Difference between revisions of "Resource harvester"

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(Total overhaul of structure and content. (Cooling section in particular still requires more research.))
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The '''resource harvester''' is a special [[part]], able to extract some kind of [[resource]]s from the environment. ''(Now Kerbals can use these parts to extract only [[ore]] from the surface of a [[celestial body]])''. The drill must be connected to an [[ore tank]] in order for it to be able to extract any ore.
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"'''Resource Harvester'''" is an operating mode of the [['Drill-O-Matic'_Mining_Excavator]] and [['Drill-O-Matic Junior' Mining Excavator]] [[part]]s, used to harvest [[ore]] from the surface of a [[celestial body]] ([[planet]] or [[moon]]). They also have "[[Asteroid]] Drill" mode.  
  
 +
In order to function drills require [[electric charge]] and an [[ore tank]] with remaining capacity. Their extraction rate is greatly dependant on the presence, and level, of an [[engineer]] aboard the craft. To maintain optimal speed the drills also generally require their 'core heat' to be cooled using [[radiator]]s.
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==Resource harvester parts==
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{{Stats table drills}}
 
==Uses==
 
==Uses==
 
[[File:'Drill-O-Matic'_Junior_(dep_comp).png|thumb|left|220px|Deployed and retracted state]]
 
[[File:'Drill-O-Matic'_Junior_(dep_comp).png|thumb|left|220px|Deployed and retracted state]]
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The primary use for the Drill-O-Matic is for mining. If a player positions the drill on an area with a nominal amount of ore beneath the surface - the junior version has an abundance limit - are which can be determined by completing planetary scans with [[resource scanner]]s, the player can use the drill to collect ore that can be turned into [[liquid fuel]], [[oxidizer]] or [[monopropellant]] with a [[converter]]. A qualified engineer will increase the output efficiency (however more than one engineer will have no additional effect). Although this type is far smaller than the basic model, but this gadget can be used only on the more abundant deposits.
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The primary use for the Drill-O-Matics is mining. This is achieved by positioning a drill on a surface area with a nominal concentration of ore and deploying the drill head into the ground.
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When deployed, the drill head and extended shaft pass straight through craft and surfaces, but the drill housing at the top may collide with objects as it swings out (and so can be used to lift up the part attached to the drill). To activate surface harvesting, the drill head should be below (or slightly above) the surface of a celestial body.
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A drill will produce ore faster at a site with higher ore concentration. These can be located by completing planetary scans with [[resource scanner]]s. The Drill-O-Matic Junior requires a local concentration of at least 2.5% in order to initiate surface harvesting.  
  
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Though not designed for this purpose, the drill can be used to lift up the part that it is connected to, though this can lead to the drill flipping over or breaking.
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Collected ore can subsequently be turned into [[liquid fuel]], [[oxidizer]] or [[monopropellant]] using a [[converter]], or returned to [[Kerbin]] to complete specific [[contracts]].
  
 
==Ore extraction rate==
 
==Ore extraction rate==
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While the drill is active, it extracts ore depending on the ore concentration in the area, and the presence and level of engineer on-board. The ore extraction rate can be counted by next simple equation:
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{|
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An [[engineer]] will increase a drill's output efficiency according to their level (number of stars), while aboard the craft (including in an [[EAS-1 External Command Seat]]). However, more than one engineer will have no additional effect - only the highest level is counted. Electricity consumption (and possibly heat production) also scales up with the engineer level multiplier. Since version 1.0.1 the Drill-O-Matic will not produce [[overheating]].
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<br><big>''0.015·c·m''</big>
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:where "''c''" is the concentration between 0 and 1 and "''m''" is the multiplier supplied by the level of the highest level [[engineer]] on-board.  
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While the drill is active, it extracts ore depending on the type of celestial body, the ore concentration in the area, the core temperature and the presence and level of an engineer on-board. The ore extraction rate is '''B·c·T·m''' where:
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* "'''B'''" is the base rate:
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{| class="wikitable"
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! Drill-O-Matic
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! Planet or Moon
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! Asteroid
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|-
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| '''Junior'''
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| 0.3 ore/s
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| 1.0 ore/s
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|-
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| '''(Senior)'''
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| 1.5 ore/s
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| 5.0 ore/s
 
|}
 
|}
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These are as follows:
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* "'''c'''" is the local ore concentration between 0 and 100% (always 100% for asteroids).
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* "'''T'''" is the thermal efficiency displayed in the drill menu (100% at 500K, less at higher or lower temperatures).
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* "'''m'''" is the multiplier supplied by the level of the highest level [[engineer]] on-board. These are as follows:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Level !! Multiplier
 
! Level !! Multiplier
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{mark|0star}} || 5x
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| No Engineer || 5%
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{mark|1star}} || 9x
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| {{mark|0star}} || 25%
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{mark|2star}} || 13x
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| {{mark|1star}} || 45%
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{mark|3star}} || 17x
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| {{mark|2star}} || 65%
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{mark|4star}} || 21x
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| {{mark|3star}} || 85%
 
|-
 
|-
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| {{mark|5star}} || 25x
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| {{mark|4star}} || 105%
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|-
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| {{mark|5star}} || 125%
 
|}
 
|}
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== Available parts ==
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'''Note:''' The drill displays '''B·c''' as "Ore rate" and '''T·m''' as "X% load". The effective ore generation rate can be calculated by multiplying those two values.
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{{Stats table drills}}
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== Electric Charge Consumption ==
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On a planetary body or moon, charge used per second varies greatly, scaling up with engineer level, but also with thermal efficiency (as the drill core gradually warms up).
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Drill-O-Matic Junior rate = '''T·m·3''' = '''"X% load"·3''' ⚡/s
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Drill-O-Matic (Senior) rate = '''T·m·15''' = '''"X% load"·15''' ⚡/s  (E.g. 0.75 ⚡/s with no engineer, to 18.75 ⚡/s with a 5 star engineer, while at 100% thermal efficiency.)
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Asteroid harvesting mode consumes a flat rate of charge under all circumstances (provided there is space to store ore): Junior = 0.3⚡/s. Senior = 1.5⚡/s.
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== Cooling ==
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"Thermal efficiency" relates to the "core temperature" of a drill via fairly steep bell shaped curve, peaking at 100% at a temperature of 500K, falling away quickly at higher and lower temperatures (down to under 10% below 250K or over 750K).
 +
 
 +
When activated, a drill's core temperature will start out at (or somewhat below) ambient temperature of the part, rising slowly towards optimal over the course of very roughly 50 seconds. Radiators only transfer heat out of a drill core once it is above the 500k target temperature, so will not slow it reaching optimal.
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Core cooling is most restricted by a drill's "Max Cooling" cap (e.g. stated as 50kW for the Drill-O-Matic Junior), rather than the heat dissipation capacity of [[radiator]]s (with even the smallest being far more capable).
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When asteroid harvesting, it is not possible to prevent a drill exceeding optimal temperature with a top level engineer of only 3 stars or lower. Engineers appear to also improve cooling effects, or raise caps, in this context.
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In practice it is not possible to cause a drill to shut down from overheating using only internal heat generation - seemingly the heating effect diminishes as the thermal efficiency falls off, thus reaching an equilibrium with the heat lost to connected parts and surroundings before hitting 1000k.

Revision as of 19:19, 10 March 2017

"Resource Harvester" is an operating mode of the 'Drill-O-Matic'_Mining_Excavator and 'Drill-O-Matic Junior' Mining Excavator parts, used to harvest ore from the surface of a celestial body (planet or moon). They also have "Asteroid Drill" mode.

In order to function drills require electric charge and an ore tank with remaining capacity. Their extraction rate is greatly dependant on the presence, and level, of an engineer aboard the craft. To maintain optimal speed the drills also generally require their 'core heat' to be cooled using radiators.

Resource harvester parts

Image Part Radial size Cost
(Funds)		 Mass
(t)		 Max. Temp.
(K)		 Tolerance
(m/s)		 Tolerance
(g) 		Electricity
(⚡/s)
'Drill-O-Matic Junior' Mining Excavator.png
 'Drill-O-Matic Junior' Mining Excavator Radial mounted 1 000 0.25 2000 7 50 3
DrillOMatic.png
 'Drill-O-Matic' Mining Excavator Radial mounted 6 000 1.25 2000 7 50 15

Uses

Deployed and retracted state

The primary use for the Drill-O-Matics is mining. This is achieved by positioning a drill on a surface area with a nominal concentration of ore and deploying the drill head into the ground.

When deployed, the drill head and extended shaft pass straight through craft and surfaces, but the drill housing at the top may collide with objects as it swings out (and so can be used to lift up the part attached to the drill). To activate surface harvesting, the drill head should be below (or slightly above) the surface of a celestial body.

A drill will produce ore faster at a site with higher ore concentration. These can be located by completing planetary scans with resource scanners. The Drill-O-Matic Junior requires a local concentration of at least 2.5% in order to initiate surface harvesting.

Collected ore can subsequently be turned into liquid fuel, oxidizer or monopropellant using a converter, or returned to Kerbin to complete specific contracts.

Ore extraction rate

An engineer will increase a drill's output efficiency according to their level (number of stars), while aboard the craft (including in an EAS-1 External Command Seat). However, more than one engineer will have no additional effect - only the highest level is counted. Electricity consumption (and possibly heat production) also scales up with the engineer level multiplier. Since version 1.0.1 the Drill-O-Matic will not produce overheating.

While the drill is active, it extracts ore depending on the type of celestial body, the ore concentration in the area, the core temperature and the presence and level of an engineer on-board. The ore extraction rate is B·c·T·m where:

  • "B" is the base rate:
Drill-O-Matic Planet or Moon Asteroid
Junior 0.3 ore/s 1.0 ore/s
(Senior) 1.5 ore/s 5.0 ore/s
  • "c" is the local ore concentration between 0 and 100% (always 100% for asteroids).
  • "T" is the thermal efficiency displayed in the drill menu (100% at 500K, less at higher or lower temperatures).
  • "m" is the multiplier supplied by the level of the highest level engineer on-board. These are as follows:
Level Multiplier
No Engineer 5%
☆☆☆☆☆ 25%
★☆☆☆☆ 45%
★★☆☆☆ 65%
★★★☆☆ 85%
★★★★☆ 105%
★★★★★ 125%

Note: The drill displays B·c as "Ore rate" and T·m as "X% load". The effective ore generation rate can be calculated by multiplying those two values.

Electric Charge Consumption

On a planetary body or moon, charge used per second varies greatly, scaling up with engineer level, but also with thermal efficiency (as the drill core gradually warms up).

Drill-O-Matic Junior rate = T·m·3 = "X% load"·3 ⚡/s

Drill-O-Matic (Senior) rate = T·m·15 = "X% load"·15 ⚡/s (E.g. 0.75 ⚡/s with no engineer, to 18.75 ⚡/s with a 5 star engineer, while at 100% thermal efficiency.)

Asteroid harvesting mode consumes a flat rate of charge under all circumstances (provided there is space to store ore): Junior = 0.3⚡/s. Senior = 1.5⚡/s.

Cooling

"Thermal efficiency" relates to the "core temperature" of a drill via fairly steep bell shaped curve, peaking at 100% at a temperature of 500K, falling away quickly at higher and lower temperatures (down to under 10% below 250K or over 750K).

When activated, a drill's core temperature will start out at (or somewhat below) ambient temperature of the part, rising slowly towards optimal over the course of very roughly 50 seconds. Radiators only transfer heat out of a drill core once it is above the 500k target temperature, so will not slow it reaching optimal.

Core cooling is most restricted by a drill's "Max Cooling" cap (e.g. stated as 50kW for the Drill-O-Matic Junior), rather than the heat dissipation capacity of radiators (with even the smallest being far more capable).

When asteroid harvesting, it is not possible to prevent a drill exceeding optimal temperature with a top level engineer of only 3 stars or lower. Engineers appear to also improve cooling effects, or raise caps, in this context.

In practice it is not possible to cause a drill to shut down from overheating using only internal heat generation - seemingly the heating effect diminishes as the thermal efficiency falls off, thus reaching an equilibrium with the heat lost to connected parts and surroundings before hitting 1000k.

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