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Atomic power stations

An atomic power station is similar to conventional power stations, the only difference being the furnace, that is to say, instead of a coal burning furnace it has a nuclear furnace. This means that heat is produced by nuclear fission in a reactor. The experience that has been ac­cumulated shows that atomic power sta­tions are reliable and safe. At the same time the best design for an atomic power station has to be found.

There is a large number of variants of projects for using atomic fuel for the output of electric power. Mention should be made that the electricity generated by atomic power stations still costs more less than that obtained from thermal power stations, to say nothing of the electricity produced by hydropower stations.

In spite of this there is great need for developing the best types of atomic power stations. As yet, scientists in different countries failed in devel­oping the best type of atomic power stations.

In some areas of the world there is a shortage of fuel and water power necessary for the development of electrification. To supply these areas fuel has to be transported over long distances. Fuel, even high-grade fuel, contains only an insignificant quantity of power. For example, a ton of oil if fully burnt yields approximately 12,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, coal giv­ing even less than that - only 8,000 kilowatt hours. Yet, as little as half a gram of uranium can produce as much as 10,000 kilowatt hours of electric­ity.

For that reason atomic power stations are being built in industrially developed areas, with poor power resources. It is believed that atomic power stations will be built in permafrost regions too. It is known that use is made of different reactors nowadays. Mention should be made that work has been started to utilize the energy of the atom not through the conventional steam turbine generator scheme but through the conversion of atomic power di­rectly into electricity. Reactors operating on fast moving neutrons being studied by the scientists, it is planned to install such reactors in future industrial atomic power stations. There is a great future in the nuclear synthesis of light nuclei of thermonuclear reactions which is a source of inexhaustible energy.

The scientists are working on the problem turning nuclear reactions into power, there being no doubt that this problem will be successfully solved.

Grammar and lexical exercises

I. Translate the following sentences into Ukrainian paying attention to the function of the Infinitive.

1. Formerly books on mechanics were difficult to obtain; now, they can be found in every library. 2. The head engineer offered to start the machine. 3. The bridge was designed to be 300 metres long. 4. Who was the first to discover electricity? 5. The students go to the shop to practise mechanics. 6. We use thermometers to measure temperature. 7. What does our Gov­ernment do in order to supply water to dry regions? 8. To read ancient mathematical tables was very difficult. 9. To live is to work and to study.