Unit 8 Hydrogen – source of power

Scientists consider hydrogen a very promising energy source. The reserves of hydrogen are practically unlimited. Per unit of weight it contains almost three times-more thermal energy than benzene. Besides, hydrogen can be used as fuel in transport, industry and home.

Hydrogen is easy to transport and store. It can be transported over large distances using conventional pipelines. It can be accumulated and kept for a long time either in conventional or natural reservoirs.

Scientists have found many ways of producing hydrogen – basically from ordinary water. And large volumes of this fuel can be obtained from coal, whose global reserves are tremendous. There is also an idea of using nuclear power plants to generate hydrogen. Scientists hope to use the energy of the sun, wind and tides to obtain hydrogen.

In several countries car engines fed by hydrogen have been tested successfully. Tests have also shown that adding five to ten per cent hydrogen to benzene increases engine efficiency by 40-45 per cent.

What is still holding back the use of hydrogen as fuel, and what has to be done in order to apply it extensively in the economy? The main reason is that now it is more expensive than mineral fuels, but in the near future hydrogen can be made cheaper to obtain. This new kind of energy opens up new prospects in aviation, metallurgy and some other industries.

Words to be learnt

add v – добавить

accumulate v – накапливать

consider v – считать

engine n – двигатель

feed v – питать

hold back (held) v – задерживать

hope v – надеяться

keep (kept) v - хранить

nuclear power plant – атомная электростанция

pipeline n – трубопровод

reason n – причина

store v – накапливать

Завдання 1. Дайте відповіді на запитання.

1. How great are the reserves of hydrogen?

2. Where can hydrogen be used?

3. What can be used to transport hydrogen over long distances?

4. What is the main way of obtaining hydrogen?

5. In what industries can hydrogen be used in future?

Завдання 2.Заповніть пропуски, користуючись змістом тексту.

1. Scientists consider __________ a very promising energy source.

2. Hydrogen contains _____________ times more thermal energy than benzene.

3. Hydrogen is _____________ to transport and store.

4. Scientists have found many ______________ of producing hydrogen.

5. Now hydrogen is more _______________ than mineral fuels.

Завдання 3.Доберіть відповідні англійські слова та словосполучення підкресленим українським.

1. джерело : a) reserve; b) resource;

c) source; d) plant.

2. звичайний : a) promising; b) conventional;

c) cheap; d) efficient.

3. сподіватися : a) to hope; b) represent;

c) remain; d) resist.

4. паливо : a) oil; b) tide;

c) way; d) fuel.

5. двигун : a) energy; b) engine;

c) kind; d) car.

Завдання 4. Перекладіть на англійську та українську мову групи слів, користуючись текстом.

А) 1. джерело енергії; 2. практично безмежний; 3. на одиницю ваги; 4. впродовж тривалого часу; 5. збільшити ефективність.

В) 1. new prospects; 2. mineral fuel; 3. in order to; 4. ordinary water; 5. to generate hydrogen.

Завдання 5.Дайте вірні визначення наступним словам.

1.Hydrogen a) a long line of pipes for carrying liquids or gas to distant

places

2.Reserve b)to make or become greater in number or quantity

3.To accumulate c) gas that combines with oxygen to form water

4.Wind d) a store kept for future use

5 . Pipe-line e) air in motion as a result of natural forces

Завдання 6.Доповніть речення згідно зі змістом тексту

1. In the near future hydrogen will be cheaper ______________.

2. In some countries car engines fed by hydrogen were tested ______________.

3. There is an idea of using nuclear power plants ______________.

4. The reserves of hydrogen are ___________.

5. Hydrogen can be obtained from coal, whose _____________.