Болсуновская Л.М., Абрамова Р.Н., Матвеенко И.А. (ред.) Petroleum engineering. Teachers book. Нефтегазовое дело. Книга для учителя
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UNIT 2
THE IMPACT OF MINING AND OIL EXTRACTION
ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Lead-in
Discuss the questions.
T. elicits the information Ss know on this topic. T. can write down on the
board the basic terms Ss pronounce, draw some spidergram or scheme on the
problems of the unit.
Comment upon the following statements. How do you think they are
connected with the theme of the lecture?
T’s task is to connect the ideas in the quotations with the theme of the Unit to
predict the problems mentioned in the texts of the unit.
Exercise 3. Translate the words paying attention to the word formation.
Извлекать, добывать – добыча – извлекаемый, добываемый –
добываемый, добывающий (об отраслях промышленности)
Результат – приводить к – проистекать из – получающийся в
результате, проистекающий
Распространение, изобилие – распространенный
Концентрировать(ся) – концентрат – концентрация
Осаждать(ся) – осаждение – улавливатель, осадитель,
фильтр
Обогащать – обогащенный – обогащение
Exercise 4. Give Russian equivalents to the following set-expressions.
To play a major role – играть главную роль
To bear witness – свидетельствовать о чем-л., содержать
доказательства
To be fitted with – быть снабженным чем-л.
To be likely – вероятно
To carry risk – быть сопряженным с риском, приводить к риску
To be heavily regulated – быть строго контролируемым
(pегулируемым)
To be referred to – именоваться, называться
To have impact – влиять, воздействовать
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Exercise 5. Match the synonyms.
In the vicinity = Close to
Impact = Influence
Cause =Reason
Enrichment = Beneficiation
Environment = Medium
Objective = Purpose
Various = Different
Exercise 6. Translate the following word groups.
Рудные минералы, зерна минералов руды, поверхностное извлечение
(добыча с поверхности), метод открытой добычи, вынос ветром,
труба плавильной печи, материал пустой породы, поверхностный
сток, загрязнение подземных вод, методы добычи минералов, рост
населения.
Exercise 7. Complete the sentences translating the Russian words.
1. Extensive mineral extraction is still the cause of concern in many
countries due to environmental pollution it causes. 2. The process of
extraction is heavily regulated to decrease the degree of contamination of
the surrounding soils. 3. Significant increase in concentration of some
chemical compound is observed in the vicinity of local mineral deposits.
4. Many Kemerovo regions bear witness to virtually uncontrolled coal
extraction. 5. The mined ore is finely crushed to enable concentration of
the sought after ore mineral. 6. Ancient extraction technologies resulted
in serious environmental pollution.
Exercise 8. Match the words with their definitions.
1. С, 2. A, 3. F, 4. E, 5. D, 6. B.
Exercise 9. Answer the questions.
1. How is mineral deposit concentration reflected in the chemistry of
environment? – Naturally occurring high concentrations of deposits are
reflected in the chemistry of the soils, waters, sediments, plants, etc.,
close to the deposit, the measurement of the concentrations of various
metals and non-metals in the media is used to locate mineral deposits.
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2. What stages of mineral extraction are considered the sources of
environment contamination? – Mining itself and beneficiation.
3. Why have mining increased through time? – The mining and
processing of minerals have increased through time due to population
growth and the greater utilization of raw materials for manufacture.
4. What witness to the extraction of minerals do areas bear? – Many areas
of past mining activity bear witness to these extractions in the form of
abandoned workings and extensive waste tips.
5. Has the situation changed from that time? – Yes, it has. Modern
mineral extraction technology is generally far more efficient than past
practices, and in many countries such processes are heavily regulated
to limit the degree of contamination from extractive industries.
6. What are the stages of mining and processing? – The extraction and
subsequent processing of ores can be summarized as follows: mining
→ crushing/grinding; → concentration of ore mineral; →
smelting/refining.
7. What is the effect of open pit surface techniques and solution mining?
– Open pit surface techniques, or in a few cases by solution mining,
which carries with it risk of groundwater pollution.
8. Why is crushing necessary for mineral processing? – The crushing and
grinding (comminution) of mineral processing is necessary because it
has the objective of separating the ore minerals from the waste,
generally referred to as gangue to enable concentration of the sought
after ore mineral.
9. What consequences of crushing do you know? – The very fine waste
material left after crushing is referred to as tailings, and this material
can contain, along with the gangue minerals, residual amounts of the
ore minerals and can be a serious source of pollution. The tailings are
very fine and are subject to wind ablation and can be easily transported
by surface runoff. At many mine sites tailings have been left open to
the environment resulting in serious contamination of surrounding soil
and water.
10. What is smelting? – Pyrometallurgical smelting involves roasting of
the ore concentrate at high temperatures with the subsequent emission
of large quantities of elements.
11. Why are modern smelters fitted with electrostatic precipitators? –
Modern smelter stacks are fitted with electrostatic precipitators and
other dust recovery mechanisms to retain most of the harmful
particulates.
12. What are the consequences of smelting? – Some gaseous and aerosolic
emissions are released into the atmosphere. Although any larger
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particulates released are deposited close to the source, aerosols and
gases can be transported long distances and as a result the smelting of
ores has far wider aerial impact than the mining and processing of
these ores.
Exercise 10. State whether the sentences are true or false. If true, add the
information you know, correct the false ones.
a. True.
b. False – Mining and subsequent beneficiation of minerals do not affect
the environment.
c. False – Mineral extraction is a modern human activity.
d. True.
e. False – The major cause of concern is mineral extraction such as clays
and silica.
f. True.
g. True.
h. False – Aerosols and gases can be deposited close to the source.
Exercise 11. Read through the text and find the answers to these questions.
Remember, you do not have to understand every word to answer the
questions.
A.
1. How are pollutants generally treated? Name four different processes
referred to in the text. – Scrubbing, filtration, absorption, adsorption.
2. What are the main causes of air pollution? – The internal combustion
engine, industrial fuel combustion (especially utility power plants).
3. What is the usual way to control emissions of gas and particles into the
atmosphere? – Emissions are usually limited to a specified weight per
hour.
4. Which gas is mentioned as being particularly difficult to control? –
Sulphur dioxide.
5. What industries are affected by regulations to control the emissions of
this gas? – Copper smelting; coal-fired utility plants.
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B. Read the text again carefully. While reading, look for the answers to
these questions.
1. Are these statements true or false?
- Environmental problems require the expertise of people with differing
scientific backgrounds. – True.
- There are many devices on the market which can be used to solve all
kinds of air and water problems. – False.
- Liquid wastes can be largely recycled after treatment. – True.
- Mining industry is no longer allowed to leave the land surface in a
disturbed condition. –
True.
- The highest proportion of atmospheric pollutants produced by man
comprises carbon monoxides. –
True.
- 30 % of air pollutants have natural causes. –
False (20 % do).
- Regulations are concerned with emissions into the atmosphere of gases
rather than solids. –
False (particle emissions are controlled).
- Limestone slurries and caustic solutions are used to control sulphur
oxide gas emissions. - True.
- Useful by-products can be obtained by treating gas streams from
modern copper smelting operations. – True (the by-products are
sulphur, liquid sulphur dioxide and sulphuric acid).
- New methods of producing copper by chemical means have been
highly successful. – False (there have been many operational
problems).
2. Classify the following items into four lists according to their role in
environmental engineering. Then find a heading for each list.
The final list should look like this:
Atmospheric pollutants
- hydrocarbons;
- nitrogen oxide gases;
- sulphur dioxide gas;
Retention equipment for reducing air pollution
- fabric arrester;
- electrostatic precipitator;
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Copper-producing methods
- hydrometallurgical plant;
- flash furnace;
- liquid ion exchange;
- elecrowinnig;
Products of modern copper-smelting operations
- liquid sulphur dioxide;
- sulphuric acid;
- electrolytic grade copper.
3. Discuss the following points
No key is possible.
Exercise 13. Read the text, tell about the impact of different stages of oil
extraction on environment.
No key is possible.
Exercise 14. Say in what content these figures are mentioned in the text.
14 – per cent of oil were collected by skimming and other waste recovery
from poured oil out of Exxon Valdez ruptured tanks.
3 – billion was sent to clean up in the vicinity of Prince William Sound.
1989 – a year when the accident happened to supertanker Exxon Valdez,
carrying crude oil.
20 – per cent of spilled oil evaporated in the atmosphere. Or 20 thousand
barrels per hour spilled into the sound.
250 000 – a total barrels of oil spilled into the sound.
28 – per cent of the sea otters killed by the spill.
645,000 seabirds died.
50 – per cent of spilled oil was % was deposited on the shoreline.
1 200 000 – barrels of crude oil was carried by supertanker Exxon Valdez.
Exercise 15. Complete the sentences according to the text.
1. Oil and natural gas burn cleaner than coal but are heavy polluters, too.
2. Oil and gas are preferred fuels because coal is so polluting, and
because it is less useful for many kinds of engines.
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3. It now seems that natural soil bacteria are capable of decomposing
most oil.
4. A thick substance that comes out of the ground from a typical oil well
is a mixture of many chemicals from very heavy tars to very light
gasoline and natural gas.
5. A famous example of oil pollution during delivery was on March 24,
1989, when the supertanker Exxon Valdez, carrying 1.2 million barrels
of crude oil, ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound,
Alaska, and broke open.
6. Of the 11 million gallons of spilled oil, about 20 % evaporated and
50 % was deposited on the shoreline.
7. There is no evidence that the Ocean’s ecosystems are seriously
threatened by oil spills.
8. We now also have new techniques to collect oil at sea, using floating
barriers and skimmers (oil is lighter than water and so floats on water),
but even the best methods are difficult to use in high winds and rough
seas.
Exercise 21. Discuss the following quotation from the standpoint of the
ecological problems in mining and oil production
Here T. can elicit the information from Ss. on ecological problems in
mining and oil production and what way of solution Ss can suggest.
T. can set the discussion either with the whole group, or divide the group
into two teams, or divide the group into pairs and choose a quotation for
each to make up a dialogue.
Exercise 22. Write a paragraph on one of the topics, be ready to discuss it
in group.
This is the task for the final lesson on this topic. The purpose of this task
is to summarize all the knowledge the Ss have got in the course of
working at the Unit. After each report T should stimulate the discussion
on the considered problems.
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UNIT 3
THE PROBLEMS OF POWER GENERATION
Lead-in. T. elicits information from the Ss related to the theme of the Unit.
Exercise 3. Give Russian equivalents to the following words and set-
expressions.
To make a significant contribution – делать значительный вклад
To be strictly regulated – быть строго контролируемым
(регулируемым)
To result in – приводить к
To be of particular concern – быть предметом особого беспокойства
To pose a serious threat – представлять серьезную угрозу
To be associated with – быть связанным с чем-л.
To achieve notoriety – получить дурную славу
To be prone to – быть склонным (предрасположенным) к чему-л.
Compose your own sentences with two of the expressions.
Exercise 4. Match the synonyms.
1. D, 2. F, 3. A, 4. B, 5. G, 6. C, 7. E.
Exercise 5. Match the antonyms.
1. C, 2. A, 3. E, 4. B, 5. D.
Exercise 6. Fill in the correct word from the list below.
1. Radioactivity has achieved notoriety after Chernobyl accident.
2. The analysis of air composition showed the elevated concentration of
trace elements harmful for human health.
3. Exposure to lead is known to damage the brains of young children.
4. Combustion of fossil fuels produces large volume of carbon dioxide.
5. City dwellers are known to be more prone to heart diseases than
countrymen.
6. After inundating of large areas they were stated to contain high
concentration of mercury.
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Exercise 7. Fill in the necessary preposition.
1. Combustion of sulphur-containing fuels results in production of
sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide.
2. Harmful consequence of fossil fuel combustion derives from many
trace elements contained in it.
3. Coal combustion makes a significant contribution to atmospheric
deposition of harmful substances.
4. Geothermal areas are associated with volcanic activity.
5. Ecological problem of hydroelectric power generation results from
flooding of areas.
6. As a result of exposure to radioactivity humans are prone to increased
incidents of cancer.
Exercise 8. Read the examples, join the sentences in every possible way.
Example 1: They tried hard to clean up the lake, but/yet it remains
polluted.
Example 2: They tried hard to clean up the lake; however/nevertheless it
remains polluted.
Example 3: Although/though/even though they tried hard to clean up the
lake, it remains polluted.
Example 4: In spite of/Despite their trying hard to clean up the lake, it
remains polluted.
1. Technological progress has stimulated the utilization of solar energy,
however/nevertheless the use of it poses some problems in gathering
the heat from the sun.
2. In spite of/Despite rapid running out the fossil fuel, some huge reserves
remain untouched.
3. Although/though/even though there are some difficulties in using solar
energy, this energy is used directly as heat to produce high temperature
for metallurgical operations.
4. The air in our region is much polluted, but/yet toxic gases are still
released into it.
5. Although/though/even though the efficiency in the production and
transformation of energy increases, the energy problem remains.
6. In spite of/Despite intensification of the utilization of fossil fuel, the
reserves are increasing both overall and per capita.
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Exercise 9. Join the sentences using the words in brackets. Think of other
ways of joining them.
1. Nuclear energy is an unlimited source for generating thermonuclear
energy; however it presents some danger for environment.
2. Despite fining the energy station, it is still releasing toxic gases into the
air.
3. The generation of electric power is accompanied by a great loss of
energy. In addition, some losses take place when transmitting and
using it.
4. The production of nuclear energy is connected with both the danger of
accidents and the problem of burning nuclear waste.
Exercise 10. Translate the sentences, mind Subjective Infinitive
Construction.
1. Известно, что сжигание ископаемого топлива производит
большое количество диоксида углерода, который способствует
парниковому эффекту на земле.
2. Полагают, что сжигание угля вносит значительный вклад в
отложение свинца в атмосфере в Великобритании.
3. Хотя часто допускают (полагают), что геотермальная энергия
является «чистой» формой производства энергии, во многих
теплых источниках активно осаждается мышьяк, ртуть и другие
вредные вещества.
4. Было обнаружено, что элементы, обогащающие нефть, такие как
ванадий, присутствуют в повышенных концентрациях вблизи
нефтеочистительных заводов.
5. Было найдено, что источником нефти является заболоченная
почва, где этот элемент преобразуется в метилированную форму.
6. Предполагается, что сжигание высоко серосодержащего топлива
приводит к выработке диоксида серы и триоксида серы, что, в
свою очередь, приводит к кислотным дождям.
Exercise 11. Translate the sentences using Subjective Infinitive
Construction.
1. Most part of energy is known to be produced from fossil fuel.
2. Fuel combustion is thought (believed) to be a cause of greenhouse
effect.
3. Fly ash seems to contain some harmful substances.