If a retractable soot blower lance becomes stuck, what is the likely outcome?

When a retractable soot blower lance becomes stuck, the most likely outcome is that the wand would distort or bend. This occurs because if the lance is not able to retract properly while under pressure, the force exerted on it can lead to mechanical stress. Such stress may result in the deformation of the lance material, causing it to bend or distort rather than operate as intended.

The design of these systems takes into consideration the need for movement to effectively clear soot, and if any component fails to move due to being stuck, results other than effective soot removal or improved functionality are expected. Thus, the scenario under option A reflects a plausible mechanical failure resulting from improper operation or a jammed component, rather than suggesting improvements or a complete detachment,both of which are unlikely in this situation.