Differential Generator

The Differential Generator is a power-producing building that converts combustible fuels together with Cryofluid into electrical output by exploiting temperature differences, conceptually similar to thermoelectric generation. It appears as a mid-to-late game alternative to Steam Generators and Thorium Reactors: it can burn a variety of fuel items (Coal, Spore Pod, Pyratite) while requiring Cryofluid as a secondary input. The Differential Generator produces 1080 power per second on a cycle time of 3.666 seconds, making it a substantial stationary power source when Cryofluid supply and diverse mined inputs are available.

In practice the Differential Generator occupies a niche between Steam Generators and Thorium Reactors. When fueled with Coal it produces roughly the same raw power as about 3.27 Steam Generators, about 2.85 when using Spore Pods, and about ~2.34 when using Pyratite. However, because each Differential takes longer to complete a production cycle, it consumes far less fuel per real-time second than a single Steam Generator — around 40.3% of the fuel consumption of one Steam Generator over the same run time. This makes it fuel-efficient but dependent on Cryofluid production infrastructure: Cryofluid Mixers require water, titanium, and some power to operate, so the Differential’s practical cost includes those upstream inputs.

Compared to Thorium Reactors, Differential Generators are less advantageous where thorium is abundant. A Differential requires inputs from four different mined resources (coal, sand, lead, titanium when using mixed fuel paths), whereas a Thorium Reactor requires only thorium and titanium. Thorium Reactors also use Cryofluid more efficiently (a 5:1 ratio versus the Differential’s 2:1 ratio), and they provide higher energy density per mined unit. The Differential Generator does, however, have an important safety advantage: it does not explode, so it cannot chain-react with nearby Impact Reactors or other volatile structures.

Because of its input profile, the Differential Generator integrates well into certain setups:

• Use Cryofluid Mixers to supply Cryofluid; two Cryofluid Mixers can support one Differential and one Impact Reactor with a small surplus if balanced carefully. This makes Differentials viable as bootstrap power for an Impact Reactor without committing thorium inputs.
• A Differential can be used alongside a Large Battery and Logic Processors to create a controlled bootstrap sequence for an Impact Reactor: pre-charge the battery and enable the reactor only when sufficient stored energy ensures a full startup cycle.
• Redirect surplus Pyratite from Silicon Crucibles into a Differential to reduce fire hazard and offset power draw. Silicon Crucibles store up to 30 Pyratite and consume 0.6 Pyratite/sec, which commonly generates excess Pyratite; routing that excess to a Differential removes an incendiary weak point. Two Pyratite Mixers can support two crucibles and a generator; four mixers can support four crucibles and two generators, and a single Cryofluid Mixer can often support that configuration.
• Differentials attract enemy Flares, so place them with some defensive consideration or away from vulnerable infrastructure.

The Differential Generator is best used where fuel diversity and Cryofluid production are available and where explosion-free steady power is preferable to denser but riskier reactors. It fills a strategic role as a stable, relatively fuel-efficient power source that can interact tightly with Pyratite-based production chains and reactor bootstrap strategies.