuclear power in Factorio involves meticulous planning and optimization. From mining uranium to processing it through the Kovarex enrichment process, every step is crucial for maintaining a sustainable energy supply. Follow this guide to ensure your factory runs efficiently and meets the high demands of late-game automation.

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