阅读理解
On
paper, hydrogen (H2) looks like a dream fuel. Coal, oil, and natural gas
produce carbon dioxide, which warms the earth when burned, Hydrogen produces
pure water. Hydrogen packs more energy into less space than a battery (but
certainly less than petrol) . Also, empty tanks (燃料箱) can
be refilled with hydrogen much faster than refilling empty batteries with
electricity.
While
in practice, things are trickier. Storing a meaningful amount of hydrogen gas
requires pressing it several hundred-fold. Changing it into the liquid form is
another option, but it should be cooled to-253C. Both processes require a heavy
and strong tank. While a 700 bar tank is acceptable for a city bus or a truck,
adapting it for use in small vehicles is very difficult because the pressure
during refilling would be too great.
The
solution? Powerpaste.
A
German team of researchers, led by Marcus Vogt, have come up with an
interesting "powerpaste", which can store hydrogen energy at
atmospheric pressure, ready for release when needed. It is so named because it
comes in tubes and looks like toothpaste (牙膏) ,
not in its traditional form of gas.
The
main ingredient (原料) of the paste is
magnesium hydride, a substance that reacts with water to form hydrogen. The
escaped hydrogen can then be directed into a fuel cell, where it reacts with
oxygen from the air to produce electric power.
Refueling
is very simple, as instead of going to a filling station, drivers and riders
can simply replace an empty tube with a new one and refill the water tank.
Given
that powerpaste only begins to break down at temperatures of around 250℃ it
remains safe even when a vehicle stands in the baking sun for hours.
However,
we will have to be patient. Just because researchers have succeeded in
developing a new fueling way does not mean that we can expect to see such
vehicles on the road anytime soon. It will indeed be several years before this
concept is turned into reality.
(1)
As a fuel, what is the advantage of hydrogen over oil?
A . Refilling empty tanks will be more convenient.
B . It is less likely to worsen global warming
C . More energy can be packed in the same space.
D . It will produce pure water for people to drink.
(2)
What is Paragraph 2 mainly about?
A . The practical difficulties to use hydrogen as fuel in small vehicles.
B . The detailed processes of adapting a strong tank in small vehicles.
C . The differences in fueling between large vehicles and small ones.
D . The tricks of building strong tanks in small vehicles.
(3)
The author mentions the refueling process to show that powerpaste is______________.
A . inexpensive
B . powerful
C . convenient
D . environment-friendly
(4)
Why does the author call on the readers to be patient?
A . Powerpaste-driven vehicles sometimes move very slowly on the road.
B . Practical use of powerpaste-driven vehicles will not come very soon.
C . Powerpaste-driven vehicles can only work after being in the sun for hours
D . It will be years before the researchers work out the concept of powerpaste.
答案: B
A
C
B