In "Frostbite" scenario, vehicles consume hydrogen too quickly

Brian Vaughan shared this feedback 3 years ago
Submitted

I completed the "Frostbite" scenario last night, and I found that the vehicles that were powered by hydrogen generators consumed their hydrogen supply extremely quickly. This was especially a problem with the truck-and-trailer rig placed to haul three data modules: it went from around 75% to 25% while idling on the lift, and was down to single digits before I could dock it at the fuel station a short distance away. There was no way it could reach the landing platform on its hydrogen tankage, or even reach another fueling station; I had to install small reactors to power it.

I could believe that was intended as a design challenge, but it stuck out that the vehicle you start out with, powered by a solar panel, and the first one you find, an armored rover powered by reactors, effectively never need refueling through the duration of the scenario.

Replies (3)

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The problem with hydrogen generators isn't just one scenario, it's everywhere.

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Probably. The issue you posted is related, I think.

https://support.keenswh.com/spaceengineers/pc/topic/very-important-hydrogen-energy-generator-сonsumes-fuel-too-quickly

I thought I should post something more specifically about the scenario. I expect it was designed in part to show off the hydrogen engine and small hydrogen tank, and they've probably got design notes about how things are supposed to work, so it'd serve as a test case for tuning the hydrogen consumption.

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They made an update last year which included a welcomed hydrogen rebalance:

https://support.keenswh.com/spaceengineers/pc/announcement/update-1-197-planet-pertam-new-features-blocks-wasteland-pack


  • Improved the balance of hydrogen fuel production/consumption and storage
  • Improved the balance of components->health of hydrogen tanks

  • In other words:

    capacities increased for all tanks and reduced for all engines


    O2/H2 Generators now use 1/2 the amount of ice per second (and produce twice as much hydrogen per unit of ice). So for 1 kg of ice, we get 4x the amount of energy, but the engine still consumes 100L/s/MW


    However, despite the rebalance, I still find it hard to justify using an engine+tank vs just using two batteries for small grid


    engine: 1000 kg

    tank: 1600 kg

    total mass: 2600 kg

    Stored energy: 1.4 MWh = 505,000 L / (100L/MW) / 3600s/h

    efficiency: 0.54 kWh/kg


    2x batteries: 2080 kg

    Stored energy: 2.0 MWh

    efficiency: 0.96 kWh/kg


    So, with two batteries I get:

    • less weight
    • more energy
    • overall twice the energy per weight
    • recharging from free renewable (solar or wind)

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