Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/factorio/comments/1to5t2d/raw_coal_vs_processed_fuel/

This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/factorio by /u/Rudelke on 2026-05-26 12:42:39+00:00.

Hi!

I've been making some calculations today regarding powering my steam engine power plant.

I can use raw coal and get 4MJ of energy per coal unit.

Or I could use the same coal and some tools and turn it into solid fuel. Here is what I calculated:

I could use 20 coal (easier to calculate) and liquify it.

Output gets (mostly) cracked to light oil.

Light oil gets solidified.

IF I calculated it right I am inputting under 100MJ of energy (coal, steam, chemical plant usage) and I am getting out 13 cubes of solid fuel worth 12MJ each coming out to 156MJ of usable energy! (And some Heavy oil and petroleum gas left overs I didn't bother to calculate)

Am I doing this wrong or is liquifying coal over 50% more efficient than using raw coal?