The Effect of Temperature on Xenon Instability

The space-independent dynamics of a reactor controlled by xenon and temperature effects is investigated. The boundedness of the solutions for a reactor with a prompt, negative flux coefficient is shown. Criteria are developed for reactor stability. The effect of delayed neutrons and of the time lag between power and temperature on xenon stability is considered and shown to be generally negligible. Nonlinear effects are shown to be important for reactors with negative as well as positive temperature coefficients.