Damaged fuel is identified if which condition occurs?

Damaged fuel is identified if which condition occurs?

• A. Cladding blistering
• B. Normal cladding
• C. Adequate cooling
• D. Low burnup

Answer: (A)

Damaged fuel is identified when the cladding, the outer barrier around the fuel, shows signs of failure. Cladding blistering is a telltale sign because it indicates the cladding has swollen or deformed from internal gas buildup and overheating, meaning the barrier has been breached and fission products could escape into the coolant. Normal cladding means the barrier is intact, adequate cooling means heat is being removed and overheating isn’t occurring, and low burnup is simply a measure of irradiation exposure, not a sign of cladding damage.

Damaged fuel is identified when the cladding, the outer barrier around the fuel, shows signs of failure. Cladding blistering is a telltale sign because it indicates the cladding has swollen or deformed from internal gas buildup and overheating, meaning the barrier has been breached and fission products could escape into the coolant. Normal cladding means the barrier is intact, adequate cooling means heat is being removed and overheating isn’t occurring, and low burnup is simply a measure of irradiation exposure, not a sign of cladding damage.