.

de_react_auto

@@ -54,8 +54,9 @@ local CONFIG = {
     max_temperature = 8000,        -- Emergency shutdown above this (Kelvin)
     critical_temperature = 7500,   -- Start reducing output at this temp
 
-    -- Saturation threshold for fuel conversion
+    -- Saturation control for optimal fuel conversion
     min_saturation = 0.20,         -- Below this, reactor produces less power
+    target_saturation = 0.45,      -- Target saturation for optimal output (lower = more power)
 
     -- Update intervals (in seconds)
     update_interval = 0.1,         -- Main loop speed (faster = more responsive)
@@ -402,22 +403,47 @@ local function calculateOutputRate()
         result = math.floor(generationRate * 0.8)
         reason = state .. " - 80% of generation"
     else
-        -- Normal operation
+        -- Normal operation with saturation targeting
         local tempFactor = 1.0
+        local tempCritical = false
         if temp > CONFIG.critical_temperature then
             local overTemp = temp - CONFIG.critical_temperature
             local tempRange = CONFIG.max_temperature - CONFIG.critical_temperature
             tempFactor = 1.0 - (overTemp / tempRange) * 0.5
-            reason = "temp " .. formatTemp(temp) .. " > critical, factor=" .. string.format("%.2f", tempFactor)
+            tempCritical = true
         end
 
-        local outputRate = generationRate * tempFactor
+        -- Saturation-based output adjustment
+        -- Target saturation for optimal fuel conversion (lower sat = more power)
+        local targetSat = CONFIG.target_saturation
+        local satError = saturation - targetSat  -- positive = too high, negative = too low
 
-        if saturation > 0.8 then
-            outputRate = generationRate * 1.1 * tempFactor
-            if reason == "" then reason = "high saturation (110%)" end
-        elseif reason == "" then
-            reason = "normal operation"
+        -- Scale factor: adjust output by up to 50% based on saturation error
+        local satFactor = 1.0 + satError
+        satFactor = math.max(0.5, math.min(1.5, satFactor))  -- Clamp to 50%-150%
+
+        -- IMPORTANT: If temperature is critical, don't increase output to drain saturation
+        -- Temperature safety takes priority over saturation optimization
+        if tempCritical and satFactor > 1.0 then
+            satFactor = 1.0  -- Cap at 100%, don't try to drain saturation when hot
+        end
+
+        local outputRate = generationRate * tempFactor * satFactor
+
+        -- Build reason string
+        local satPct = string.format("%.0f%%", saturation * 100)
+        local targetPct = string.format("%.0f%%", targetSat * 100)
+        if tempCritical then
+            reason = "TEMP CRITICAL " .. formatTemp(temp) .. ", factor=" .. string.format("%.2f", tempFactor)
+            if satFactor < 1.0 then
+                reason = reason .. ", sat " .. satPct .. " low"
+            end
+        elseif satError > 0.05 then
+            reason = "sat " .. satPct .. " > " .. targetPct .. " target, +" .. string.format("%.0f%%", (satFactor - 1) * 100) .. " output"
+        elseif satError < -0.05 then
+            reason = "sat " .. satPct .. " < " .. targetPct .. " target, " .. string.format("%.0f%%", (satFactor - 1) * 100) .. " output"
+        else
+            reason = "sat " .. satPct .. " at target"
         end
 
         result = math.max(0, math.floor(outputRate))