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Difference between revisions of "v0.34:Fuel"

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(Actually, there IS a difference - charcoal is derived from wood, but coke isn't, and Elves can tell the difference)
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:''(Disambiguation: In Dwarf Fortress, '''[[bituminous coal]]''' is not the same as "coal" - see that article if desired.)''
 
  
'''Fuel''', '''coal''', and '''refined coal''' are three in-game terms that refer the same thing, any unit of '''charcoal''' or '''coke''', the two fuels used to power high-temperature industries, namely metalworking, glassworking, and pottery.  One unit of either of these fuels is required for every task at a conventional (non-magma) [[smelter]], [[forge]], [[kiln]], or [[glass furnace]].  Magma versions of these facilities do not need fuel, and in fact cannot use conventional fuel to power them if their magma sources fail. Refined coal is also needed as part of the pig iron and steel creation process ''(see [[#Pig iron and steel production|below]])''.
+
:''In Dwarf Fortress, '''[[bituminous coal]]''' is not the same as "coal" - see that article if desired.''
  
Although both "charcoal" and "coke" are simply listed as such when viewed in the game with the {{k|k}}, they are found under the "bars" section of the [[stocks|z-stocks]] menu, and can be used to build [[vertical bars]], and so a unit of fuel is usually considered "a bar".  To place bars of fuel in a stockpile, create a Bars/Blocks stockpile, or a [[Stockpile#Custom_stockpiles|custom stockpile]] with "coal" (found in the "Bars" sub-category) {{k|e}}nabled and {{k|p}}ermitted.
 
  
==Fuel: charcoal and coke==
+
'''Fuel''', '''coal''', and '''refined coal''' are three in-game terms that refer to the same thing, any unit of '''charcoal''' or '''coke''', the two fuels used to power high-temperature industries, namely metalworking, glassworking, and pottery.  One unit of either of these fuels is required for every task at a conventional (non-magma) [[smelter]], [[forge]], [[kiln]], or [[glass furnace]].  Magma versions of these facilities do not need fuel, and in fact cannot use conventional fuel to power them if their magma sources fail.  Fuel is also used as a reactant in the pig iron and steel creation process ''(see [[#Pig iron and steel production|below]])''.
  
The two sub-types of fuel are '''''charcoal''''' and '''''coke''''', and they are ''nearly identical'' for in-game purposes, even if they come from different sources and have different in-game namesWhenever you see "fuel", "refined coal" or "coal" in-game, those refer to ''either'' charcoal or coke - they are interchangeable, and either one will serve the same purpose, as fuel for the desired activity. ([[Bituminous coal]] is ''not'' the same as "coal", and does ''not'' refer to fuel, but can be converted into coke at a [[Smelter]].)
+
Both "charcoal" and "coke" are considered [[bar]]s; they are found under the "bars" section of the [[stocks|z-stocks]] menu, stored in Bar/Block [[stockpile]]s, and can be used to build [[vertical bars]]To place bars of fuel in a stockpile, create a Bars/Blocks stockpile, or a [[Stockpile#Custom_stockpiles|custom stockpile]] with "coal" (found in the "Bars" sub-category) {{k|e}}nabled and {{k|p}}ermitted. To allow ''only'' coal in a stockpile, {{k|e}}nable "Bars/Blocks", {{k|b}}lock everything, and enable "Bars: Other Materials → Coal" (with {{k|Enter}}). There is currently no way to distinguish between "charcoal" and "coke" when designating stockpiles.
  
Both charcoal and coke come in [[bar]]s, and are stockpiled in Bars/Block [[stockpile]]s if the "coal" entry is selected within the "Bars" sectionThere is currently no way (or need) to distinguish between the two when designating stockpiles.
+
== Fuel: charcoal and coke ==
 +
The two types of fuel are '''''charcoal''''' and '''''coke''''', and they are ''nearly identical'' for in-game purposes, even though they come from different sources and have different in-game names.  Whenever you see "fuel", "refined coal" or "coal" in-game, those refer to ''either'' charcoal or coke - they are interchangeable, and either one will serve as fuel for any workshop activity. Since some understandable confusion can arise over the usage of the various terms for fuel, the simple umbrella term "fuel" will be used in the explanations in this article.   
  
At the risk of repetition, but to be perfectly clear - ''despite the different names, there is no distinction between charcoal and coke for any workshop-related activities.'' Both are "refined coal" or "coal", or just "fuel". The only actual difference between charcoal and coke has to do with [[Elf|Elven]] traders - selling them charcoal will offend them, but coke will not.
+
At the risk of repetition, but to be perfectly clear - ''despite the different names, there is no distinction between charcoal and coke for any workshop-related activities.'' Both are "refined coal" or "coal", or just "fuel". The only actual difference between charcoal and coke has to do with [[Elf|Elven]] traders - trading them charcoal will offend them, but coke will not.
  
Due to a bug, both charcoal and coke are considered [[fire-safe]] building materials.
+
== Creating fuel ==
 +
[[Wood]] does not burn hot enough for use as fuel, and (in Dwarf Fortress) raw [[bituminous coal]] and [[lignite]], though flammable, are not directly usable as fuel. Both can, however, be converted to fuel using different processes:
  
=== In-game usage ===
+
=== Charcoal, from wood===
 +
Charcoal is created at a [[wood furnace]] from a [[wood]] log by a [[dwarf]] with the [[Wood burner|Wood burning]] [[labor]] enabled. [[Skill|Skill levels]] in [[Wood burner]] reduce the time required for this activity, but do not affect the results.
  
The different terms are found in different places in the game, but all refer to the same thing, [[bar]]s of either coke or charcoal.
+
:* Required Building - [[Wood furnace]]
 +
:* Required Labor enabled - [[Wood burning]]
 +
:* Required Material - [[Wood]]
  
"Fuel" is sometimes used informally in the forums and in various wiki articles.  Since some understandable confusion can arise over the usage of the various terms "'''refined coal'''", "'''coal fuel'''", "'''coal'''", "'''charcoal'''" and "'''coke'''" (and also "[[bituminous coal]]", which is ''not'' a fuel), the simple umbrella term "fuel" will be used in the explanations in this article.
+
===Coke, from bituminous coal or lignite===
 +
Coke is a type of refined coal created at a [[smelter]] from a flammable stone by a [[dwarf]] with the [[Furnace operating|Furnace Operating]] labor enabled. [[skill|Skill levels]] in [[furnace operator]] reduce the time required for this activity, but do not affect the result.
  
 +
Coke can be created from [[bituminous coal]], producing 9 coke, or [[lignite]], producing 5 coke. At a conventional smelter one bar of fuel is required to perform this reaction, effectively reducing the net yield by one bar.
 +
 +
:*Required Building - [[Smelter]] or [[Magma smelter]]
 +
:*Required Labor enabled - [[Furnace operating]]
 +
:*Required Material - [[Bituminous coal]] or [[lignite]]
 +
:*Required Fuel - one unit of fuel per job at a conventional smelter
 +
 +
Bituminous coal and lignite [[block]]s (sometimes offered by [[trader]]s) can neither be used as fuel nor converted into fuel in any way. They can only be used for standard block purposes -- though they are of course ''not'' [[fire-safe]]!
 +
 +
Because you need fuel in order to refine coke at a standard smelter, you may need to create at least one unit of charcoal at a Wood Burner first, [[trade|import]] a bar of fuel, or skip directly to [[#Magma facilities|magma power]].
 +
 +
==Error messages==
 
At a conventional (non-magma) [[smelter]], if you try to add a smelting task and have no fuel, you will see the message:
 
At a conventional (non-magma) [[smelter]], if you try to add a smelting task and have no fuel, you will see the message:
  
:<div style="color:white; background-color:black; width:20em; font-weight:bold"><tt>No tasks available<br />Check for raw material access<br /><br />and fuel if necessary</tt></div>
+
<diagram fg="white">
:''(Note that this message will also be seen if there is no [[path]] to your workshop or needed materials, including fuel.)''
+
No tasks available
 +
Check for raw material access
 +
and fuel if necessary
 +
</diagram>
 +
:''(Note that this message will also be seen if there is no [[path]] to your workshop or needed materials, including fuel, or if the necessary materials aren't in any linked [[stockpile]]s.)''
  
 
You will not be allowed to add any tasks to any conventional smelter until that workshop has access to at least one unit of either charcoal or coke. (However, if you have just one bar of un-used fuel, you can queue up as many jobs as you want - see next...)
 
You will not be allowed to add any tasks to any conventional smelter until that workshop has access to at least one unit of either charcoal or coke. (However, if you have just one bar of un-used fuel, you can queue up as many jobs as you want - see next...)
 
  
 
If you have queued up multiple tasks and then run out of fuel, you will get an [[announcement]] similar to:
 
If you have queued up multiple tasks and then run out of fuel, you will get an [[announcement]] similar to:
Line 37: Line 56:
 
Note that a forge or glass furnace ''will'' let you add tasks if you have no fuel, and only once a dwarf arrives and finds they cannot complete that task will you get the announcement to that effect.  You will get one announcement for each un-fueled task that is unable to be completed. Jobs are canceled when there is no fuel.
 
Note that a forge or glass furnace ''will'' let you add tasks if you have no fuel, and only once a dwarf arrives and finds they cannot complete that task will you get the announcement to that effect.  You will get one announcement for each un-fueled task that is unable to be completed. Jobs are canceled when there is no fuel.
  
When you get either of these messages, you need more fuel - either charcoal or coke will serve equally well.
+
When you get either of these messages, you need more fuel - either charcoal or coke will serve equally well.
  
'''Coal''' is the generic term used in the [[stockpile]] menuIt refers to a [[bar]] of either charcoal or coke.
+
== Magma facilities ==
 +
Magma replaces conventional fuel for [[magma smelter]]s, [[magma forge]]s, [[magma kiln]]s and [[magma glass furnace]]sNo fuel is needed, nor can it be used, for activities at these facilities.  Note that you will still need charcoal or coke as a reactant for smelting bars of [[pig iron]] and [[steel]]. (And see next section.)
  
== The two sub-types of fuel ==
+
== Pig iron and steel production ==
There are 2 sub-types of conventional fuel - [[charcoal]] and [[coke]].  Charcoal and coke are identical in use - a single unit of either one powers one activity at a conventional smelter, forge, kiln or glass furnace, or can serve as the ingredient to make [[pig iron]] or [[steel]].  They are completely interchangeable, the only difference is their source.
+
When [[smelting]] [[pig iron]] or [[steel]] at any location, one unit of either charcoal or coke is required in the reaction as a source of carbon. Again, there is no distinction - both charcoal and coke serve equally well in the production of [[bar]]s of either. This is in addition to the unit of fuel that is needed to power the furnace at conventional (non-magma) smelters.
 
 
[[Wood]] does not burn hot enough to fuel these activities or facilities, and (in Dwarf Fortress) you cannot burn raw [[bituminous coal]] or [[lignite]] (although they are flammable).
 
  
=== Charcoal, from wood===
+
==Bugs==
Charcoal is created at a [[wood furnace]] using one [[wood]] log by a [[dwarf]] with the [[Wood burner|Wood burning]] [[labor]] enabled. [[Skill|Skill levels]] in the [[Wood burner]] [[skill]] are not required but reduce the time required for this activity.
+
* Both charcoal and coke are considered [[fire-safe]] building materials.{{bug|5011}}
 +
* If a piece of charcoal or coke (or an item made of these materials) happens to fall in lava, it can generate smoke for several months {{bug|5536}} (related: {{bug|3437}}), causing unhappy [[thought]]s to dwarves that happen to pass by.
 +
  
:* Required Building - [[Wood furnace]]
+
{{D for dwarf}}
:* Required Labor enabled - [[Wood burning]]
+
* Dwarven Mayors will never exhibit an unquenchable thirst for more coke and the production of more is never mandated. This stands in contrast to certain real world (Toronto) mayors.
:* Required Material - [[Wood]]
 
 
 
===Coke, from bituminous coal or lignite===
 
Coke is a type of refined coal, and is identical to charcoal for all game purposes. It is created at a [[smelter]] using one unit of fuel by a [[dwarf]] with the [[Furnace operating|Furnace Operating]] labor enabled. [[skill|Skill levels]] in the [[Furnace operator]] skill are not required but reduce the time required for this activity.
 
 
 
Coke can be created from [[bituminous coal]], producing 9 coke (net gain of 8 fuel), or [[lignite]], producing 5 coke (net gain of 4 fuel). Magma smelters do not require conventional fuel for this process, and so the net yield for each is effectively +1 greater.
 
 
 
:*Required Building - [[Smelter]] or [[Magma smelter]]
 
:*Required Labor enabled - [[Furnace operating]]
 
:*Required Material - [[Bituminous coal]] or [[lignite]]
 
::::::  - ''plus'' one unit of fuel per unit smelted, if at a conventional smelter
 
 
 
Bituminous coal [[block]]s and lignite blocks (sometimes offered by [[trader]]s) can neither be used as fuel nor converted into fuel or back into stones in any way. They can only be used for standard block purposes -- though they are of course ''not'' [[fire-safe]]!
 
 
 
Because you need fuel in order to refine fuel, you will probably need to create at least one unit of charcoal at a Wood Burner first.
 
 
 
== Magma facilities ==
 
Magma replaces conventional fuel for [[magma smelter]]s, [[magma forge]]s, [[magma kiln]]s and [[magma glass furnace]]s.  No fuel is needed, nor can it be used, for activities at these facilities.  Note that you will still need charcoal or coke for smelting bars of [[pig iron]] and [[steel]]. (And see next section.)
 
 
 
== Pig iron and steel production ==
 
Note that when [[smelting]] [[pig iron]] or [[steel]] at any location, one unit of either charcoal or coke is required in the reaction (presumably as carbon). Again, there is no distinction - both charcoal and coke serve equally well in the production of [[bar]]s of either. An additional unit of fuel is needed to power the furnace at conventional (non-magma) smelters.
 
  
----
+
==See also==
'''See Also:'''
 
 
:* [[Smelting]]
 
:* [[Smelting]]
 
:* [[Fuel industry]]
 
:* [[Fuel industry]]

Latest revision as of 18:56, 6 June 2014

This article is about an older version of DF.
In Dwarf Fortress, bituminous coal is not the same as "coal" - see that article if desired.


Fuel, coal, and refined coal are three in-game terms that refer to the same thing, any unit of charcoal or coke, the two fuels used to power high-temperature industries, namely metalworking, glassworking, and pottery. One unit of either of these fuels is required for every task at a conventional (non-magma) smelter, forge, kiln, or glass furnace. Magma versions of these facilities do not need fuel, and in fact cannot use conventional fuel to power them if their magma sources fail. Fuel is also used as a reactant in the pig iron and steel creation process (see below).

Both "charcoal" and "coke" are considered bars; they are found under the "bars" section of the z-stocks menu, stored in Bar/Block stockpiles, and can be used to build vertical bars. To place bars of fuel in a stockpile, create a Bars/Blocks stockpile, or a custom stockpile with "coal" (found in the "Bars" sub-category) enabled and permitted. To allow only coal in a stockpile, enable "Bars/Blocks", block everything, and enable "Bars: Other Materials → Coal" (with Enter). There is currently no way to distinguish between "charcoal" and "coke" when designating stockpiles.

Fuel: charcoal and coke[edit]

The two types of fuel are charcoal and coke, and they are nearly identical for in-game purposes, even though they come from different sources and have different in-game names. Whenever you see "fuel", "refined coal" or "coal" in-game, those refer to either charcoal or coke - they are interchangeable, and either one will serve as fuel for any workshop activity. Since some understandable confusion can arise over the usage of the various terms for fuel, the simple umbrella term "fuel" will be used in the explanations in this article.

At the risk of repetition, but to be perfectly clear - despite the different names, there is no distinction between charcoal and coke for any workshop-related activities. Both are "refined coal" or "coal", or just "fuel". The only actual difference between charcoal and coke has to do with Elven traders - trading them charcoal will offend them, but coke will not.

Creating fuel[edit]

Wood does not burn hot enough for use as fuel, and (in Dwarf Fortress) raw bituminous coal and lignite, though flammable, are not directly usable as fuel. Both can, however, be converted to fuel using different processes:

Charcoal, from wood[edit]

Charcoal is created at a wood furnace from a wood log by a dwarf with the Wood burning labor enabled. Skill levels in Wood burner reduce the time required for this activity, but do not affect the results.

Coke, from bituminous coal or lignite[edit]

Coke is a type of refined coal created at a smelter from a flammable stone by a dwarf with the Furnace Operating labor enabled. Skill levels in furnace operator reduce the time required for this activity, but do not affect the result.

Coke can be created from bituminous coal, producing 9 coke, or lignite, producing 5 coke. At a conventional smelter one bar of fuel is required to perform this reaction, effectively reducing the net yield by one bar.

Bituminous coal and lignite blocks (sometimes offered by traders) can neither be used as fuel nor converted into fuel in any way. They can only be used for standard block purposes -- though they are of course not fire-safe!

Because you need fuel in order to refine coke at a standard smelter, you may need to create at least one unit of charcoal at a Wood Burner first, import a bar of fuel, or skip directly to magma power.

Error messages[edit]

At a conventional (non-magma) smelter, if you try to add a smelting task and have no fuel, you will see the message:

No tasks available           
Check for raw material access
and fuel if necessary        
(Note that this message will also be seen if there is no path to your workshop or needed materials, including fuel, or if the necessary materials aren't in any linked stockpiles.)

You will not be allowed to add any tasks to any conventional smelter until that workshop has access to at least one unit of either charcoal or coke. (However, if you have just one bar of un-used fuel, you can queue up as many jobs as you want - see next...)

If you have queued up multiple tasks and then run out of fuel, you will get an announcement similar to:

"Urist McFuelUser cancels job: needs refined coal."

Note that a forge or glass furnace will let you add tasks if you have no fuel, and only once a dwarf arrives and finds they cannot complete that task will you get the announcement to that effect. You will get one announcement for each un-fueled task that is unable to be completed. Jobs are canceled when there is no fuel.

When you get either of these messages, you need more fuel - either charcoal or coke will serve equally well.

Magma facilities[edit]

Magma replaces conventional fuel for magma smelters, magma forges, magma kilns and magma glass furnaces. No fuel is needed, nor can it be used, for activities at these facilities. Note that you will still need charcoal or coke as a reactant for smelting bars of pig iron and steel. (And see next section.)

Pig iron and steel production[edit]

When smelting pig iron or steel at any location, one unit of either charcoal or coke is required in the reaction as a source of carbon. Again, there is no distinction - both charcoal and coke serve equally well in the production of bars of either. This is in addition to the unit of fuel that is needed to power the furnace at conventional (non-magma) smelters.

Bugs[edit]

  • Both charcoal and coke are considered fire-safe building materials.Bug:5011
  • If a piece of charcoal or coke (or an item made of these materials) happens to fall in lava, it can generate smoke for several months Bug:5536 (related: Bug:3437), causing unhappy thoughts to dwarves that happen to pass by.


D4Dwarf.png This article or section has been rated D for Dwarf. It may include witty humour, not-so-witty humour, bad humour, in-jokes, pop culture references, and references to the Bay12 forums. Don't believe everything you read, and if you miss some of the references, don't worry. It was inevitable.


  • Dwarven Mayors will never exhibit an unquenchable thirst for more coke and the production of more is never mandated. This stands in contrast to certain real world (Toronto) mayors.

See also[edit]