Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Swell period (SwP):
The peak period in seconds of the swells. If more than one
swell is present, this is the period of the swell containing the maximum
energ y.
Syngas:
A synthesis gas produced through gasification of biomass. Syngas is similar
to natural gas and can be cleaned and conditioned to form a feedstock for
production of methanol.
T
Tall oil:
The oily mixture of rosin acids, fatty acids, and other materials obtained by
acid treatment of the alkaline liquors from the digesting (pulping) of pine
wood.
Terminator:
A floating structure that moves at or near the water surface and absorbs
energy in only a single direction. The device extends in the direction nor-
mal to the predominant wave direction, so that as waves arrive the device
restrains them. Again, resonance may be employed and the power take-off
system may take a variety of forms.
Terrestrial sequestration:
Basic sequestration of carbon in above- and below-
ground biomass and soils.
Thermal drawdown:
Decline in formation temperature due to geothermal
production.
Thermal gradient:
The rate of increase in temperature as a function of depth into
the Earth's crust.
Thermosiphon system:
A solar collector system for water heating in which circula-
tion of the collection fluid through a storage loop is provided solely by the
temperature and density difference between the hot and cold fluids.
Thin-film silicon:
A technology in which amorphous or polycrystalline material is
used to make photovoltaic (PV) cells.
Tiltmeter:
Device able to measure extremely small changes in its rotation from hori-
zontal. The tilt measured by an array of tiltmeters emplaced over a stimula-
tion allows delineation of inflation and fracturing caused by the stimulation.
Tipping fee:
A fee for disposal of waste.
Total dissolved solids (TDS):
The amount of solid materials in water.
Tower:
Steel structures that support a turbine assembly. Higher towers allow for
longer blades and the capture of faster moving air at higher altitudes.
Tracer:
A chemical injected into the flow stream of a production or injection well to
determine fluid path and velocity.
Transformer:
Used to step up or step down AC voltage or AC current.
Transmission line:
Structures and conductors that carry bulk supplies of electrical
energy from power-generating units.
Transmission system, electric:
An interconnected group of electric transmission
lines and associated equipment for moving or transferring electric energy
in bulk between points of supply and points at which it is transformed for
delivery over the distribution system lines to consumers, or is delivered to
other electric systems.
