Atomic Power Plant
Atomic power plants are modem installations. They consist of several main units and a great number of auxiliary ones.
In a nuclear reactor uranium is utilized as a fuel. During operation process powerful heat and radioactive radiation are produced. The nuclear reactor is cooled by water circulation. Cooling water circulates through a system of tubes, in which the water is heated to a temperature of 250-300°C. In order to prevent boiling of water, it passes into the reactor at a pressure up to 150 atmospheres.
A steam generator includes a series of heat exchangers comprising tubes. The water heated in the reactor is delivered into the heat exchanger tubes. The water to be converted into steam flows outside these tubes. The steam produced is fed into the turbogenerator.
Besides, an atomic power plant comprises a common turbogenerator, a steam condenser with circulating water and a switchboard.
Atomic power plants have their advantages as well as disadvantages. The reactors and steam generators operate in them noiselessly; the atmosphere is not polluted by dust and smoke. As to the fuel consumption, it is of no special importance and there is no problem of fuel transportation.
The disadvantage of power plants utilizing nuclear fuel is their radiation. Radioactive radiation produced in the reactors is dangerous for attending personnel. Therefore, the reactors and steam generators are installed underground. They are also shielded by thick (up to 1.5 m) concrete walls. All their controls are operated by means of automatic devices. These measures serve to protect people from radioactive radiation.
IV. Закрепление новых знаний .
1. Дополните предложения , используя правильный вариант :
| 1. A nuclear reactor is used in | a) wind-power plants. b) atomic power plants. |
| 2. A nuclear reactor is cooled by | a) water circulating in tubes. b) oil circulating in tubes. |
| 3. Water is passed into the reactor | a) at a low pressure. b) at a high pressure. |
| 4. High pressure | a) activates boiling of water. b) prevents boiling of water. |
| 6. Circulating water flows | a) inside the heat exchangers. b) outside the heat exchangers. |
| 7. Attending personnel is shielded by | a) thick concrete walls. b) thick metal walls. |
2. Работа в парах. Задайте эти вопросы своему одногруппнику и попросите его ответить
1. What are the main units of an atomic power plant?
2. By what means is the nuclear reactor cooled?
3. At what pressure does the water pass into the reactor?
4. What types of power plants pollute the air with dust and smoke?
5. Why is it necessary to protect attending personnel?
6. By what means is it done?
V . Этап подведения итогов.
VI . Информация о домашнем задании: выучить новые слова, прочитать и перевести текст.
Electrical Power Industry .
Using energy has been a key issue in the process of the development of our human society since the old times when people started to control fire. But one of the most prominent sources that changed the life of the whole world was the discovery of the most efficient energy source – the electricity. In our modern world electricity is used for industry and agriculture, communication and transportation, and for everyday use.
The development of electricity dates back to the late 17th century and the great discovery of the power source of energy was made by William Gilbert. A great number of further important discoveries were made over the next two centuries – among them are a light bulb and electromagnetic induction principle. The start of the electrical industry began in 1881 when the first power station in the world was constructed at Godalming in England. Then in 1882 the great inventor Thomas Edison and his Edison Electric Light Company started their first steam-powered station in New York. That was the beginning of the new era of electricity that changed the way people lived. By 1890 there were thousands of power systems in Europe and the USA.
But what is the electricity? From the scientific point of view, the electricity is a particular set of physical phenomena which is characterized by the presence and the distinctive flow of electric charge. It is created when the small particles – electrons move between the atoms. This process creates an electric current. And this current is used to energize different kinds of equipment. Electrical Power Industry can be fair enough called a backbone of the modern industry and everyday life.
We use electrical power for heating, cooling and lighting our houses, for cooking food, and for numerous devices and gadgets such TV-sets, computers and smartphones. Electrical power has become the essential necessity for the modern society. But unfortunately not all people in the world have an access to this source of energy. Millions of people in poor countries have to survive without the advantages of electrical power.
Besides the obvious advantages that electrical power brings to our life there is a definite set of threats that this modern technology causes. The process of electricity generation on different kinds of power stations often is not so harmless to the nature. One of the most efficient but dangerous means of electricity generation is a nuclear power station. Though this is one of the most effective ways to generate electricity for the needs of the society, the disastrous catastrophes in Chernobyl and Fukusima showed us how dangerous nuclear power is.
The process of nature friendly electricity generation has been developing greatly these days. Wind power, solar power and the power of the ocean are used to generate safe and cheap electricity that will be able to bring our life to the next level of evolution.
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