Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Btu conversion factor:
A factor for converting energy data between one unit of
measurement and the British thermal unit (Btu). Btu conversion factors are
generally used to convert energy data from physical units of measure (such
as barrels, cubic feet, or short tons) into the energy-equivalent measure of
Btu.
Btu per cubic foot:
The total heating value, expressed in Btu, produced by the com-
bustion, at constant pressure, of the amount of the gas that would occupy
a volume of 1 cubic foot at a temperature of 60°F if saturated with water
vapor and under a pressure equivalent to that of 30 inches of mercy at 32°F
and under standard gravitational force (980.665 cm/sec
2
) with air of the
same temperature and pressure as the gas, when the products of combus-
tion are cooled to the initial temperature of the gas and air when the water
formed by combustion is condensed to the liquid state. (Sometimes called
gross heating value
or
total heating value
.)
Buffer zones:
Land bordering and protecting critical habitats or water bodies by
reducing runoff and non-point source pollution loading; areas created or
sustained to lessen the negative effects of land development on animals,
plants, and their habitats.
Bulk density:
Weight per unit of volume, usually specified in pounds per cubic foot.
Bunker fuels:
Fuel supplied to ships and aircraft, both domestic and foreign, consist-
ing primarily of residual and distillate fuel oil for ships and kerosene-based
jet fuel for aircraft. The term
international bunker fuels
is used to denote
the consumption of fuel for international transport activities.
Note:
For the
purposes of greenhouse gas emissions inventories, data on emissions from
the combustion of international bunker fuels are subtracted from national
emissions totals. Historically, bunker fuels have meant only ship fuel.
Burnup:
Amount of thermal energy generated per unit mass of fuel, expressed
as gigawatt-days thermal per metric ton of initial heavy metal (GWDT/
MTIHM), rounded to the nearest gigawatt day.
Butane (C
4
H
10
):
A straight-chain or branch-chain hydrocarbon extracted from natu-
ral gas or refinery gas streams, which is gaseous at standard temperature
and pressure. It includes isobutene and normal butane and is designated in
ASTM Specification D1835 and Gas Processors Association specifications
for commercial butane.
Butylene (C
4
H
8
):
An olefinic hydrocarbon recovered from refinery or petrochemical
processes, which is gaseous at standard temperature and pressure. Butylene
is used in the production of gasoline and various petrochemical products.
C
Calcination:
A process in which a material is heated to a high temperature without
fusing, so that hydrates, carbonates, or other compounds are decomposed
and the volatile material is expelled.
Calcium sulfate:
A white crystalline salt, insoluble in water. Used in Keene's
cement, in pigments, as a paper filler, and as a drying agent.
