Glossary of Petroleum Industry Common Terms

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[CENTER]Glossary of Petroleum Industry Common Terms/CENTER]
A

AAMA

American Automobile Manufacturers

Association

Absorption

The process by which one substance draws into

itself another substance. Examples: a sponge

picking up water; an oil recovering gasoline from

wet natural gas.

ACEA

Association des Constrecteurs Europeens

(Association of European Automotive

Manufacturers)

Acid

A member of an important and fundamental

category of chemical substances characterized

by having an available reactive hydrogen and

requiring an alkali to neutralize them. Acid

solutions usually have a sour, biting and tart

taste like vinegar.

Acid Sludge

The residue left after treating petroleum oil with

sulfuric acid for the removal of impurities. It is

a black, viscous substance containing spent

acid and impurities.

Acid Treating

A refining process in which unfinished petroleum

products, such as gasoline, kerosene and

lubricating oil stocks, are contacted with sulfuric

acid to improve their color, odor and other

properties.

Acidity

The amount of free acid in any substance.

Additive

An agent used for imparting new, or for

improving existing characteristics of lubricating

oils or greases.

Additive Level

The total percentage of all additives in an oil.

Adhesion

The force or forces causing two materials such

as a lubricating grease and a metal, to stick

together.

AFV

Alternate Fuel Vehicle

AGMA

American Gear Manufacturers Association

Air Entrainment

The incorporation of air in the form of bubbles

as a dispersed phase in the bulk liquid. Air may

be entrained in a liquid through mechanical

means and/or by release of dissolved air due

to a sudden change in environment. The

presence of entrained air is usually readily

apparent from the appearance of the liquid (i.e.,

bubbly, opaque, etc.), while dissolved air can

only be determined by analysis.

Alkali

In chemistry, any substance having basic

properties. The term is applied to hydroxides of

ammonium, lithium, potassium, and sodium.

They are soluble in water and have the power

to neutralize acids and form salts. They turn red

litmus blue. In a more general sense, the term

is also applied to the hydroxides of the so-called

alkaline earth metals- barium, calcium and

strontium.

Almen EP Lubricant Tester

A journal bearing machine used for determining

the load-carrying capacity or extreme pressure

properties of gear lubricants.

Ambient Temperature

Temperature of the area or atmosphere around

a process, (not the operating temperature of the

process itself ) .

Anhydrous

Free of water, especially of crystallization.

Aniline Point

The minimum temperature for complete

miscibility of equal volumes of aniline and the

sample under test ASTM Method D 611. A

product of high aniline point will be low in

aromatics and naphthenes and, therefore, high

in paraffins. Aniline point is often specified for

spray oils, cleaning solvents, and thinners,

where effectiveness depends upon aromatic

content. In conjunction with API gravity, the

aniline point may be used to calculate the net

heat of combustion for aviation fuels.

Anti-foam Agent

An additive used to control foam.

Antifreeze Solution

A fluid, such as ethylene or propylene glycol,

which is added to or used to replace the water

in the cooling system of engines in order to

prevent freezing.

Anti-friction Bearing

A type of bearing using rollers or balls. They

are also known as rolling bearings.

Antiknock

Resistance to detonation or pinging in sparkignition

engines.

Antioxidant

A chemical added to lubrication oils to resist

oxidation.

API

American Petroleum Institute

API Engine Service Classification System

Classifications and designations for lubricating

oils for automotive engines developed by API

in conjunction with SAE and ASTM. API Service

categories: Service SJ, SH, SG, SF, SE, SD,

SC, SB, CH, CG-4, CF, CF-II, CE, CD, CD-II,

CC, CB, and CA.

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B

Barrel

A unit of liquid measure comprised of 42 gallons.

It is used to measure quantities of crude oil

gasoline and fuel oils.

Batch

Any quantity of material handled or considered

as a unit in processing.

Bentonite

The mineral montmorillonite, a magnesiumaluminum

silicate. It is used as a treating agent

also, as a component of drilling mud, and in

greases.

Benzene

Colorless liquid hydrocarbon, C6H6, with one

ring of carbon atoms. Made from coal tar and

by catalytic reforming of naphthenes, it is used

in the manufacture of phenol, styrene, nylon,

detergents, aniline, phthalic, anhydride,

biphenyl, nitrobenzene, chlorbenzene; as a

solvent; and as a component of high-octane

gasoline .

Benzene Insoluble

That portion of the normal pentane insoluble in

used lubricating oils which is not soluble in

benzene, and which may include the insoluble

contaminants from external sources, some

matter produced by oxidation and thermal

decomposition of the oil, the oil additives or the

fuel. (ASTM Method D 893) .

Blending

The process of mixing lubricants or components

for the purpose of obtaining the desired physical

and/or chemical properties (see compounding ) .

Bloom

Fluorescence is the color of an oil by reflected

light which could differ from its color by

transmitted light.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a substance boils, or

is converted into vapor by bubbles forming

within the liquid; it varies with pressure.

Bottoms

The liquid which collects in the bottom of a

vessel (tower bottoms, tank bottoms), either

during a fractionating process or while in

storage.

Boundary Lubrication

The state of lubrication when conditions exist

that do not permit the formation of a lubricant

film capable of completely separating the

moving parts.

Bright Stock

Refined, high viscosity base oils usually made

from residual stocks by suitable treatment, such

as a combination of solvent extraction, propane

asphating or catalytic dewaxing.

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

The quantity of heat required to raise, by 1°F,

the temperature of one pound of water at its

maximum density (39.2°F).

BS&W

The material which collects in the bottom of

storage tanks, usually composed of oil, water

and foreign matter. Also called bottoms, or

bottom settling and water.

BTC

British Technical Council

Bunker “C” Fuel Oil

A heavy residual fuel oil used by ships and

large-scale heating installations. The United

States Navy calls it “Navy heavy”; in industry, it

is often referred to as No. 6 fuel.

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C

CAFE

Corporate Average Fuel Economy

Calorie

1. The amount of heat required to raise the

temperature of 1 g of water 1°C, at or near the

temperature of maximum density. This unit is

called a “small calorie”, or “gram calorie”.

2. The amount of heat required to raise the

temperature of 1 kg of water 1°C. This unit is

called a “large calorie” or “kilogram-calorie”.

Capillary Viscometer

A viscometer in which the oil flows through a

capillary tube.

CARB

California Air Resources Board

CCMC

Comite des Constructeurs d’Automobile du

Marche Commun (Common Market Automobile

Manufacturers Association)

CEC

Coordinating European Council

Centistoke (cSt)

The worldwide unit of kinematic viscosity. (See

inside cover for Viscosity Grade Comparisons

Chart)

Cetane Number (calculated)

The cetane number of distillate fuels as

estimated from the API gravity and mid-boiling

point by using a formula given in Appendix II of

ASTM Method D 975. This estimate is used if

a standard test engine is not available, or if the

sample is too small for an engine test.

Cetane Number (test method)

The percentage by volume of normal cetane, in

a blend with heptamethylnonae (HMN), which

matches the ignition quality of the fuel when

compared by the procedure specified in ASTM

Method D 613.

Cetane Number Improver

A substance which, when added to a diesel fuel,

has the effect of increasing its cetane number.

In this class are nitro alkanes, nitrates, nitro

carbonates and peroxides.

Cetane Index

An approximation of cetane number based on

API gravity and mid-boiling point of fuel.

CFR

Coordinating Fuel and Equipment Research

Committee, composed of engine-manufacturers,

petroleum-refiners, petroleum-consumers,

universities, government and other technical

people who supervise cooperative testing and

study engine fuels for the Coordinating Research

Council, Inc.

Channeling

1. The phenomenon observed among gear

lubricants and greases when they thicken, due

to cold weather or other causes, to such an

extent that a groove is formed through which

the part to be lubricated moves without actually

coming in full contact with the lubricant.

2. A term used in percolation filtration; may be

defined as a preponderance of flow through

certain portions of the clay bed.

Chromatography

A method of separation based on selective

absorption. A solution of the substance is

allowed to flow slowly through a column of

absorbent. Different substances will pass with

different speeds down the column and will

eventually be separated into zones. The column

core can then be pushed out and the zones of

material cut apart, or the zones can be eluted

by passing more solvent down the column and

collecting it in small fractions.

Partition Chromatography involves the

selective solution of the desired material

between two solvents. The final solvent,

usually water, is used to wet the solid material

packed in the column, and the first solvent

containing the desired material is poured into

the column as described.

Paper Chromatography is a micromethod.

A drop of the liquid to be investigated is placed

near one end of a strip of paper. This end is

immersed in solvent which travels down the

paper and distributes the materials present

in the original drop selectively. Comparison

with known substances makes identification

possible.

Gas Chromatography is an analytical

technique for separating mixtures of volatile

substances. The procedure consists of

introducing the mixture to be examined into the

chromatographic column and washing it down

(eluting it) with an inert gas. The column is

packed with adsorbent materials which

selectively retard the components of the sample.

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D

DAP

Detroit Advisory Panel

Degree Day

A unit of temperature. Experience has shown

that, for buildings requiring an inside

temperature of approximately 70°F, the amount

of fuel or heat used per day is proportional to

the number of degrees the average outside

temperature falls below 65°F. The degree-day

is based upon this principle. The number of

degree-day (65°F base) for a given period is

the difference between 65°F and the United

States Weather Bureau daily mean

temperature, when the latter is less than 65°F,

multiplied by the number of days.

Degree Engler

A measure of viscosity. The ration of the time

of flow of 200 ml of the liquid tested, through

the viscometer devised by Engler, to the time

required for the flow of the same volume of water

gives the number of degrees Engler.

Density

The mass of a unit of volume of a substance.

DEO

Diesel Engine Oil

Detergent Oil

A lubricating oil possessing special sludgedispersing

properties usually conferred on the

oil by the incorporation of special additives.

Detergent oils hold sludge particles in

suspension and thus promote cleanliness

especially in internal-combustion engines.

Dielectric Strength

A measure of the insulating properties of

electrical insulating oils for use in cables,

transformers, circuit breakers and similar

apparatus (ASTM Method D 877).

Diesel Index

An expression for the ignitability of a fuel relative

to its aniline point:

Diesel index = aniline pint (°F) X API gravity

100

Diester Oil

A synthetic lubricating fluid made from esters;

also called ester oil.

DIN

Deutsche Industrie Norm

Dispersant

A dispersing agent, which holds a very finely

divided substance in a dispersed state in the

carrier fluid.

Distillate

Wide range of products produced by distillation.

DKA

Deutscher Koordinierungsausschuss

Dropping Point

In general, the dropping point is the temperature

at which the grease passes from a semisolid to

a liquid state. This change in state is typical of

greases containing conventional soap

thickeners. Greases containing thickeners other

than conventional soaps may, without change

in state, separate oil.

Dry-film Lubricant

Solid material left between two moving surfaces

to prevent metal-to-metal contact, thus reducing

friction and wear. Such materials are especially

useful in the region of boundary lubrication, and

for lubrication under special conditions of

extremely high or low temperature where usual

lubricants are inadequate. They may be applied

in the form of a paste or solid stick, or by

spraying, dipping or brushing in an air-drying

carrier which evaporates leaving a dry film.

Some examples are graphite, molybdenum

disulfide, boron nitride and certain plastics such

as tetrafluorethylene resins.

Dual-fuel Engine

A diesel engine which may be operated as an

oil diesel, a gas diesel, or a combination of both,

as it is equipped with controls or parts to permit

operating as one or the other

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E



EC & EC II

Energy Conserving and Energy Conserving II

EFTC

Engine Fuels Technical Committee

Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication

Lubrication modified to take into consideration

the elastic properties of the bearing material and

the viscosity increase of the lubricant under

concentrated load.

ELTC

Engine Lubricants Technical Committee

EMA

Engine Manufacturers Association

Emulsifier

A substance used to promote or aid the

emulsification of two liquids and to enhance the

stability of the emulsion.

EOLCS

Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

EP Agent

An extreme pressure additive introduced into a

lubricant to improve the load-carrying or antiweld

qualities.

EP Lubricant

Any of the lubricating oils or greases which

contain an extreme pressure additive

specifically introduced to prevent metal-to-metal

contact in the operation of highly loaded gears.

In some cases, this is accomplished by the

additive reacting with the metal to form a

protective film.

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F

Fat

An animal or vegetable oil which will combine

with an alkali to saponify and form a soap.

FFV

Flexible-Fuel Vehicle

Fiber Grease

A grease with a distinctly fibrous structure, which

is noticeable when portions of the grease are

pulled apart.

Filler (lubricants)

Any substance, such as talc, mica or various

powders, which may be added to a grease to

make it heavier in weight or consistency, but

which serves no useful function in making the

grease a better lubricant. (Editor’s note: Such

filler may also be added to certain lubricating

oils or other lubricants).

Film Strength

The property of an oil which enables it to

maintain an unbroken film on lubricated

surfaces under operating conditions, where

otherwise there would be scuffing or scoring of

the surfaces.

Fire Point

The lowest temperature at which, under

specified conditions in standardized apparatus,

a petroleum product vaporizes sufficiently

rapidly to form above its surface an air-vapor

mixture which burns continuously when ignited

by a small flame.

Fire Point Test (COC)

(see Cleveland open-cup tester)

Flash Point

The lowest temperature at which vapors arising

from the oil will ignite momentarily (i.e., flash)

when exposed to a flame.

Flash Point Test (COC)

(see Cleveland open-cup tester)

Flash Point Test

(Pensky-Martens closed tester)

A method of test for the determination of the

flash point of liquid fuels flashing below 175°F,

with the exception of fuel oils.

Flash Point (Tag closed-cup tester)

A method of test for the determination of the

flash point of liquid fuels flashing below 175°F,

with the exception of fuel oils.

Floc Point

The temperature at which wax or solids

separate in an oil.

Foam

An agglomeration of gas bubbles separated

from each other by a thin liquid film which is

observed as a persistent phenomenon on the

surface of a liquid.

Four-Ball Tester

This name is frequently used to describe either

of two similar laboratory machines, the Four-

Ball Wear Tester and the Four-Ball EP Tester.

These machines are used to evaluate a

lubricant’s anti-wear qualities, frictional

characteristics or load carrying capabilities. It

derives its name from the four ½ inch steel balls

used as test specimens. Three of the balls are

held together in a cup filled with lubricant while

the fourth ball is rotated against them.

Fretting Corrosion

A special case of fretting in which one or more

of the surfaces, or the wear particles therefrom,

react with their environment. Mechanical wear

initiates fretting, then chemical action or

“corrosion” results from the exposure of virgin

metal surface to the air.

Front-end Volatility

A term applied to the volatility of the lower boiling

fractions of gasoline.

Fuel Sensitivity

The response of a motor fuel to the change in

engine severity between the operating

conditions of the ASTM Research Method (D

908) and ASTM Motor Method (D 357);

numerically equal to the difference between the

Research and Motor octane numbers.

FZG Test

A German gear test for evaluating EP

properties.

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G

Gasohol

Fuel mixture of gasoline and methyl alcohol

(methanol).

GATT

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

Gravity (See API gravity)

Grease

A lubricant composed of a lubricating fluid,

thickened with soap or other material to a solid

or semisolid consistency.

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H

Heat Transfer Oil

A medium used for the transfer of heat.

Herschel Demulsibility Number

A number which indicates the ability of an oil to

separate from water under conditions specified

by the Herschel Demulsibility Test.

Humidity Cabinet Test

A test used to evaluate the rust-preventing

properties of metal preservatives under

conditions of high humidity (ASTM Method D

1748).

Hydrocarbon

A compound containing only hydrogen and

carbon. The simplest hydrocarbons are gases

at ordinary temperatures; but with increasing

molecular weight, they change to the liquid form

and, finally, to the solid state. They form the

principal constituents of petroleum.

Hydrodynamic (fluid film) Lubrication

An oil film which provides a pressure equal to

the load. This pressure enables the moving

parts to float on a layer of lubricant.

Hydrogenation

The chemical addition of hydrogen to a material.

In non-destructive hydrogenation, hydrogen is

added to a molecule only if, and where,

unsaturation with respect to hydrogen exists.

In destructive hydrogenation, the operation is

carried out under conditions which result in

rupture of some of the hydrocarbon chains

(-----ing); hydrogen is added where the chain

breaks have occurred.

Hypoid Gears

Gears in which the pinion axis intersects the

plane of the ring gear at a point below the ringgear

axle and above the outer edge of the ring

gear, or above the ring-gear axle and below the

outer edge of the ring gear.

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K

Kinematic Viscosity

The ratio of the absolute viscosity to the density

at the temperature of the viscosity

measurement. The metric units of kinematic

viscosity are the stoke and centistoke, which

correspond to the poise and centipoise of

absolute viscosity.


I

ILMA

Independent Lubricant Manufacturers

Association

ILSAC

International Lubricants Standardization &

Approval Committee

Inhibitor

A substance in a petroleum product which

prevents or retards undesirable chemical

changes from taking place in the product, or in

the condition of the equipment in which the

product is used. Commonly used inhibitors are

used to prevent or retard oxidation or corrosion.

Initial Boiling Point

According to ASTM Method D 86, the recorded

temperature when the first drop of liquid falls

from the end of the condenser.

Ink Oil

Any of the petroleum oils used as carriers for

the pigment used in making printing inks.

Insulating Oil

An oil used in circuit breakers, switches,

transformers and other electrical apparatus for

insulating, and/or cooling. In general, such oils

are well-refined petroleum distillates of low

volatility, with resistance to oxidation and

sludging.

IP

Institute of Petroleum

ISO

International Standards Organization

This organization which is worldwide in scope

sets standards and classifications for lubricants.

An example is the ISO viscosity grade system

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M

Mean Hertz Load

(See load wear index (LWI)

Metal Deactivator

A fuel or lubricant additive, which converts into

an inactive form, the traces of metal (such as

copper in fuels) and metal surfaces (such as

copper in fuel lines) which, in the absence of

the deactivator would catalyze gum formation

and other oxidation.

Mid-Continental Crude

Petroleum oil obtained from the central regions

of the United States (principally Oklahoma,

Kansas, and North Texas), usually having

characteristics between those of Pennsylvania

and coastal oils.

Middle Distillate

One of the distillates obtained between

kerosene and lubricating oil fractions in the

refining processes. These include light fuel oils

and diesel fuel.

MIL Spec

Military specification; a guide in determining the

quality requirements of products used by the

military services, published by the United States

Department of Defense.

Motor Method - Motor Octane

Number (MON)

A test for determining the knock rating, in terms

of ASTM Motor Octane Numbers, of fuels for

use in spark-ignition engines. The knocking

tendency of the fuel is compared with those for

blends of reference fuels of known octane

number when run in the ASTM-CFR engine at

900 rpm, under standard operating conditions

as prescribed in ASTM Method D 357.

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet

MTAC

Multiple Test Acceptance Criteria

Multigrade Oil

One of the multiviscosity number oils in which

one oil combines three SAE viscosity number

grades. For example, multigrade SAE 10W-40

grade may be used where SAE 10W, SAE 20W,

SAE 20, SAE 30, or SAE 40 grades are

specified. They have been made possible by

improved refining processes and the use of

polymer additives.

Multipurpose Grease

A lubricating grease suitable to meet the

individual requirements for chassis lubricant,

bearing lubricant, joint lubricant, water-pump

lubricant and cup grease.

MVMA

Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association

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N

NAFTA

North America Free Trade Agreement

Naphthene

One of a group of cycle hydrocarbons, also

termed cycloparaffins or cycloalkanes.

Polycyclic members are also found in the higher

boiling fractions. The general formula for

naphthenes is CnH2n.

Neutralization Number

The weight, in milligrams, of potassium

hydroxide needed to neutralize the acid in 1g

of oil. The neutralization number of an oil is an

indication of its acidity.

Neutral Oil

Light overhead cuts of lubricant stocks. Neutral

oils are the basis for most commonly used

automotive lubricants.

NLGI Number

One of a series of numbers classifying the

consistency range of lubricating greases, based

on the ASTM cone penetration number. The

National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI)

grades are in order of increasing consistency

(hardness).

NMMA

National Marine Manufacturers Association

NVMA

National Vehicle Manufacturers Association

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O

Octane Number

A term numerically indicating the relative

antiknock value of a gasoline. For octane

numbers 100 or below, it is based upon a

comparison with the reference fuels isooctane

(100 octane number) and n-heptane (0 octane

number). The octane number of an unknown

fuel is the percent by volume of isooctane with

n-heptane which matches the unknown fuel in

knocking tendencies under a specified set of

conditions. Above 100, the octane number of a

fuel is based on the engine rating, in terms of

milliliters of tetraethyllead in isooctane which

matches that of the unknown fuel.

OECD

Organization Economic Cooperation and

Development

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer

Oil Groove

One of the shallow grooves cut into the rubbing

faces of a bearing shell to improve the

distribution of oil over the shaft and bearings.

The grooves are connected with an oil supply

hole or cup and act like ducts in conveying the

oil to the various parts of the bearings.

Oil Ring

1. A loose ring, the inner surface of which rides

a shaft or journal causing the ring to rotate. The

ring dips into the reservoir of lubricant, from

which it carries the lubricant to the top of the

shaft for distribution to a bearing. 2. This is the

ring on an internal-combustion engine piston

controls the lubrication of the piston and cylinder

walls, as contrasted to the compression ring.

Oiliness

1. That characteristic of a liquid which is

responsible for the degree of friction between

two surfaces which cannot be accounted for on

the basis of viscosity alone. 2 The ability of a

lubricating oil to orient itself on bearing surfaces

so as to form new surfaces with a low coefficient

of static friction.

OLAP

Oil Labeling Assessment Program

ORI

Octane Requirement Increase