Loss of coolant accident

{
  "id": "MLC-T-NUC-000283",
  "term": "Loss of coolant accident",
  "field": "Nuclear energy and radiation",
  "definition": "A potential accident in which a breach in a reactor’s pressure boundary causes the coolant water to rush out of the reactor faster than makeup water can be added back in. Without sufficient coolant, the reactor core could heat up and potentially melt the zirconium fuel cladding, causing a major release of radioactivity.",
  "abbreviation": "LOCA",
  "references": [
    "NRC Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/nuclear/loss-of-coolant-accident/"
}