Glossary

ACHE

Air Cooled Heat Exchanger

A finned-tube (extended surface) heat exchanger with hot fluids inside the tubes and cooling air that is fan-blown or fan-pulled across the tube bank.

AHRC

Arts and Humanities Research Council

One of the UK Research Councils

Bell Prover

Used to verify the accuracy of a gas meter, they provide a volume of air that may be predetermined by calculated temperature, pressure and the effective diameter of the bell

BAT

Best Available Technique/
Technology

A term applied with regulations on limiting pollutant discharges with regard to the abatement strategy

BREFS

Best Available Techniques
Reference Guides

Reference documents used when considering environmental impact, especially BAT

BPEO

Best Practicable
Environmental Option

A term applied with regulations on limiting pollutant discharges with regard to the abatement strategy

BPM

Best Practicable Means

A term applied with regulations on limiting pollutant discharges with regard to the abatement strategy

BIP

Binary Interaction
Parameter

Used in activity coefficient modelling, it eliminates the use of experimentla data

BEIS

Bio-energy Infrastructure
Scheme

A UK Government scheme to help develop the supply chain for woodfuel, energy crops and straw

BBSRC

Biotechnology and
Biological Sciences Research Council

One of the UK Research Councils

BNSC

British National Space
Centre

Organisation

BS

British Standard

Produced by the BSI Group (which is the formally designated National Standards Body for the UK)

BSI

British Standards
Institution

The National Standards Body for the UK

BWEA

British Wind Energy
Association

Trade and Professional Body

BIPM

Bureau International des
Poids et Mesures

Organisation

CAPP

Canadian Association
of Petroleum Producers

Organisation

CAT

Carbon Abatement Technologies

A UK government initiative to help develop technologies which will contribute significantly to meeting UK and EU climate change targets whilst providing significant market opportunities for a strong UK capability base

CCS 

Carbon Capture & Storage

A means of mitigating the contributin of fossil fuel emissions to global warming, based on capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from large point sources such as fossil fuel power plants, and store it away from atmosphere by different means.

CCSA 

Carbon Capture & Storage
Association

Organisation

c

centi

Hundredth. A prefix in the internatinal system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to inverse power of two

cgs

Centimetre-gram-second
system

A metric system of physical units based on length, mass and time. Used to cover electromagnetism.

cSt or cs

Centistoke

A cgs unit of kinematic viscosity in customery use, equal to the kinematic viscosity of a fluid having a dynamic viscosity of 1 centipoise and a density of 1 gram per cubic centimetre

CEED

Centre for Engineering
Education & Development

Organisation

Clamp On Meter

Type of non-intrusive meter

CDM

Clean Development Mechanism 

One of three flexibility mechanisms set forth in the Kyoto Protocol to help coutnries with binding greenhouse gas emissions targets to meet their obligations

Coefficient of Discharge

In a nozzle or other constriction, the ratio of the mass flow rate at the discharge end of the nozzle to that of an ideal nozzle which expands an identical working fluid from the same initial conditions to the same exit pressure

CFML

ColdFusion Mark-up
Language

A scripting language used by Adobe, coldFusion, BlueDragon and Rail, as well as other CFML server engines

CEN

Comite Europeen de
Normalisation

The European Committee for Standardisation

CIP

Competitiveness and
Innovation Framework

A framework programme from the European Commission which ismeant to improve the competitiveness of European companies facing the challenges of globalisation

CNG

Compressed Natural Gas

A fossil fuel substitute for petrol, diesel or propane

CFD 

Computational Fluid
Dynamics

A field of study concerned with the use of high-speed digital computers to numerically solve the complete nonlinear partial differential equations governing viscous fluid flows

CBI

Confederation of British
Industry

Organisation

Coriolis flowmeter

An instrument which determines mass flow rate from the torque

k

Coverage Factor 

Used in expanded uncertainty to determine the desired level of confidence

C*

Critical flow factor

A parameter dependent on the thermophysical properties of a gas at the throat of a nozzle. Used to calibrate flowmeters in gas flow measurement

CFV

Critical Flow Venturi

A flow measurement standard and flowmeter which can be used as a calibration standard for gas flowmeters or any flow measurement device. Also known as Sonic Nozzle.

Crude Oil

Unrefined petroleum

Cryogenic

Or, or relating to, low temperature

DEA

Danish Energy Authority

Organisation

DVal 

Data Validation

The checking of data for correctness, or the determinatin of compliance with applicable standards, rules and conventions

da

deca

Ten. A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to the first power

d

deci

Tenth. A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to inverse power of one

Density

The mass per unit volume of a substance under specified conditions of pressure and temperature

BIS

Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills

Organisation

DECC

Department of Energy
and Climate Change

Organisation

DEFRA

Department of Environment,
Food and Climate Change

Organisation

DH

Department of Health

Organisation

DUT

Device Under Test

A term commonly used to refer to a manufactured product undergoing testing. Also known as Unit Under Test.

Differential pressure 

The difference in pressure between two points of a system, such as between the well bottom and wellhead or between the two sides of an orifice

DG

Directorate General 

A governmental department in the institutions of the European Union

Cd (or C)

Discharge Coefficient

In a nozzle or other constriction, the ratio of the mass flow rate at the discharge end of the nozzle to that of an ideal nozzle which expands an identical working fluid from the same initial conditions to the same exit pressure.

Dynamic

Of, or relating to, energy or to objects in motion

ESRC

Economic and Social
Research Council

One of the UK Research Councils

ECT

Electrical Capacitance
Tomography

A method for the determination of the dielectric permittivity distribution in the interior of an object from external capacitance measurements

EIT

Electrical Impedance
Tomography

An imaging technique in which an image of the conductivity or permittivity of an object is inferred from surface electrical measurements

ERT

Electrical Resistance
Tomography

An imaging technique in which an image of the conductivity or permittivity of an object is inferred from surface electrical measurements

Electromagnetic flowmeter

A flowmeter that offers no obstruction to liquid flow; two coils produce an electromagnetic field in the conductive moving fluid; the current indicted in the liquid detected by the two eclectrodes is directly proportional to the rate of flow.

Emissions Club

NEL hosted network group

ERU

Emissions Reduction Unit

In the reduction of greenhouse gases, particularly under joint impelementation, it represents one tonne of CO2 equivalent reduced

ET

Emissions Trading

One of three flexibility mechanisms set forth in the Kyoto protocol to help countries with binding greenhouse gas emissions targets to meet their obligations

Emissions Trading Scheme

A means of achieving environmental objectives at potentialy lower cost than the more traditinal use of uniform standards on emissions sources. Examples include offsets, open market trading system and cap-and-trade systems

E2B

Energy Efficient Buildings
Research Association

Organisation

EI 

Energy Institute

Organisation

EPSRC

Engineering and Physical
Sciences Research Council

One of the UK Research Councils

EOR

Enhanced Oil Recovery

A generic term for techniques for increasing the amount of crude oil that can be extracted from an oil field.

EEN

Enterprise Europe Network

Organisation

EES

Enterprise Europe Scotland

Organisation

EA

Environment Agency

The environmental agency responsible for England and Wales

EEMS

Environmental Emissions
Monitoring System

The environmental database of the UK oil and gas industry, founded in 1992

EIA

Environmental Impact
Assessment

An assessment of the possible impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects

EPA

Environmental Protection
Agency 

A US Government agency that sets and enforces national pollution-control standards.

EOS

Equation of State

A mathematical expression which defines the physical state of a homogenous substance (gas, liquid or solid) by relating volume to pressure and absolute temperature for a given mass of the material

Equation of State

Any of a class of equations that relate the pressure, volume and temperature of a given substance in thermodynamic equilibrium.

Equilibrium

A condition in which all acting influences are cancelled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced or unchanging system

EURAMET

European Association
of National Metrology
Institutes

Organisation

EFFRA

European Factories of the
Future Research Association

Organisation

EMRP

European Metrology
Research Programme

A metrology focused European programme of co-ordinated research and development that facilitates closer integration of national research programmes

EU

European Union

Organisation

EU ETS

European Union Greenhouse
Gas Emissions Trading
Scheme

The European Union Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme

U

Expanded Uncertainty

A measure of uncertainty that defines an interval about the measurement result within which the value of the measure can be confidently asserted to lie

Expansibility

Capable of being extended or expanded

FEA

Finite Element Analysis

An approximation method for studying continuous physical systems; the system is broken into discrete elements interconnected at discrete node points

Flare Gas 

Surplus gas that is disposed of by combustion in the open

Flaring 

Increasing the diameter at the end of a pipe or tube OR the combustion of surplus gas (flare gas)

Flexibility Mechanism

As defined under the Kyoto Protocol, mechanisms enable partners to achieve emissions reductions or to remove carbon from the atmosphere cost-effectively in other countries.

FIBC

Flexible Intermediate
Bulk Containers

A standardised container in large dimensions for storing and transporting dry products.  Other names include big bag, bulk bag and super sack.

Flow measurement

The determination of the quantity of a fluid, either a liquid, a vapour or a gas, that passes through a pipe, duct or open channel

Flow Meter

Device that measures the velocity of a gas or a liquid

Flow Regime

The physical geometry exhibited by a multiphase flow in a conduit

Flowmeter 

Device that measures the velocity of a gas or liquid

Fluid dynamics

The branch of applied science that is concerned with the movement of gases and liquids

FEED 

Front End Engineering
Design

The process for conceptual development of processing industry projects such as in upstream, petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors

FEL

Front-End Loading

The process for conceptual development of processing industry projects such as in upstream, petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors

R

Gas Constant

The constant of proportionality which relates the pressure and the volume of a quantity of gas to the absolute temperature

GT

Gas Turbine

An internal-combustion engine consisting essentially of an air compressor, combustion chamber, and turbine wheel that is turned by the expanding products of combustion

GVF

Gas Volume Fraction

The gas volume flow rate, relative to the multiphase volume flow rate, at the pressure and temperature prevailing in that section

GLR

Gas-liquid-ratio

The gas volume flow rate, relative to the total liquid volume flow rate, all volumes converted to volumes at standard pressure and temperature

GOR

Gas-Oil-Ratio

The gas volume flow rate, relative to the oil volumes flow rate, both converted to volumes at standard pressure and temperature

G

giga

Billion (US).  A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to the ninth power

GGFR

Global Gas Flaring
Reduction (Partnership) 

A public-private partnership which aims to overcome the barriers to reducing gas flaring by sharing global best practices and implementation country specific programs

GWP

Global Warming Potential

The ratio of global warming or radiation forcing from 1 kilogram of a greenhouse gas to 1 kilogram of carbon dioxide over 100 years, expressed per mole per kilogram

Greenhouse effect

The phenomenon whereby the earth's atmosphere traps solar radiation, caused by the presence in the atmosphere of gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapour and methane 

GHG

Greenhouse Gas

Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect

HSE

Health and Safety
Executive

Organisation

Heat Exchanger

A device used to transfer head from a fluid on one side of a barrier to a fluid on the other side without bringing the fluids into direct contact

HO

Heavy Oil

The high-boiling, relatively viscous fractions of petroleum or coal tar oils

h

hecto

Hundred.  A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to the second power

HP

High Pressure

Of, or relating to, pressure higher than normal, especially higher than atmospheric pressure

HT

High Temperature

Of, or relating to, temperature higher than normal, especially higher than atmospheric temperature

HVM

High Value Manufacturing

Companies which have strong financial performance but they also generate significant value externally

HIE

Highlands and Islands
Enterprise

Organisation

HTML

Hypertext Mark-up Language

A mark-up language used to structure text and multimedia documents and to set up hypertext links between documents, used extensively on the World Wide Web

IPA

Industrial Power Association

Organisation

ICT 

Information and Communications
Technology

Allows users to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activates are increasingly transformed by access to varied and developing technologies.

IR

Infrared (analysis technique)

Of, or relating to, the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from about 750 nanometres t0 1 millimetre.  Used for chemical analysis

InstMC

Institute of Measurement
and Control

Organisation

IET

Institution of Engineering
and Technology

Organisation

IMechE

Institution of Mechanical
Engineers

Organisation

IPPC

Integrated Pollution
Prevention And Control

A directive of the European Union, issued 15th January 2008

ID

Interface detection

Product detection within a hydrocarbon pipeline

ILM

Interface level detection

Product detection inside a strorage vessel

IPCC 

Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change

Organisation

IEC

International Electrotechnical
Commission

Organisation

IETA

International Emissions
Trading Authority

Organisation

IMEKO

International Measurement
Confederation

Organisation

OIML

International Organisation
for Legal Metrology

Organisation

ISO

International Organization
for Standardization

Organisation

ISIU

International Science
& Innovation Unit

Organisation

SI

International System of Units

The modern form of the metric systems, generally devised around the convenience of the number ten.

JS

JavaScript

A scripting language that is added to standard HTML to create interactive documents

Je-S

Joint Electronic Submission

A new portal for electronic grant services; used by the Research Councils UK

JI

Joint Implementation 

One of three flexibility mechanisms set forth in the Kyoto Protocol to help countries with binding greenhouse gas emissions targets to meet their obligations

JIP 

Joint Industry Project

A route to carry our expensive research and development but spread the costs over a number of interested parties

JTI

Joint Technology Initiative

A public-private partnership model from the European Commission aimed at implementing  FP7

J or j

Joule

A unit of energy equal to the work done when a force of one Newton acts through a distance of one meter

k

kilo

Thousand.  A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to the third power

Kinematic

The branch of mechanics that studies the motion of a body or a system of bodies without consideration given to its mass or the forces acting on it

KTN 

Knowledge Transfer Networks

A partially funded knowledge transfer organisation that brings together the views of those in a variety of sectors, led by the Technology Strategy Board.

KTP

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

A partially funded programme to encourage collaboration between businesses and universities, led by the Technology Strategy Board

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement that aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the presence of greenhouse gases

LGC

Laboratory of the Government
Chemist

Organisation

LGC

Laboratory of Government
Chemists

Previously one of the Government's research laboratories staffed by scientists and engineers.  Established in 1996 following the privatisation of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist

LCPD

Large Combustion Plant
Directive

An European Union directive which sets emission standards for member countries for nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulates from all power stations with an installed capacity greater than 50 megawatts

LKP

Lee-Kesler-Plocker Equation

Used in thermodynamical formulae, it is an equation of state

LNG 

Liquefied Natural Gas

A product of natural gas which consists primarily of methanes, which is cooled to cryogenic temperatures to be held in a liquid state.

LPG 

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

A mixture of gases, chiefly propane and butane, produced commercially from petroleum and stored under pressure to keep it in a liquid state

LLE

Liquid / Liquid Equilibrium

The equilibrium relationship between two liquids

Load Testing

A process of putting demand on a system or device and measuring its response

LCT 

Low Carbon 

Of, or relating to, anything which produces fewer greenhouse gases than traditional methods

LIB

Low Impact Buildings

Construction of buildings with a lower environmental impact than traditional buildings

Manometer

An instrument used for measuring the pressure of liquids and gases

Mass flow rate 

The mass of a substance which passes through a given surface per unit time

Measurement

The dimension, quantity, or capacity determined by measuring

MET

Measurement for Emerging
Technologies

A government initiative to develop a measurement infrastructure to focus on emerging technologies key to innovation and productivity

MfI

Measurement for Innovators

A government initiative to promote and sponsor innovation and strengthen the relationship between industry and the NMS

MRG

Measurement Reporting
Guidelines (EU ETS) 

Legally binding (despite 'guideline' name) framework for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gases 

MRS 

Medical Research Scotland

Organisation

M

mega

Million.  A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to the sixth power

Meter-factor

A factor used with a meter to correct for ambient conditions, for example, the factor for a fluid-flow meter to compensate for such conditions as liquid temperature change and pressure shrinkage

metrology

The science that deals with measurement

μ

micro

Millionth.  A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to inverse power of six

MEMS

Micro-Electro-Mechanical
Systems

The integration of mechanical elements, sensors, actuators and electronics on a common silicon substrate through microfabrication technology

Microgeneration 

The generation of zero or low-carbon heat and power by individuals, small businesses and communities to meet their own needs

MCS

Microgeneration Certification
Scheme

A product and installer certification scheme to cover all the microgeneration technologies (previously called The UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme)

m

milli

Thousandth.  A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to inverse power of three

MCERTS 

Monitoring Certification
Scheme

Administered by the Environment Agency

MPF

Multiphase Flow

A mixture of two or more distinct phases (such as oil, water and gas) flowing through a closed conduit

MPFM

Multiphase Flow Meter

A device used in the oil and gas industry to measure the individual phase flow rates of petroleum, water and gas mixtures produced during oil production processes

n

nano

Billionth (US).  A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to inverse power of nine

NCP

National Contact Point

Within the context of European Commission FP7, NCP provide advice and individual assistance in all member states.

NESTA

National Endowment for
Science, Technology
and the Arts

Organisation

NEL 

National Engineering
Laboratory 

Previously one of the Government's research laboratories staffed by scientists and engineers.  Established in 1948.  Now under private ownership

NIHR

National Institute of Health Research

Organisation

NIST

National Institute of
Standards & Technology
(USA)

Organisation

NMI

National Measurement
Institute

One of the UK's National Measurement Laboratories, part of NMS

MNO

National Measurement
Office

Organisation

NMS

National Measurement
System

The UK's national infrastructure of measurement laboratories

NPL

National Physical Laboratory

Organisation

NWML

National Weights and
Measurement Laboratory

Organisation

NERC

Natural Environment Research Council

One of the UK Research Councils

N

Newton

In the meter-kilogram-second system, the unit of force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram one meter per second per second.

NOx

Nitrogen Oxides

A generic term for mono-nitrogen oxides which are produced during combustion, especially combustion at high temperatures

NTP

Normal Temperature and Pressure

A temperature of zero degrees centigrade and a pressure of 1 atmosphere.  Also known as standard temperature and pressure

NSFMW

North Sea Flow
Measurement Workshop

NEL technical conference

NCS

Norwegian Continental
Shelf

Region of waters around Norway, includes parts of the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea.  Rich in petroleum and gas

NPD

Norwegian Petroleum
Directorate

Norwegian government agency responsibility for the regulation of the petroleum resources on the Norwegian continental shelf. Also know as Oljedirektoratet

OE or OSE

Offshore Europe

A biennial conference and exhibition for the oil and gas industry taking place in Aberdeen, Scotland.

OGP

Offshore Gas Producers
(International Association
of) 

Organisation

OTC

Offshore Technology
Conference

An annual conference and exhibition for the oil and gas industry taking place in Houston, USA.

OFGEM

OFGEM

The regulator for the electricity and gas markets in Great Britain

OGFG 

Oil & Gas Focus Group

NEL hosted network group

Oil in Water Club 

NEL hosted network group

OIW 

Oil-in-Water Monitoring

Required for the minimisation of oil pollution entering the environment

OD

Oljedirektoratet

Norwegian government agency responsibility for the regulation of the petroleum resources on the Norwegian continental shelf. Also known as Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

Orifice Plate

A disk, with a hole, placed in a pipeline to constrict the flow.  Measuring the pressure differential across the constriction gives the flow rate

PR

Peng-Robinson Equation

Used in thermodynamical formulae, it is an equation of state

PPE

Personal Protective
Equipment

Protective equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury

Phase

A chemically and physically uniform quantity of matter than can be separated mechanically from a nonhomogeneous mixture.  It may consist of a single substance or of a mixture of substances.

Phase volume fraction

The phase volume flow rate of the phases of a multiphase flow, relative to the multiphase volume flow rate

PPDS

Physical Property Data
Service

A thermoserver suite of software packages and databases  used provide quality-assured physical property data for a wide range of process engineering applications.

p

pico

Trillionth.  A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to inverse power of twelve

Pitot tube

A device, essentially a tube set parallel to the direction of fluid-stream movement and attached to a manometer, used to measure the total pressure of the fluid stream

PHE

Plate Heat Exchanger

A type of heat exchanger that uses metal plates to transfer heat between two fluids

PRP

Policy Research
Programme

A national programme of research dedicated to providing an effective evidence base of policy-making in the Department of Health.

PD

Positive Displacement
Flowmeter

Any type of flow meter that requires the fluid being measured to mechanically displace components in the meter in order for any fluid flow to occur.

PEMS

Predictive Emissions
Monitoring System

The total equipment necessary for the determination of a gas concentration or emission rate using process or control device operating parameter measurement and a conversion equation, a graph, or computer program to produce results in units of the applicable emission limitation or standard.

PPP

Pre-Project Planning

The process for conceptual development of processing industry projects such as in upstream, petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors

PW 

Produced Water

Water that is produced along with oil and gas, originating from water that is trapped in permeable sedimentary rocks within the wellbore

Produced Water Club

NEL hosted network group

Proof Testing

Verifies that the device or structure complies with its specification and safety requirements.

Prover

A device which verifies  the accuracy of a meter

PPP

Public Private Partnership

A government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies.

Raster scan

Where an image is subdivided into a sequence of (usually horizontal) strips know as 'scan lines'.

Ratio of specific heats

The ratio of specific heat at constant pressure to specific heat at constant volume

RKS

Redlich-Kwong-Soave
Equation

An equation of state that can accurately describe both the liquid and vapour phases

Reference meter

Often used in the practical calibration of flow meters, it is an instrument with a well known calibration history and normally with an uncertainty of measurement significantly superior to the flow meter under calibration.  

R+D

Research and Development

Creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications

Reynolds Number

A dimensionless number which is significant in the design of a model of any system in which the effect of viscosity is important in controlling the velocities or the flow pattern of a fluid

SEM

Scanning Electron
Microscope

A type of microscope that images the sample surface by scanning it with a high-energy beam of electrons in a raster scan pattern

STFC

Science and Technology Facilities Council

One of the UK Research Councils

SDI

Scottish Development International

Organisation

SE

Scottish Enterprise

Organisation

SEPA

Scottish Environment
Protection Agency

Organisation

FP7

Seventh Framework
Programme

The European Union's chief instrument for funding research over the period 2007 to 2013

Shell and Tube Heat
Exchanger

A type of heat exchanger that consists of a shell (a large pressure vessel) with a bundle of tubes inside it

SME

Small and Medium Enterprises

Companies whose headcount or turnover falls below certain limits - these vary according to the advisory body.

SWT

Small Wind Turbine

Wind turbines which have a lower energy output than large commercial wind turbines such as those found on wind farms.  Usually less than 13m in diameter and less than 10kw watts power output.

SMMT

Society of Motor
Manufacturers & Traders

Organisation

SLE

Solid / Liquid Equilibrium

The equilibrium relationship between the solid and its vapour

Sonar testing

A type of non-destructive testing where the travel time of low-power ultrasonic waves are used to determine material properties

Sonic Nozzle

A flow measurement standard and flowmeter which can be used as a calibration standard for gas flowmeters or any flow measurement device.  Also known as Critical Flow Venturi

STA

Source Testing Association

Organisation

SEA

South East Asia
Hydrocarbon Flow
Measurement Workshop

NEL technical conference

STP

Standard Temperature
and Pressure

A temperature of zero degrees centigrade and a pressure of 1 atmosphere.  Also known as normal temperature and pressure

Steam

The vapour phase of water

SQL

Structured Query Language

Computer programming language used for retrieving records or parts of records in databases and performing various calculations before displaying the results

SSSV

Subsurface Safety Valve

A component on an oil and gas well which acts as a failsafe to prevent the uncontrolled release of reservoir fluids in the event of a worst case scenario surface disaster

TC Flow

Technical Committee for
flow within EURAMET

Organisation

TUV 

Technischer
Uberwachungs-Verein

A German certifying body involved with product safety for the European Community

TP

Technology Programme

A research and development initiative administered by the Technology Strategy Board

TSB

Technology Strategy Board

A UK public body operating at arm's length from the government reporting to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

T

tera

Trillion.  A prefix in the international system of units (SI) demoting a factor of 10 raised to the twelfth power

ThAW

The Americas Workshop

NEL technical conference

BERR

The Department for
Business, Enterprise and
Regulatory Reform 

Organisation

TMF

Thermal Mass Flowmeter

Devices that use combinations of heated element and temperature sensors to measure the difference between static and flowing heat transfer to a fluid and infer its flow with a knowledge of the fluid's specific heat and density

Thermodynamics

Physics that deals with the relationships and conversions between heat and other form of energy

TLA

Three Letter Abbreviation

The shortening of a meaningful phrase into a series of letters or an acronym which confuses the majority of readers

Throat area

The area of the minimum cross section of a nozzle

Turbine flowmeters

Translates the mechanical action of the turbine rotating in the liquid flow around an axis into a user-readable rate of flow.  Also known as axial turbine

TUV NEL

Organisation

Two phase flow

A mixture of two distinct phases (such as oil, water or gas) flowing through a closed conduit

UKRO

UK Research Office

Organisation

UKTI

UK Trade & Investment

Organisation

USM 

Ultrasonic flowmeters

Measures the velocity of any liquid or gas through a pipe using ultrasonic transducers.

Ultrasonic testing 

A non-destructive test method that employs high-frequency mechanical vibration energy to detect and locate structural discontinuities or differences 

Umbilicals

Any of the various external electrical lines or fluid tubes which connects one portion of an oil and gas system to another

Uncertainty

The estimated amount or percentage by which an observed or calculated value may differ from the true value

UUT

Unit Under Test

A term commonly used to refer to a manufactured product undergoing testing.  Also known as Device Under Test

UKAS

United Kingdom
Accreditation Service

Organisation

UKCS 

United Kingdom
Continental Shelf

The region of waters surrounding the UK, principally referring to the North Sea

UNFCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

An international treaty produced at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit) in 1992

Vapour

A visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance

VLLE

Vapour / Liquid / Liquid Equilibrium

The equilibrium relationship between the liquid, the liquid and its vapour

VLE

Vapour / Liquid Equilibrium

The equilibrium relationship between the liquid and its vapour

Vapour pressure

The pressure exerted by a vapour in equilibrium with its solid or liquid phase

VA

Variable area flowmeter

A tapered tube with a float inside.  As flow rate increases greater viscous and pressure forces on the float cause it to rise until is becomes stationary at a location in the tube that is wide enough for the forces to balance. Also called a rotameter

Venturi flowmeter

Measures by constricting the flow in some fashion, and pressure sensors measure the differential pressure before and within the constriction

Viscosity

The condition or property of being viscous (relative resistance to flow)

Void fraction

The cross-sectional area locally occupied by the gas phase of a multiphase flow, relative to the cross-sectional area of the conduit at the same position

VOC

Volatile Organic Compounds

Organic chemical compounds that have high enough vapour pressures under normal conditions to significantly vaporise and enter the earth's atmosphere

Q

Volumetric flow rate

The volume of fluid which passes through a given surface per unit time

WC

Water Cut

The water volume flow rate, relative to the total liquid volume flow rate, both converted to volumes at standard pressure and temperature

WLR

Water to Liquid Ratio

The water volumes flow rate, relative to the total liquid volume flow rate, at the pressure and temperature prevailing in that section

Water vapour

Water in a gaseous state, especially when diffused as a vapour in the atmosphere and at a temperature below boiling point

WLB

Water weight bags

Water filled ballast bags used for load testing cranes and other lifting gear

W

Watt

The international system unit of power equal to one joule per second

Wet gas

Natural gas produced along with crude petroleum in oil fields or from gas-condensate fields; in addition to methane, it contains ethane, propane, butanes, and some higher hydrocarbons such as pentane and hexane

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Xmas Tree

A device comprised of pipes and valves that caps a producing natural gas or oil well and controls its flow