A pressurized water reactor is engineered to function such that________________?
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Answer: D. to prevent the water coolant from boiling in the core
Explanation
Pressurized water reactors maintain high operating pressure in the primary loop specifically to prevent bulk boiling in the core. Pressurizers utilize electric heaters and water sprays to keep the primary coolant liquid at pressures exceeding 15 megapascals. Preventing core boiling ensures that the coolant density remains stable for efficient neutron moderation and heat transfer. Pressurized water reactors represent the most common type of commercial nuclear power plant operating globally today. Water serves a dual purpose in these reactors, acting simultaneously as a primary neutron moderator and a thermal coolant. Keeping the core water entirely in liquid phase requires high system pressure because water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at atmospheric pressure.
Option A is incorrect because boiling water is strictly suppressed in the primary core of a pressurized water reactor design. Option B is wrong because pressurized water reactors use ordinary light water rather than liquid sodium metal as coolant. Options C and E are incorrect because pressurized water reactors utilize an intermediate steam generator loop rather than eliminating loops.
- Subject
- Engineering
- Category
- Mechanical Engineering
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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