Quadratic reactivity fuel-cycle model stability

The asymptotic cycle behaviour for any order of M-batch refuelling and the transient behaviour for the 2-batch system are investigated for a normalized quadratic reactivity-burnup model for physically realistic representations, and found to give useful (and stable) results. In this regime, transients converge to the equilibrium solution. The 2-batch system characteristics are further explored for less physical quadratic reactivity curves, and several interesting features are revealed; in particular, a regime in which two possible steady-state cycle times exist is discovered. (author)