Identify ways a core can fail.

Identify ways a core can fail.

• A. Minor sensor drift.
• B. Any loss of core geometry, particularly into a configuration where cooling becomes impractical.
• C. Normal startup transients.
• D. Small power fluctuations.

Answer: (B)

A real core failure occurs when the core’s physical arrangement degrades cooling capability. If the core geometry changes to a shape or configuration that blocks or severely restricts coolant flow, heat removal becomes impractical or impossible. That directly compromises fuel integrity and safety because overheating can happen and control systems may no longer be able to maintain safe conditions. Minor sensor drift is a measurement issue, not a physical failure of the core itself. Normal startup transients are expected, supervised events and managed within design limits. Small power fluctuations are typical and generally handled by feedback control without causing a core failure. So, only the loss of core geometry that prevents effective cooling describes a true core failure scenario.

A real core failure occurs when the core’s physical arrangement degrades cooling capability. If the core geometry changes to a shape or configuration that blocks or severely restricts coolant flow, heat removal becomes impractical or impossible. That directly compromises fuel integrity and safety because overheating can happen and control systems may no longer be able to maintain safe conditions.

Minor sensor drift is a measurement issue, not a physical failure of the core itself. Normal startup transients are expected, supervised events and managed within design limits. Small power fluctuations are typical and generally handled by feedback control without causing a core failure.

So, only the loss of core geometry that prevents effective cooling describes a true core failure scenario.