Core Exit Thermocouples Temperatures are monitored in accident conditions for which reactor type?

Core Exit Thermocouples Temperatures are monitored in accident conditions for which reactor type?

• A. BWR
• B. PWR
• C. Both PWR and BWR
• D. Neither

Answer: (B)

Core exit temperature is a direct indicator of how hot the fuel is getting under accident conditions, since it reflects the coolant leaving the reactor core. In pressurized water reactors, CET sensors are integrated into the safety and protection systems to monitor cooling effectiveness; if CET climbs toward the safety limit, automatic actions such as scrams or activation of emergency core cooling can occur to prevent fuel damage. This use of CET as a primary protective signal is characteristic of PWRs, while BWRs rely on different instrumentation and signals for accident management. So CET temperatures are monitored in accident conditions for PWRs.

Core exit temperature is a direct indicator of how hot the fuel is getting under accident conditions, since it reflects the coolant leaving the reactor core. In pressurized water reactors, CET sensors are integrated into the safety and protection systems to monitor cooling effectiveness; if CET climbs toward the safety limit, automatic actions such as scrams or activation of emergency core cooling can occur to prevent fuel damage. This use of CET as a primary protective signal is characteristic of PWRs, while BWRs rely on different instrumentation and signals for accident management. So CET temperatures are monitored in accident conditions for PWRs.