Methodology
Abbreviations: CO = Crude Oil, HO = Heavy Oil, LO = Light Oil, PG = Petroleum Gas.
The efficiency of crude oil to petroleum gas processes are examined in a setup using an oil refinery, two chemical plants, an assembling machine, barrels filled with crude oil, a storage tank, and several pumps.
From left to right: In set up 1, CO-HO-LO-PG. In set up 2, CO-LO-HO-PG. In set up 3, CO-PG.
Crude oil barrels were inserted into the assembling machines, which were then emptied into the oil refinery in pairs of 2. For all starting recipes, 100 CO is required. After each pair was inserted, the empty barrels were removed and dumped into a storage container, acting as a barrel counter.
Refer to the image attached for set-up.
Results
Raw Numbers
Setup 1, CO-HO-LO-PG.
Input products: 1200 CO.
End Products: 876 PG, 29.4 LO.
Setup 2, CO-LO-HO-PG.
Input products: 1200 CO.
End Products: 1015 PG, 29.9 LO.
Setup 3, CO-PG.
Input products: 1200 CO.
End Products: 1080 PG.
Interpretation
If you were just trying to find the most efficient method to produce PG, the CO-PG method is the most material efficient and space efficient method. I don't think that its possible to reach a crude oil input multiple that results in all products being turned into PG given that ~0.5 decimal difference. Therefore, I would use the remaining 10 units of light oil to first create Solid Fuel in the Fuel Refinery, and then combine it another 10 remaining units of light oil in another refinery to produce rocket fuel.
I use renewables for power and efficiency modules to cut the pollution output, so there's no cost for energy intensity nor Biter evolution cost. I really don't know where the strange decimals are coming from, nor why there's a .5 difference in light oil end product. I assume it has to do with rounding methods. I call that close enough.
Green Energy plug:
You could also download the Green Industries mod and leave the oil in the ground where it bloody well belongs. This would please the biters, trees, and fish, and keep the water that pristine blue colour. You could also invest in a renewable energy ETF in real life and help stave off the carbon apocalypse. Just, you know, a thought.
Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3296931087
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