One of the major problems of nuclear energy is the inability of scientists to discover a safe to dispose of the radioactive wastes which occur throughout the nuclear process. Many of wastes remain dangerously active for tens of thousands of years, while others have a life span closer to a quarter of a million years. Various methods have been used to date, but all have revealed weaknesses, forcing scientists to continue their search The nuclear fuel rods are installed in the reactors, where they remain until the accumulation of wastes becomes such that the fuel is no longer usable. The "used" fuel is then sent to a processing plant, where the radioactive wastes are removed; the remaining uranium is sent to a hemical plant to start the fuel cycle over again. The radioactive wastes are sent to be stored or buried. The nature of these wastes together with their lengthy life span has made it extremely difficult for scientists to find a way of disposing of them safely and permanently The United States attempted to bury much of its radioactive waste material in containers made of steel covered in concrete and capable of holding a million gallons. For a long time it was believed that the nuclear waste problem had been solved, until some of these tanks leaked, allowing the radioactive wastes to seep into the environment. Canada presently stores its nuclear waste in underwater tanks, with the long-term effects largely unknown. However, plans are under consideration for above-ground storage of spent fuel from reactors. These plans include the building of three vast concrete containers, which would be two stories high and approximately the length and width of two football fields. Other suggestions include enclosing the waste in glass blocks and storing them in underground caverns, or placing hot containers in the Antarctic region where they would melt the ice, thereby sinking down about a mile. This idea has since been abandoned because of the possible adverse effect on the ice sheets The problem of what to do with atomic waste, the harmful unwanted products of atomic energy, is being studied by many scientific minds Large atomic reactors produce harmful radioactive lements at the same time that they produce energy. The atomic waste is so powerful that it will be a danger for centuries. What can be done with it? Where can it be placed so that it will not harm human beings? No one now has the fianl anwer, but hundreds of scientists are searching for it What would you do with radioactive atomic waste? Mix it with water and pour it in the ocean? You would not do that if you lived near the water. a box the size of a package of cigarettes would hold the radioactive waste produced by an atomic reactor in five minutes. If you poured it into a body of water more than one hundred miles long and about fifteen miles wide, this small amout of atomic waste could be discovered by a Geiger counter anywhere within its harbors and bays in less than twenty-four hours. This shows the great size of the problems of what to do with atomic Atomic waste cannot be burned, boiled away, or made harmless by mixing it with other minerals. We are not working with a substance that can be destroyed. We are trying to destroy energy, and that is impossible. The only thing we can do is to keep the waste in a place where it will be harmless Throwing it into the ocean is one method that has been tried. Atomic waste is placed in metal barrels that are then put in containers as thick and strong as stone. The cases are taken to thethe deepest part of the ocean and thrown in. For several reasons, however, throwing the atomic waste into the ocean is not a final answer to the problem
One of the major problems of nuclear energy is the inability of scientists to discover a safe way to dispose of the radioactive wastes which occur throughout the nuclear process. Many of these wastes remain dangerously active for tens of thousands of years, while others have a life span closer to a quarter of a million years. Various methods have been used to date, but all have revealed weaknesses, forcing scientists to continue their search. The nuclear fuel rods are installed in the reactors, where they remain until the accumulation of wastes becomes such that the fuel is no longer usable. The “used” fuel is then sent to a reprocessing plant, where the radioactive wastes are removed; the remaining uranium is sent to a chemical plant to start the fuel cycle over again. The radioactive wastes are sent to be stored or buried. The nature of these wastes together with their lengthy life span has made it extremely difficult for scientists to find a way of disposing of them safely and permanently. The United States attempted to bury much of its radioactive waste material in containers made of steel covered in concrete and capable of holding a million gallons. For a long time it was believed that the nuclear waste problem had been solved, until some of these tanks leaked, allowing the radioactive wastes to seep into the environment. Canada presently stores its nuclear waste in underwater tanks, with the long-term effects largely unknown. However, plans are under consideration for above-ground storage of spent fuel from reactors. These plans include the building of three vast concrete containers, which would be two stories high and approximately the length and width of two football fields. Other suggestions include enclosing the waste in glass blocks and storing them in underground caverns, or placing hot containers in the Antarctic region, where they would melt the ice, thereby sinking down about a mile. This idea has since been abandoned because of the possible adverse effect on the ice sheets. The problem of what to do with atomic waste, the harmful unwanted products of atomic energy, is being studied by many scientific minds. Large atomic reactors produce harmful radioactive lements at the same time that they produce energy. The atomic waste is so powerful that it will be a danger for centuries. What can be done with it? Where can it be placed so that it will not harm human beings? No one now has the fianl anwer, but hundreds of scientists are searching for it. What would you do with radioactive atomic waste? Mix it with water and pour it in the ocean? You would not do that if you lived near the water. A box the size of a package of cigarettes would hold the radioactive waste produced by an atomic reactor in five minutes. If you poured it into a body of water more than one hundred miles long and about fifteen miles wide, this small amout of atomic waste could be discovered by a Geiger counter anywhere within its harbors and bays in less than twenty-four hours. This shows the great size of the problems of what to do with atomic waste. Atomic waste cannot be burned, boiled away, or made harmless by mixing it with other minerals. We are not working with a substance that can be destroyed. We are trying to destroy energy, and that is impossible. The only thing we can do is to keep the waste in a place where it will be harmless. Throwing it into the ocean is one method that has been tried. Atomic waste is placed in metal barrels that are then put in containers as thick and strong as stone. The cases are taken to the the deepest part of the ocean and thrown in. For several reasons, however, throwing the atomic waste into the ocean is not a final answer to the problem
One of the major problems of nuclear energy is the inability of scientists to discover a safe to dispose of the radioactive wastes which occur throughout the nuclear process. Many of wastes remain dangerously active for tens of thousands of years, while have a life span closer to a quarter of a million years. Various methods have been used to date, but all have revealed weaknesses, forcing scientists to continue their search The nuclear fuel rods are installed in the reactors, where they remain until the accumulation of wastes becomes such that the fuel is no longer usable. The "used" fuel is then sent to a processing plant, where the radioactive wastes are removed; the remaining uranium is sent to a hemical plant to start the fuel cycle over again. The radioactive wastes are sent to be stored or buried. The nature of these wastes together with their lengthy life span has made it extremely difficult for scientists to find a way of disposing of them safely and permanently The United States attempted to bury much of its radioactive waste material in containers made of steel covered in concrete and capable of holding a million gallons. For a long time it was believed that the nuclear waste problem had been solved, until some of these tanks leaked, allowing the radioactive wastes to seep into the environment. Canada presently stores its nuclear waste in underwater tanks, with the long-term effects largely unknown. However, plans are under consideration for above-ground storage of spent fuel from reactors. These plans include the building of three vast concrete containers, which would be two stories high and approximately the length and width of two football fields. Other suggestions include enclosing the waste in glass blocks and storing them in underground caverns, or placing hot containers in the Antarctic region, where they would melt the ice, thereby sinking down about a mile. This idea has since been abandoned because of the possible adverse effect on the ice sheets 英译汉 放射性废料 科学家尚未找到一种安全的途径来处置核反应过程产生的放射性废料。这已成为 核能利用的主要问题之一。许多核废料成千上万年都存在危险的放射性,有的活动周 期竟达二、三十万年。至今已采用过多种方法,但都有缺点。科学家不得不继续进行 研究 将核燃料棒装入反应堆,燃料用尽,核棒成废料。然后,用过的燃料棒运送至再 处理工厂去排除放射性废料。剩余下来的铀送到化工厂提炼再生燃料。放射性废料被 储存起来或埋葬。核废料的特性及其漫长的活动周期使科学家很难找到一种安全而持 久的处置方法。 美国试图将许多放射性废料装在钢制容器中埋葬,容器外包水泥,可容纳百万加 仑。此后很长一段时间里,人们以为核废料问题已被解决,直到后来部分容器渗漏 放射性物质外泄到周围环境。现在加拿大把核废料储存在水下的容器中,它的长期影 响尚未可知。不过,有人考虑计划在地面上存储反应堆用过的燃料。这些计划包括建 造三个巨大的水泥容器二层楼高,长宽约有两个足球场大。其他的建议还有:将 废料封入玻璃体内,再将玻璃体放入地下岩洞中;或将装有废料的热的容器放到南极 地区,使冰融化,以此将容器沉入约一英里。但是因为这样做对冰层可能有逆效应, 这一想法已作罢
One of the major problems of nuclear energy is the inability of scientists to discover a safe way to dispose of the radioactive wastes which occur throughout the nuclear process. Many of these wastes remain dangerously active for tens of thousands of years, while others have a life span closer to a quarter of a million years. Various methods have been used to date, but all have revealed weaknesses, forcing scientists to continue their search. The nuclear fuel rods are installed in the reactors, where they remain until the accumulation of wastes becomes such that the fuel is no longer usable. The “used” fuel is then sent to a reprocessing plant, where the radioactive wastes are removed; the remaining uranium is sent to a chemical plant to start the fuel cycle over again. The radioactive wastes are sent to be stored or buried. The nature of these wastes together with their lengthy life span has made it extremely difficult for scientists to find a way of disposing of them safely and permanently. The United States attempted to bury much of its radioactive waste material in containers made of steel covered in concrete and capable of holding a million gallons. For a long time it was believed that the nuclear waste problem had been solved, until some of these tanks leaked, allowing the radioactive wastes to seep into the environment. Canada presently stores its nuclear waste in underwater tanks, with the long-term effects largely unknown. However, plans are under consideration for above-ground storage of spent fuel from reactors. These plans include the building of three vast concrete containers, which would be two stories high and approximately the length and width of two football fields. Other suggestions include enclosing the waste in glass blocks and storing them in underground caverns, or placing hot containers in the Antarctic region, where they would melt the ice, thereby sinking down about a mile. This idea has since been abandoned because of the possible adverse effect on the ice sheets
The U.S. Department of Energy's nudear security office is developing a project to help other countries deal with nuclear waste. The information comes from two sources who spoke to the Reuters news agency. They asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue 美国能源部旗下的核安全部门正在开发一个项目,以帮助其它国家处理核废料 这一信息出自路透社的两个消息来源。由于问题的敏感性,他们要求匿名。 The sources say the plan aims to keep the United States competitive agai nst other countries that are developing their own waste technology. For ex ample, both Russia and France offer services to take care of nuclear wast 消息人士称,该计划旨在使美国保持对其它自行开发核废料处理技术国家的竞争 力。例如,俄罗斯和法国都提供核废料处理服务。 Dov Schwartz is the spokesman for the National Nuclear Security Adminis tration. He confirmed the group is thin king about how to help other countri es reduce nuclear waste. However, Schwartz did not give details 多夫施瓦茨( Doy Schwartz)是美国核安全管理局的发言人。他证实该机构正 在考虑如何帮助其它国家减少核废料。然而,施瓦茨没有提供细节。 The NNsa also declined a reuters request for an interview with Brent Pa rk, who is leading the effort 美国核安全管理局还拒绝了路透社对该项目负责人布伦特·帕克( Brent Park) 提出的采访要求。 What would the technology do? 这项技术会怎么做? The unnamed sources say the technology could involve crushing heating or sending an electric current through nuclear waste to reduce its size 这些匿名的消息人士称,这项技术可能涉及破碎、加热或向核废料通电以减小其 体积
The U.S. Department of Energy's nuclear security office is developing a project to help other countries deal with nuclear waste. The information comes from two sources who spoke to the Reuters news agency. They asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. 美国能源部旗下的核安全部门正在开发一个项目，以帮助其它国家处理核废料。 这一信息出自路透社的两个消息来源。由于问题的敏感性，他们要求匿名。 The sources say the plan aims to keep the United States competitive agai nst other countries that are developing their own waste technology. For ex ample, both Russia and France offer services to take care of nuclear wast e. 消息人士称，该计划旨在使美国保持对其它自行开发核废料处理技术国家的竞争 力。例如，俄罗斯和法国都提供核废料处理服务。 Dov Schwartz is the spokesman for the National Nuclear Security Adminis tration. He confirmed the group is thinking about how to help other countri es reduce nuclear waste. However, Schwartz did not give details. 多夫·施瓦茨（Dov Schwartz）是美国核安全管理局的发言人。他证实该机构正 在考虑如何帮助其它国家减少核废料。然而，施瓦茨没有提供细节。 The NNSA also declined a Reuters request for an interview with Brent Pa rk, who is leading the effort. 美国核安全管理局还拒绝了路透社对该项目负责人布伦特·帕克（Brent Park） 提出的采访要求。 What would the technology do? 这项技术会怎么做？ The unnamed sources say the technology could involve crushing, heating or sending an electric current through nuclear waste to reduce its size. 这些匿名的消息人士称，这项技术可能涉及破碎、加热或向核废料通电以减小其 体积
he machinery to do so would be put in a"black box"the size of a shipp ing container. It would be sent to other countries with nuclear energy prog rams; however, it would remain owned and operated by the United States, the sources said 消息人士称,这些机器将被装在一个集装箱大小的“黑匣子”中,然后运送到拥有 核能项目的其它国家。然而,它仍将由美国拥有和经营。 The sources did not name countries to which the service would be offered They also did not say where the waste would be stored after it is run thr ough the equipment. But they said they were worried the processes could increase the risk of dangerous materials reaching militant groups or natio ns unfriendly to the United states 这些消息人士并未指明可能向哪些国家提供这项服务,也没有说明核废料通过该 设备处理后将会储存在哪里。但是他们表示担心这些过程会增加危险材料流入激 进组织或对美国不友好国家的风险。 Former U.s. President Jimmy Carter banned nuclear waste reprocessing n 1977. The reprocessing opens pure amounts of uranium and plutonium both of which could be used to make nuclear bombs 美国前总统卡特于1977年禁止核废料再处理,因为这会释放出高纯度的铀和钚, 两者都可用于制造核弹 NNSA spokesperson Dov Schwartz said the plans under consideration do not involve reprocessing But he did not say what technologies could be u sed 美国核安全管理局的施瓦茨表示,正在考虑中的计划不涉及再处理,但他没有透 露会采用何种技术
The machinery to do so would be put in a "black box" the size of a shipp ing container. It would be sent to other countries with nuclear energy prog rams; however, it would remain owned and operated by the United States, the sources said. 消息人士称，这些机器将被装在一个集装箱大小的“黑匣子”中，然后运送到拥有 核能项目的其它国家。然而，它仍将由美国拥有和经营。 The sources did not name countries to which the service would be offered. They also did not say where the waste would be stored after it is run thr ough the equipment. But they said they were worried the processes could increase the risk of dangerous materials reaching militant groups or natio ns unfriendly to the United States. 这些消息人士并未指明可能向哪些国家提供这项服务，也没有说明核废料通过该 设备处理后将会储存在哪里。但是他们表示担心这些过程会增加危险材料流入激 进组织或对美国不友好国家的风险。 Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter banned nuclear waste reprocessing i n 1977. The reprocessing opens pure amounts of uranium and plutonium, both of which could be used to make nuclear bombs. 美国前总统卡特于 1977 年禁止核废料再处理，因为这会释放出高纯度的铀和钚， 两者都可用于制造核弹。 NNSA spokesperson Dov Schwartz said the plans under consideration do not involve reprocessing. But he did not say what technologies could be u sed. 美国核安全管理局的施瓦茨表示，正在考虑中的计划不涉及再处理，但他没有透 露会采用何种技术
Concerns 担忧 The government of U.s. President Donald Trump has made promoting nu clear technology abroad a high priority The U.s. Energy secretary, Rick Perry, visited Saudi Arabia this month for talks on a nuclear energy deal with the kingdom. And the American business Westinghouse hopes to sell nuclear power technology to countries from Saudi Arabia to India 美国总统川普将推广核技术出口作为重中之重。美国能源部部长里克·佩里(Ri ck Perry)本月访问了沙特,同沙特国王就一项核能协议进行了会谈。美国西屋 公司希望将核电技术卖给从沙特到印度等国家 But a top arms control officer during the obama administration questions t he direction of the Trump government. Thomas Countryman said the U.s should improve its ability to get rid of its own nuclear waste before help ng other countries 但是奧巴马政府期间的髙级武器管制官员托马斯·科斯特曼( Thomas Country an)质疑了川普政府的发展方向。科斯特曼表示,美国应该在帮助其它国家之 前提高自身处理核废料的能力。 A nuclear expert at the Union of Concemed scientists also expressed so me doubt about the nnsa plan edwin lyman said nnsa should not be f ocused so much on reducing the size of nuclear waste. Instead, it should be concerned about the dangers of nuclear waste that make it hard to sto 忧思科学家联盟的核专家埃德温·莱曼(ε dwin Lyman)也对美国核安全管理局 的计划表示了质疑。莱曼说,美国核管理安全局不应该如此关注减少核废料的体 积,相反它应该关注核废料难以储存的危险
Concerns 担忧 The government of U.S. President Donald Trump has made promoting nu clear technology abroad a high priority. The U.S. Energy Secretary, Rick Perry, visited Saudi Arabia this month for talks on a nuclear energy deal with the kingdom. And the American business Westinghouse hopes to sell nuclear power technology to countries from Saudi Arabia to India. 美国总统川普将推广核技术出口作为重中之重。美国能源部部长里克·佩里（Ri ck Perry）本月访问了沙特，同沙特国王就一项核能协议进行了会谈。美国西屋 公司希望将核电技术卖给从沙特到印度等国家。 But a top arms control officer during the Obama administration questions t he direction of the Trump government. Thomas Countryman said the U.S. should improve its ability to get rid of its own nuclear waste before helpi ng other countries. 但是奥巴马政府期间的高级武器管制官员托马斯·科斯特曼（Thomas Countrym an）质疑了川普政府的发展方向。科斯特曼表示，美国应该在帮助其它国家之 前提高自身处理核废料的能力。 A nuclear expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists also expressed so me doubt about the NNSA plan. Edwin Lyman said NNSA should not be f ocused so much on reducing the size of nuclear waste. Instead, it should be concerned about the dangers of nuclear waste that make it hard to sto re. 忧思科学家联盟的核专家埃德温·莱曼（Edwin Lyman）也对美国核安全管理局 的计划表示了质疑。莱曼说，美国核管理安全局不应该如此关注减少核废料的体 积，相反它应该关注核废料难以储存的危险
Lyman said even a small amount of nuclear waste gives off radioactivity a nd heat. It " remains dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years he s aid 莱曼表示,即使是少量核废料也会产生放射性和热量。他说,这种危险会持续数 十万年。 The U.S. Department of Energy's nuclear security office is developing a project to help other countries deal with nuclear waste. The information comes from two sources who spoke to the Reuters news agency. They asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue The sources say the plan aims to keep the United States competitive against ot her countries that are developing their own waste technology. For example, bot h russia and france offer services to take care of nuclear was Dov Schwartz is the spokesman for the National Nuclear Security Administrati on. He confirmed the group is thinking about how to help other countries redu ce nuclear waste. However, Schwartz did not give details The NNSa also declined a Reuters request for an interview with Brent Park, who is lead ing the effort What would the technology do?
Lyman said even a small amount of nuclear waste gives off radioactivity a nd heat. It "remains dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years," he s aid. 莱曼表示，即使是少量核废料也会产生放射性和热量。他说，这种危险会持续数 十万年。 The U.S. Department of Energy's nuclear security office is developing a project to help other countries deal with nuclear waste. The information comes from two sources who spoke to the Reuters news agency. They asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. The sources say the plan aims to keep the United States competitive against ot her countries that are developing their own waste technology. For example, bot h Russia and France offer services to take care of nuclear waste. Dov Schwartz is the spokesman for the National Nuclear Security Administrati on. He confirmed the group is thinking about how to help other countries redu ce nuclear waste. However, Schwartz did not give details. The NNSA also declined a Reuters request for an interview with Brent Park, who is leading the effort. What would the technology do?
The unnamed sources say the technology could involve crushing, heating or se nding an electric current through nuclear waste to reduce its size The machinery to do so would be put in a"black box" the size of a shipping container. It would be sent to other countries with nuclear energy programs however, it would remain owned and operated by the United States, the s said The sources did not name countries to which the service would be offered th ey also did not say where the waste would be stored after it is run through th e equipment. But they said they were worried the processes could increase the risk of dangerous materials reaching militant groups or nations unfriendly to t he United States Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter banned nuclear waste reprocessing in 1977 The reprocessing opens pure amounts of uranium and plutonium, both of whi ch could be used to make nuclear bombs NNSA spokesperson Dov Schwartz said the plans under consideration do not i evolve reprocessing. But he did not say what technologies could be used The government of U.S. President Donald Trump has made promoting nuclear technology abroad a high priority. The U.S. Energy Secretary, Rick Perry, visit ed Saudi arabia this month for talks on a nuclear energy deal with the kingdo m. And the American business Westinghouse hopes to sell nuclear power techn ology to countries from Saudi Arabia to India But a top arms control officer during the obama administration questions the d irection of the Trump government. Thomas Countryman said the U.S. should i mprove its ability to get rid of its own nuclear waste before helping other cou ntries A nuclear expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists also expressed some do ubt about the NNSa plan. Edwin Lyman said NNSA should not be focused so much on reducing the size of nuclear waste. Instead. it should be concerned about the dangers of nuclear waste that make it hard to store "remains dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years, "he sa dioactivity and heat. It Lyman said even a small amount of nuclear waste gives off ra
The unnamed sources say the technology could involve crushing, heating or se nding an electric current through nuclear waste to reduce its size. The machinery to do so would be put in a "black box" the size of a shipping container. It would be sent to other countries with nuclear energy programs; however, it would remain owned and operated by the United States, the source s said. The sources did not name countries to which the service would be offered. Th ey also did not say where the waste would be stored after it is run through th e equipment. But they said they were worried the processes could increase the risk of dangerous materials reaching militant groups or nations unfriendly to t he United States. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter banned nuclear waste reprocessing in 1977. The reprocessing opens pure amounts of uranium and plutonium, both of whi ch could be used to make nuclear bombs. NNSA spokesperson Dov Schwartz said the plans under consideration do not i nvolve reprocessing. But he did not say what technologies could be used. Concerns The government of U.S. President Donald Trump has made promoting nuclear technology abroad a high priority. The U.S. Energy Secretary, Rick Perry, visit ed Saudi Arabia this month for talks on a nuclear energy deal with the kingdo m. And the American business Westinghouse hopes to sell nuclear power techn ology to countries from Saudi Arabia to India. But a top arms control officer during the Obama administration questions the d irection of the Trump government. Thomas Countryman said the U.S. should i mprove its ability to get rid of its own nuclear waste before helping other cou ntries. A nuclear expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists also expressed some do ubt about the NNSA plan. Edwin Lyman said NNSA should not be focused so much on reducing the size of nuclear waste. Instead, it should be concerned about the dangers of nuclear waste that make it hard to store. Lyman said even a small amount of nuclear waste gives off radioactivity and heat. It "remains dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years," he said
