Mastering Mekanism: Ore Processing from 2x, 3x, 4x to 5x
Mekanism is a powerhouse mod that revolutionizes resource management in Minecraft. One of its standout features is ore processing, allowing players to multiply their ore yields from simple 2x setups to an impressive 5x system. In this guide, we’ll break down each tier of Mekanism ore processing, the machines involved, and the returns you’ll get for both ores and raw ores. Let’s get started!
The ore multiplying in Mekanism relies on processing Ores as opposed to Raw Ores to get these even multipliers. However, you can also run Raw Ores through these machines to get less yeild per unit processed. However, by pre-processing Ores with high level fortune or other mods that yield higher returns from Ores to Raw Ores, you can boost your yield on Ores even more. That's beyond the scope of this post which focuses solely on Mekanism.
Setting up this ore processing follows a progression from 2x to 3x to 4x to 5x as you produce more and more supporting resources. 2x and 3x is quite easy and you can get this level of production very quickly and with minimal resources. You do want to get to 3x as quickly as possible because tier 4 and tier 5 are especially resource intensive. The minimal sized Evaporation plant requires a few stacks of iron which will become steel. A full height plant takes upwards of 1000 iron!
You'll also want to have your alloy and circuit production dialed in so you're not constantly running back to the metallurgic infusers for a few alloys at a time. See my recent post and video on Mekanism Alloy Automation
Below is the entire 5x ore processing setup, including the production of hydrogen chloride. I produce Oxygen and Brine elsewhere and pipe them in with Mechanical Pipes and Quantum Entangloporters.
Let's go through all the tiers or ore multiplication in Mekanism...
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Tier 1: Doubling (2x)
This is where most players start with Mekanism. The 2x ore processing setup is simple and requires minimal infrastructure. This can be done quickly after getting steel from the enrichment chamber. Though if you have reached the point where you can make this, you should proceed quickly to Tier 2!
Machines and Process:
- Insert ores into an Enrichment Chamber to produce dust.
- Smelt the dust directly in an Energized Smelter.
These machines can be placed side by side to automate the process. Use chests or barrels with logistical transporters for automated processing of different types of ores and in large quantities.
Returns:
- Ores: 2 ingots per ore.
- Raw Ores: 4 dust for 3 raw ores
Tier 2: Tripling (3x)
Tripling your ores introduces gases and chemical processes. You’ll need to set up basic gas production and management with some easy production of oxygen and hydrogen. You only need the oxygen for this, but the hydrogen is useful for the Jetpack!
This tier is where you'll be for a good while, so be sure to get a good automation process set up with input and output storage. Focus on generating enough power first with passive generation of power and then with the Gas Burning Generator and upgrading the machines to get fast production of ores. Add speed and energy upgrades as well as applying tier installers. Be sure to do this gradually so you don't over-stress your power generation.
The above picture illustrates the ore tripling process. I have oxygen being produced elsewhere with an Electrolytic Separator. You can see it getting piped in on the upper left into a Purification Chamber. The ores come into the purification chamber and get turned into clumps. This is where the tripling happens. Then the crusher, enrichment chamber, and finally the energized smelter process these clumps into ingots.
Machines and Process:
- The Electrolytic Separator splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
- The Purification Chamber uses oxygen to turn ores into clumps.
- The Crusher breaks clumps into dirty dusts.
- The Enrichment Chamber processes dirty dusts into clean dusts.
- Smelt the dusts in the Energized Smelter.
Returns:
- Ores: 3 ingots per ore.
- Raw Ores: 2 ingots per raw ore.
Tier 3: Quadrupling (4x)
Quadrupling your ore output introduces a new layer of complexity with the need for Hydrogen Chloride which we get from Chlorine and Hydrogen, of course. Chlorine comes from Brine. The starting point for brine production is an evaporation plant which is a multi-block structure. Setting this up is the topic of another post/video, but once you have reliable brine production, the rest of the process is straightforward!
Process and Machines Required:
- Chemical Injection Chamber: This single machine uses Hydrogen Chloride to turn ores into 4 shards, after which the 3x processing is used to process the shards the same way that ores are processed.
The supporting fluids and gases are produced as follows:
- Electrolytic Separator: Produces hydrogen and oxygen from water. You probably have both of these gases from other processes. We only need the hydrogen in this step, but oxygen is needed in the next tier.
- Thermal Evaporation Plant: Produces brine out of water
- Electrolytic Separator: Turns brine into chlorine and sodium. Sodium is useful later with our Fission reactor as a coolant, but for now you can pipe this off and store it, or dump it.
- Chemical Infuser: Combines hydrogen and chlorine to produce hydrogen chloride.
Process:
- The Thermal Evaporation Plant produces brine, which the Electrolytic Separator converts into chlorine.
- Hydrogen and chlorine combine in the Chemical Infuser to create hydrogen chloride.
- The Chemical Injection Chamber uses hydrogen chloride to process ores into shards.
- Follow the 3x processing steps from the Purification Chamber onward.
In this picture, you can see the Electrolytic separator on the left and the Chemical Infuser on the right. I have Quantum entangloporters moving all of the gases and powers around. The goal of this pair of machines is to turn Brine into Hydrogen Chloride which is used in the Chemical Injection chamber above.
Returns:
- Ores: 4 ingots per ore.
- Raw Ores: 4 ingots per 3 raw ores after processing.
Tier 4: Quintupling (5x)
The pinnacle of Mekanism’s ore processing system involves a more complex setup using sulfuric acid. There's a multi stage process of turning ores into slurry (dirty slurry is washed into clean) which is then crystalized with a 5x return on the ore. The process for getting sulfuric acid is also a multi-stage process from coal or charcoal. Charcoal is of course an unlimited resource if you have a tree farm. Let's break it down...
Machines Required for Ore Processing:
- Chemical Dissolution Chamber: Uses sulfuric acid to dissolve ores into dirty slurry.
- Chemical Washer: Cleans dirty slurry into clean slurry.
- Chemical Crystallizer: Turns clean slurry into crystals.
These 5 crystals can go into the 4x processing tier with the Chemical Injection Chamber and produces at 1:1 rate through the process.
Supporting Gas production
We need Sulfuric Acid for converting ores into dirty slurry at a 5 to one rate in a Chemical dissolution chamber. We get Sufuric Acid from Sulfur Trioxide, which comes from Sulfur Dioxide, which comes from sulfur, which comes from processing coal or charcoal.
- Electrolytic Separator: Produces hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is needed in this step, which you are getting already from previous steps.
- Rotary Condensentrator: Converts liquid sulfur dioxide into gas form.
- Chemical Infuser: Combines sulfur dioxide and oxygen to create sulfur trioxide, then mixes with water to make sulfuric acid.
Process:
- Use sulfuric acid in the Chemical Dissolution Chamber to convert ores into slurry.
- Clean the slurry in the Chemical Washer.
- Crystallize the clean slurry into crystals in the Chemical Crystallizer.
- Process crystals into shards, and follow the 4x processing steps from the Purification Chamber onward.
Returns:
- Ores: 5 ingots per ore.
- Raw Ores: 10 dust for 3 raw ores after processing.
Tips for Optimizing Mekanism Ore Processing:
- Silk-Touched Ores: Using silk-touched ores is the most efficient approach, giving exact multipliers of 2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x without loss.
- Raw Ores Efficiency: If you process raw ores, you can achieve up to 3.33x multiplication. Pairing with mods and high-level Fortune enchantments can yield even higher returns.
- High Returns: Pre-processing ores with Fortune and other mods can result in extremely high return rates, like 8x or more.
- Upgrade: You can upgrade your machines and transports (pipes), but don't do that too fast or you'll run out of power and upstream resources
- Energy Management: Each tier adds more energy demand, so set up robust power generation.
- Automation: Use logistical transporters, pipes, and digital miners to streamline the process.
- Location Matters: Place Thermal Evaporation Plants in hot biomes like deserts for faster brine production.
- Monitor Gases: Keep an eye on gas production and storage to avoid bottlenecks.
Conclusion
Mekanism’s ore processing system offers incredible efficiency for players willing to invest the time and resources. By advancing through each tier, you’ll maximize your ore yields and create a streamlined, automated production system. Whether you’re a casual player or a tech mod enthusiast, there’s immense satisfaction in mastering Mekanism. Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get processing!
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