Text safety of nuclear reactors

The safety of nuclear power plants has been of great importance from the very beginning of the development of nuclear reactors. But it has become the focus of the international nuclear community since the Chernobyl accident in1986. Modern standards of nuclear safety ensure reliable operation of all systems at any plant dealing with radioactive materials.

Though the strict safety measures are provided at any nuclear installation, there are some difficulties that have to be faced. There is still a popular fear in the public mind associated with the radiation. The tragic consequences of the most serious reactor malfunctions and accidents are the main reasons for this.

The most widely discussed type of a reactor malfunction is the loss-оf-coolant accident (LOCA). A typical LOCA means a pipe leak, which results in sudden depressurization of the pressure reactor vessel. The water begins to boil, so it makes the core heat up instead of cooling. This can cause the core melting. The destroyed core is able to release a catastrophic amount of radioactive products into the biosphere.

Thus, the essence of reactor safety is to protect the environment from the dispersal of radioactivity. The key to safer nuclear power is a more efficient emergency core-cooling system (ECCS) and a more reliable containment building.

There are some other problems associated with the reactor safety. They are human errors in critical situations and the disposal of nuclear waste.

A list of active words and expressions

safety	– безопасность
to be of great importance	– иметь важное значение
to deal with	– иметь дело с (отношение к)
to improve	– улучшать, усовершенствовать
to provide	– обеспечивать
to be associated with	– быть связанным с
to result in	– приводить к
to melt	– плавить(-ся)
to face difficulties	– сталкиваться с трудностями
as long as	– до тех пор, пока
dispersal	– выброс (распространение)
essence	– суть
malfunction	– неполадка, поломка

Ex. 1. Fill in the blanks

1. The … of nuclear plants has become the focus of ... . 2. Modern ... of nuclear safety ensure ... operation of all systems at nuclear plants. 3. The most … discussed type of reactor malfunction is … 4. A typical LOCA means ... which results in sudden ... of the reactor vessel. 5. The ... core can … a catastrophic amount of ... products. 6. The ... of reactor safety is to protect the ... from radioactive materials. 7. The ... to safer nuclear power is a more ... ECCS and a more ... containment building. 8. There are some other problems … with the reactor safety. They are … errors in critical situations and the … of nuclear waste.

Ex. 2. Translate from Russian into English

1. международное ядерное сообщество

2. надежная работа

3. поврежденная активная зона

4. общественное сознание

5. внезапное падение давления (разгерметизация)

6. защитная оболочка

7. аварийная система охлаждения активной зоны

8. потеря теплоносителя

9. катастрофическое количество

10. суть безопасности

Ex. 3. Learn the dialogue.

– What is the LOCA?

– It is the most widely discussed type of a reactor accident.

– Well, how does it proceed?

– First, a rupture in the primary cooling system causes depressurization of the pressure vessel.

– So what?

– Well, the water boils and the core begins to heat up as the water does not provide adequate cooling.

– And how can we prevent the heating up of the core?

– The emergency core cooling system floods the core with new cooling water and thus prevents it from melting.

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions

1. What is the importance of nuclear safety?

2. What do nuclear safety standards ensure?

3. What is the most widely discussed type of reactor malfunctions?

4. What does the LOCA mean and how does it proceed?

5. What is the essence of reactor safety?

6. What is the key to safer nuclear power?

7. What problems are associated with reactor safety?

Ex. 5. Speak about the safety of nuclear reactors.

UNIT IX