Bug: Oil -> Petroleum conversion with Metal refinery doesn't work if there is oil spill on the ground

[cannotplantbria]

The metal refinery can be used to convert oil to petroleum by using oil as coolant. When the oil reaches above 400 degrees, it will become petroleum when leaving the refinery, breaking the pipe and spilling on the ground.

 

BUT: If there is an oil spill on the tile below the pipe, the petroleum conversion does not happen, instead it just spills crude oil.

 

See screenshots provided. I can upload a savegame too if anyone wants to try it out. 

 

[Tigin]

It's merging with the crude oil on the ground first, which might put it below its boiling point

[imazined]

Or touching any of the debris in the cell first. It stays as crude oil until it's next heat exchange calculation. If this calculation results in it's colder than the transition point it just doesn't.

[asurendra]

It works the same way with any droplets. Merging first, then boiling if possible. Some builds like super heated Research reactor highly relies on that mechanic

[cannotplantbria]

I've found that the easiest way to get around this is to use mesh tiles below the refinery. Then the output petroleum falls through the mesh tile and does not interact with the things lying on the ground. So we can produce lots of steel and iron and leave it there.