I

G P A PUBL*1167 8 3 W 3824699 O000018 T W

w I

GPA Publication 1167-83

GPA
Glossary
Definition of Words and Terms
Used in the
Gas Processing Industry
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Adopted as Tentative Standard, 1967

Reprinted 1972
Revised and Adopted as a Standard, 1977
Revised, 1983

Gas Processors Association

1812 First Place
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103

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GPA

GIossa ry

Definition of Words and Terms

Used in the

Gas Processing Industry

Preface
The GAS PROCESSING INDUSTRY employs various words and phrases to
describe and define its activities. These transactions are concerned with gas
from the time it is separated from the effluent of an oil or gas well, a petroleum
refining process, or a synthetic gas plant until the salable gaseous residue is
delivered to a pipeline system. These activities include the movement of the gas
and the separation of liquid and gaseous components from each other. The
separated components may be useful products or contaminants that must be
removed to make the residue gas salable. Sulfur can be made if the produced gas
contains hydrogen sulfide.
The GASPRDCESSING INDUSTRY is a segment of the 1s)rgerEnergy Industry.
While many words and phrases are in common use throughout the industry,
shades of meaning may differ in various sections of the Petroleum Industry. The
definitions herein represent common usage in the GASPROCESSING INDUSTRY
and were developed principally by Technical Committee, Section C. In a lesser
number of cases, a source of definitions was the “Glossary of Terms Used in
Petroleum Refining’’ published by the API. It is hoped that the definitions will
be a source of information for those seeking knowledge of the terminology of the
GASPROCESSING INDUSTRY.
The definitions as presented herein cannot take precedence over definitions
in contracts or other legal documents. While the GPA is publishing the
Glossary, the GPA can take no responsibility for its use. The user of these
definitions is responsible for the results of such use.

NOTE: If words in common usage have not been defined, please

advise GPA of such omission so that definitions can be included in
future editions of this publication.
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Definitions of Words and Terms Used in the

Gas Processing Industry

absorbent acid gas

Refer to definition of “absorption oil.” The hydrogen sulfide and/or carbon dioxide contained in or
extracted from gas or other streams.
absorber
adiabatic expansion
A tower or column that provides contact between natural gas
being processed and absorption oil. The expansion of a gas, vapor, or liquid stream from a higher
pressure to a lower pressure in which the enthalpy of the
absorber capacity stream does not change.

The maximum standard cubic feet per day of natural gas that adsorbent
can be processed through an absorber at specified absorption
oil rate, temperature, and pressure without exceeding pres- A solid substance used to remove components from natural
sure drop or other operating limitations. gas being processed.

absorption
The transfer of constituents from natural gas to absorption
oil.
absorption factor
A factor used in engineering calculations which expresses the
propensity for a constituent in natural gas to be absorbed in
absorption oil. This factor is generally found in the literature
as A=WKV where L and V are the mols of liquid and.vapor
respectively from a tray, or an average value for the section or
total absorber. K is similarly the vapor-liquid equilibrium
ratio for the particular component.
absorption oil
A hydrocarbon liquid used to absorb and recover components
from the natural gas being processed.
absorption plant
A plant that processes natural gas with absorption oil.
absorption-refrigeration cycle
A mechanical refrigeration system in which the refrigerant is
absorbed by a suitable liquid or solid. The most common
system uses ammonia as the refrigerant and water as the
absorbing medium. Refer to definition of “compression
refrigeration cycle.”
absorption tower
Refer to definition of absorber.
accumulator
A vessel used to facilitate the control of the flow of liquid or
the separation of liquid from accompanying gas or vapor as
the liquid flows through the plant for further processing.
adsorption
Removal of certain components from a gas stream-including,
but not limited to, one or more of the following: acid gases,
water vapor, or heavier hydrocarbon vapors. These com-
ponents are adsorbed on a bed of granular solids due to their
molecular attraction to the adsorbent surface.
adsorption plant
A plant that processes natural gas witfi an adsorbent.
AGA (American Gas Association)
A national trade association of the petroleum industry whose
members are U.S. and Canadian distributors of natural,
manufactured, and mixed gases. AGA provides information on
sales, finances, utilization, and all phases of gas transmission
and distribution.
air-cooled exchanger (air-fin unit or aerial cooler)
An atmospheric fin tube exchanger which utilizes air for
cooling. Ambient air contacts the external fins by fan-forced
or natural draft.
allowable
The maximum rate of production from an oil or gas well or
group of wells that is allowed by a particular state or
governing body. The rate is set by rules which vary among the
various states or governing bodies.
amine
Any of several compounds such as, but not limited to,
monoethanolamine, HOC2H4NH2, (MEA), employed in treat-
ing natural gas. The amines are generally used in water
solutions to remove hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from
gas and liquid streams.

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API (American Petroleum Institute)
A national trade association of the petroleum industry which
is a standardizing organization for the drilling, producing,
refining, transportation, and marketing segments of the
industry.
ash
Non-combustible residue from the gasification or burning of
coal or a heavy hydrocarbon.
associated g a s
Natural gas, commonly known as gas-cap gas, which overlies
and is in contact with crude oil in the reservoir. Where
reservoir conditions are such that the production of as-
sociated gas does not substantially affect the recovery of
crude oil in the reservoir, such gas-may be reclassified as non-
associated gas by a regulatory agency.
ASTM (American Society for Testing a n d Materials)
A national organization which promotes knowledge of the
materials of engineering and the standardization of specifi-
cations and methods of testing.
ASTM distillation
Any distillation made in accordance with an ASTM pro-
cedure. Generally it refers to a distillation test to determine
the initial boiling point, the temperature a t which percentage
fractionations of the sample are distilled, the final boiling
point, and quantity of residue. (See ASTM method D-86.)
atmospheric pressure
The pressure exerted on the earth by the earth’s atmosphere.
A pressure of 760 mm of mercury, 29.92 inches of mercury, or
14.696 psia is used as a standard for some measurements. The
various state regulatory bodies have set other standards for
use in measuring the legal volume of natural gas that is sold or
processed. Atmospheric pressure may also refer to the
absolute ambient pressure a t any given location.
automated plant
A plant which contains instruments for the measurement and
control of temperatures, pressures, flow rates, and properties
of resulting products and thereby makes necessary cor-
rections in the plant operating conditions so as to maintain
specification products. Such a plant would contain shutdown
and other automatic devices to minimize damage in the
absence of operating personnel.
back pressure
The pressure held on a piece of equipment or a system through
which a fluid (gas and/or liquid) is flowing.
barrel
A unit of liquid volume measurement which in the petroleum
industry equals 42 U.S. liquid gallons for petroleum or natural
gas products measured at 60°F and equilibrium vapor pres-
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sure. Chemicals may be packaged in barrels or drums having
capacities of 55 U.S. liquid gallons.
bath
Liquid placed in a container that is held at a controlled
temperature to regulate the temperature of any system placed
in it or passing through it.
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bcf (billion cubic feet)
An abbreviation of “billion cubic feet.” In the United States, a
billion is a thousand million, or 109.
blanket g a s
A gas phase in a vessel above a liquid phase. The purpose may
be for protecting the liquid from air contamination, for
reducing the hazard of detonation, or for pressuring the
liquid. The source of the gas is external to the vessel.
bleed
To remove or drain liquid, gas, or other contents a t a slow rate
from a vessel or pipeline.
blow case
A small tank in which liquids are accumulated and drained by
applying gas or air pressure above the liquid level. Such a
vessel is usually located below a pipeline or other equipment
at a location where an outside power source is not convenient
for removing the drained liquids. Sometimes referred to as a
drip.
blowdown
The act of emptying or depressuring a vessel. This may also
refer to the discarded material such as blowdown water from a
boiler or cooling tower.
boilaway test
Sometimes used to describe the GPA weathering test for LP-
gas. Refer to definition for “weathering test.”
boiling point
The temperature a t which any liquid boils under a given
pressure level. In the distillation of petroleum products, the
initial boiling point is the observed temperature a t the instant
the first drop of condensate falls from the end of the condenser
tube.
bottled g a s
Liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas)which has been placed in a
generally small portable container for sale to the consumers.
bottom hole pressure
The pressure measured in a well at a depth which is a t the mid-
point of the thickness of the producing zone.
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 GPA P U B L * I I b 7 8 3
bottom hole temperature
’
The temperature measured in a well a t a depth which is a t the
mid-point of the thickness of the producing zone.
bottoms
The liquid or residual matter which is withdrawn from the
bottom of a fractionator or other vessel during processing or
while in storage; also, the heaviest product remaining in the
liquid phase after distillation.
Boyle’s Law
Part of the ideal gas laws dealing with pressure. Boyle’s Law
states that for any ideal gas or mixture of ideal gases at any
definite temperature, the product of the absolute pressure
times the volume is a constant, i.e., PV=K.
B-P mix
A liquefied hydrocarbon product composed chiefly of butanes
and propane. If it originates from a refinery, it may also
contain butylenes and propylene. More specifically, it con-
forms to the GPA specifications for commercial B-P mixes as
defined in GPA Publication 2140.
breathing
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The movement of vapor in or out of a storage tank because of
the change of level of the stored liquid, a change in the
temperature of the vapor space above the liquid, or of
atmospheric pressure.
bs&w
Bottom sediment and water which collects in the bottom of
storage tanks. It is also called tank bottoms.
Btu (British thermal unit)
A measure of the heating value of a fuel. One Btu is equal to
the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one
pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at 62OF.
bubble cap
An inverted cup or pan-like device with a notched or slotted
periphery set over a chimney-like connection on a fractiona-
tion tower tray. It is designed to give intimate contact
between the down-flowingliquid and the up-flowing vapors.
bubble point
The temperature at a given pressure a t the instant the liquid is
in equilibrium with the vapor phase in the containing vessel.
bulk plant
A wholesale distributing point for products made from
natural gas and petroleum.
butane
A normally gaseous paraffin compound having the chemical
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formula C4Hio.
butane, commercial
A liquefied hydrocarbon consisting of predominately butane
and/or butylenes and which conforms to the GPA specification
for commercial butane defined in GPA Publication 2140.
butane, field grade
A product consisting predominately of normal butane and
isobutane which is produced at a gas processing plant. Also
called “mixed butane.”
butane, normal
In commercial transactions, a product meeting the GPA
specification for commercial butane and, in addition, contain-
ing a minimum of 95 liquid volume percent normal butane.
Chemically, normal butane is an aliphatic compound of the
paraffin series having the chemical formula C4H1oand having
all its carbon atoms joined in a straight chain.
butylene
Hydrocarbon members of the olefin series compounds having
the chemical formula C4Hs.Official nomenclature is “butene.”
bypass valve
A valve which permits flow around a control valve, a piece of
equipment, or a system.
calorimeter
An apparatus which is used to determine empirically the
heating value of a combustible material.
carbon black
Extremely h e particles of almost pure amorphous carbon
usually produced from gaseous or Liquid hydrocarbons.
carbon dioxide
A heavy, colorless gas having the formula COZ. When in its
solid state, it is commonly called “dry ice.”
carbonyl suìfide
A chemical compound of the aldehyde groups containing a
carbonyl group and sulfur (COS). It is a contaminant in gas
liquids, usually removed to meet sulfur specifications.
carryover
Refer to definition of “entrained liquid.”
casinghead gas
The natural gas that is produced from oil wells along with
crude oil. Also, it is an obsolete term for oil-well gas.
casinghead gas contract
This is a form of contract used by industry for the purchase
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 G P A PUBL*LLb7 8 3
and sale of casinghead gas and includes such modifications as
are necessary and agreed to between the buyer and seller.
casinghead gasoline
Obsolete term for natural gasoline.
catalyst
A substance which promotes or alters chemical reactions
without itself undergoing a permanent chemical change.
caustic treater
Normally, a vessel holding sodium ‘hydroxide or other alkalis
through which the solution flows for removal of sulfides,
mercaptans, or acids.
central facility
Installation having two or more leases, providing one or more
of such functions as separation, compression, dehydration,
treating, gathering or delivery of gasloil.
CFR
(CoordinatingFuels & Equipment Research Committee)
A committee composed of engine manufacturing, petroleum
refining, petroleum consuming, university, government, and
other technical men who supervise cooperative testing and
study of engine fuels for the CRC.
channeling
A term used to describe non-uniform excessive flow through a
portion of a packed bed or tower.
charcoal test
A test standardized by the American Gas Association and the
Gas Processors Association for determining the natural
gasoline content of a given natural gas. The gasoline is
adsorbed from the gas on activated charcoal and then
recovered by distillation. The test is described in Testing Code
10143,a joint AGA and GPA publication.
Charles’ Law
A part of ideal gas laws which states that a t constant pressure
the volume of a given mass of an ideal gas changes directly 1/73
of its volume at- OOCelsius for each degree change in
temperature.
chiller
A heat exchanger which cools process fluids with a re-
frigerant.
chromatograph
An analytical instrument which separates mixtures of
substances into identifiable components by means of
chromatography.
chromatography
A method of separation based on selective sorption in which
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the individual components are sorbed in separate zones on the
sorbent column. The components are subsequently released to
be measured and identified.
Claus Process
A process to convert hydrogen sulfide into elemental sulfur by
selective oxidation.
color test
A visual test made against fixed standards to determine the
color of a petroleum or other product.
combustion
The process of burning. Chemically, it is a process of rapid
oxidation caused by the union of oxygen from the air with the
material that is being oxidized or burned.
commercial butane
See definition of “butane, commercial.”
commercial propane
See definition of “propane, commercial.”
compressibility factor
(also called supercompressibilityfactor)
A factor usually expressed as “z” which gives the ratio of the
actual volume of gas at a given temperature and pressure to
the volume of gas when calculated by the ideal gas law
without any consideration of the compressibility factor.
compression
The act of decreasing the volume and increasing the pressure
of gas by mechanical means.
compression ratio
The ratio of the absolute discharge pressure from a compres-
sor to the absolute intake pressure.
compression-refrigerationcycle
The refrigeration cycle in which refrigeration is supplied by
the evaporation of a liquid refrigerant such as propane,
ammonia, etc. Refer to absorption-refrigeration cycle.
compression tests
An AGA-GPA test for determining the natural gasoline
product content of natural gas. Refer to AGA-GPA Testing
Code 101-43.
compressor, centrifugal
A machine which compresses by the high velocity rotation of
bladed wheels.
compressor clearance
The ratio of the volume remaining in a compressor cylinder at
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GPA PUBL*llb7 83
the end of a compression stroke to the volume displaced by one
stroke of the piston. This ratio is usually expressed in percent.
compressor,jet
A device employing a Venturi nozzle such that a high pressure
stream flowing through the nozzle creates a lower pressure or
a vacuum into which the gas to be compressed flows. The gas is
discharged from the nozzle with the expanded high pressure
medium.
compressor, reciprocating
A compressor consisting of one or more single acting or
double acting cylinders. Each cylinder contains a piston
which travels in a reciprocating motion, taking gas through
intake valves and delivering the gas through discharge
valves.
compressor station
A facility consisting of one or more compressors with the
necessary auxiliaries for delivering compressed gas.
condensate
The liquid formed by the condensation of a vapor or gas;
specifically, the hydrocarbon liquid separated from natural
gas because of changes in temperature and pressure when the
gas from the reservoir was delivered to the surface separators.
Such condensate remains liquid a t atmospheric temperature
and pressure. It may also be water condensed and returned to
boilers in a steam system.
condensate gas reservoir
A hydrocarbon reservoir with natural gas which will yield
condensate.
condensate plant
An obsolete term for a gas processing plant designed for the
recovery of condensate and other products from the gas
produced from a gas condensate reservoir.
condensate well
A gas well producing from a condensate gas reservoir.
condenser
A heat exchanger for cooling and condensing vapors.
connate water
Water which settled with the deposition of solid sediments and
which has not existed as surface water at atmospheric
pressure. Also, water in a particular formation which fills a
portion of the pore space.
control valve
A valve designed to regulate the flow or pressure of a fluid.
convergence pressure
The pressure at a given temperature for a hydrocarbon system
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of fixed composition a t which the vapor-liquid equilibria
values of the various components in the system become or
tend to become unity. The convergence pressure is used to
adjust vapor-liquid equilibria values to the particular system
under consideration.
cooler
A heat exchanger which reduces the temperature of a fluid by
transferring the heat to a non-process medium.
cooling tower
A structure to cool, by contact with air, a stream of circu-
lating water. The air flow can be induced by natural draft or by
fans.
copper strip test
A test using a small strip of pure copper to determine
qualitatively the corrosivity of a product. Refer to GPA LP-
gas corrosion test (see copper strip method)-ASTM D-1838-
64 test procedure.
corrosion coupon
A metal strip inserted into a system to monitor corrosion rate
and to indicate corrosion-inhibitor effectiveness.
corrosion test
One of a number of tests to determine qualitatively or
quantitatively the corrosion inducing compounds in a
product.
corrosive product
A hydrocarbon product which contains corrosion inducing
compounds in excess of the specification -limits for a sweet
product.
CRC (Coordinating Research Council, Inc.)
A non-profit organization supported jointly by the American
Petroleum Institute and the Society of Automotive Engineers,
Inc. It administers work of the CFR and other committees that
correlate test work and other studies on fuels, lubricants,
engines, and engine equipment.
critical density
The density of a substance a t the critical temperature and
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pressure.
critical pressure
The pressure necessary to condense a vapor a t its critical
temperature.
critical temperature
The highest temperature a t which a fluid can exist as a liquid'.
Above this temperature, the fluid is a gas and cannot be
liquefied regardless of the pressure applied.
crude line
A pipeline designed to transport crude oil.
cryogenic plant
A gas processing plant which is capable of producing natural
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 G P A PUBL*KLLb7 8 3 3 8 2 q b î î 0000025 7 W

gas liquids products, including ethane, a t very low operating debutanizer

temperatures.
A unit of equipment for separating butane, with or without
lighter components, as debutanizer overhead, from a mixture
cushion gas of hydrocarbons and leaving a bottoms product which is
Refer to definition of “blanket gas.” essentially butane free.

deethanized product
cuts
A product from which essentially all ethane and lighter
Portions or fractions of hydrocarbons that have been sepa- compounds have been removed.
rated according to boiling point or gravity.
deethanizer
cycle condensate A unit of equipment for separating the ethane, with or without
lighter components, as deethanizer overhead, from a mixture
Condensate produced from cycle gas. of’hydrocarbons and leaving a bottoms product which is
essentially ethane free.
cycle gas . degradation product
Gas which is compressed and returned to the gas reservoir to
minimize the decline of reservoir pressure. An undesirable substance which is produced because of some
reaction such as cracking, dehydrogenation, or polymeri-
zation. The term implies the formation of a contaminant or
cycling low value product.
The process whereby effluent gas from a gas reservoir is
degree-day
passed through a gas processing plant or separation system
and the remaining residue gas returned to the reservoir. The A unit of temperature and time showing .the difference
word “recycling” has also been used for this function, but it is between a 65’F (18.3OC)base and a daily mean temperature
not the preferred term. when the latter is less than 65OF.This temperature difference
is the number of degree-days for a particular day.
cycling plant dehydration
A plant cycling residue gas back into the reservoir. The act or process of removing water from gases or liquids.

cylinder gas dehydration plant

A plant which contains equipment and apparatus designed to
Liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas), oxygen, acetylene, or any
effect dehydration.
other gas which is compressed and confined in a pressure
cylinder. dehydrator
Equipment or apparatus for effecting dehydration.
damper
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deisobutanizer
A valve, or plate, used to regulate the flow of air or other
gases. A unit of equipment for separating the isobutane component
and lighter from the normal butane and heavier components.
day’s storage See definition of “splitter”.
A volume of product storage capacity which is equal to the delivery point
plant production for one 24-hour day.
The contract location of delivery where ownership passes
from the seller to the buyer.
DEA (diethanolamine)
Refer to the definition of “amine.” demethanized product
A product from which essentially all methane and lighter
DEA unit materials have been removed.
A treating system using DEA for reduction of hydrogen demethanizer
sulfide, carbon dioxide, carbonyl sulfide, and other acid gases
from sour process streams. A unit of equipment for separating methane and more volatile
components, as demethanizer overhead, from a mixture of
hydrocarbons and leaving a bottoms product which is
deaerator essentially methane free.
An item of equipment used for removing air or other non- depropanizer
condensible gases from a process stream or steam condensate
and boiler feed water. A unit of equipment for separating propane, with or without

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lighter components, as depropanizer overhead, from a mixture
of hydrocarbons and leaving a bottoms product which is
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essentially propane free.
desiccant
A substance used in a dehydrator to remove water and
moisture. Also, a solid material used to remove moisture from
the air.
desulfurization
The process by which sulfur and sulfur compounds are
removed from gases or liquid hydrocarbon mixtures.
detonation
The act or process of exploding with sudden violence. The
term may be applied to the knock-producing type of com-
bustion in spark-ignition internal-combustion engines.
dew point
The temperature a t any given pressure at which liquid
initially condenses from a gas or vapor. It is specifically
applied to the temperature a t which water vapor starts to
condense from a gas mixture (water dew point), or at which
hydrocarbons start to condense (hydrocarbon dew point).
dewater
The removal of bulk water from process point of accumu-
lation.
differential pressure
The difference between any two pressures. Two examples are:
(1) difference in pressure between the upstream and down-
stream taps of an orifice plate from which the fluid volume
passing through the orifice is computed; (2) the pressure drop
across the trays of a distillation column.
dissolved g a s
Gas dissolved in liquid because of the pressure and tempera-
ture under which the resulting liquid phase is held.
distillate
The overhead product of distillation obtained by condensing
the vapors.
distillation
The process of separating a multiple component feed of
differing boiling points into two or more products. In
absorption plants, the term is used to describe the separation
of product components from absorption oil.
distillation test
Refer to definition of “ASTM distillation.”
distribution system
A system of pipelines and other equipment by which natural
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gas or other products are distributed to customers, to lease
operations, or other points of consumption.
disulfides
Chemical compounds containing an - S S - linkage. They are
colorless liquids completely miscible with hydrocarbons and
insoluble in water and sweet to the doctor test. Mercaptans
are converted to disulfides in treating processes employing
oxidation reactions.
doctor test
A qualitative method for detecting hydrogen sulfide and/or
mercaptans in petroleum distillates. The test distinguishes
between %our” and ‘‘sweet’’ products.
downcomer
A part of a distillation tray. It is the passageway for liquid
from a tray to the tray below.
drain system
The valves and piping connected to vessels and other
equipment for the purpose of emptying the vessel or removing
undesired liquids.
draw off
A connection for withdrawing liquids or vapors from a vessel.
dried gas
Refer to definition of “dry gas.”
drip
The equipment which is installed a t a low point in a gas
transmission line to collect and remove liquids that may form;
also the liquid which condenses from natural gas and
accumulates in a pipeline during transmission. Refer to
definition of “blow case.”
drip gasoline
Hydrocarbon liquid that separates in a pipeline transporting
gas from the well casing, lease separation, or other facilities
and drains into equipment from which the liquid can be
removed. Refer to definition of “drip.”
dry bed
The solid adsorption materials such as molecular sieves, char-
coal, or other materials used for purifying or for recovering
liquid from a gas. Refer to definition for “adsorption.”
.L
d r y gas
(i)Gas whose water content has been reduced by a dehy-
dration process. (2) Gas containing little or no hydrocarbons
commercially recoverable as liquid product. Gas in this
second definition preferably should be called lean gas.
ebullition
Boiling, as especially applied to a system to remove heat from
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 G P A PUBL*LLb7
engine jacket water, wherein the water is permitted to boil
and the evolved vapors are condensed in air-fin coolers.
emulsion
The dispersion of fine particles of an immiscible liquid and/or
solids with another liquid in which the particles are
suspended.
end point
The maximum temperature observed on the thermometer
during an ASTM distillation test.
engine oil
The lubricant for bearings and cylinders of all types of
engines.
Engler distillation
A standard test for determining volatility of a gasoline by
measuring the percentage of the gasoline that is distilled at
specified temperatures. This test is outlined in ASTM Method
D-86.
enthalpy
The heat content per unit mass of a materia1:In English units,
this is expressed as Btu per pound above some base tempera-
ture.
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entrained liquid
Liquid particles that may be carried out of the top of a
distillation or absorber column with the vapors or residue gas.
entrainment
Refer to definition of “entrained liquid.”
entropy
The internal energy of a substance that is attributed to the
internal motion,of the molecules. This energy is within the
molecules and cannot be utilized for external work.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
A federal agency for the supervision and control of the
environmental quality.
EP-mix (ethane-propanemix)
A product consisting of a mixture of essentially ethane and
propane.
equilibrium constants
Refer to definition of vapor-liquid equilibrium ratio.
ethane
A normally gaseous paraffin compound-(CzH6). The term is
used to describe a hydrocarbon stream consisting pre-
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83 3824699 0000027 O M
dominately of ethane.
ethylene
The chemical compound of the olefin series having the
formula CzH4. Official nomenclature is “ethene.’)
evaporation loss
The loss incurred by vaporization to the atmosphere or to
another system.
evaporator
A vessel used to convert a liquid into its vapor phase.
exchanger
Refer to definition of “heat exchanger.”
expansion refrigeration
The cooling obtained from the evaporation of the liquid
refrigerant or the expansion of a gas.
expansion turbine
A device which converts the energy of a gas or vapor stream
into mechanical work by expanding the gas or vapor through
a turbine.
extraction
The process of separating one material from another by means
of a solvent, This term can be applied to absorption, liquid-
liquid extraction, or any other process using a solvent.
fast cycle unit (quick or short cycle unit)
An adsorption plant which has adsorption cycles of relatively
short duration.
feed tank
A vessel containing a charge stock or a vessel from which a
stream is continuously fed for further processing.
field condensate
Refer to definition of “condensate.”
field processing unit
A unit through which a well stream passes before the gas
reaches a processing plant or sales point. Field processing‘
units may be separator systems, LTX units, adsorption units,
etc.
field separator
A vessel in the oil or gas field for separating the gas,
hydrocarbon liquid, and water from each other.
fifty-percentpoint (mid-boiling point)
The temperature ,at which 50% of a material has distilled
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 G P A P U B L * l L b 7 83 = 382Ybïï 0000028 2

during an ASTM distillation test. scribe separation of hydrocarbon components into individual
products.
final boiling point (FBP)
fractionationfacilities
Refer to definition of “end point.”
The equipment required for accomplishing the fractionation
fin-tube process.

A tube or pipe having an extended surface in the form of fins fractionator

used in heat exchangers or other heat transfer equipment.
The column required in the fractionation or distillation
fired heater process.

A furnace in which natural gas or other fuel is burned to heat freeze valve
the gas or liquid passing through the furnace tubes.
A specially constructed and calibrated valve designed and
used solely for determining the water content in the propane
flammable product. See ASTM D-2713.
Capable of being easily ignited.
freezing point
flare gas
The temperature at which a liquid becomes a solid.
Gas that is burned in a flare or pit.
full well stream
flash point
The total flow stream or effluent from a producing well
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The lowest temperature a t which vapors from an oil fraction containing all the constituents of the reservoir fluids.
will ignite.

flash tank gas

A vessel used for separating the liquid phase from the gaseous
phase formed from a rise in temperature and/or a reduction of
pressure on the flowing stream.
flooding
An overload condition of a process column or vessel which is
characterized by excessive buildup of liquids.
forced draft
Air blown into a furnace or other equipment by a fan or
blower.
A form of matter having no definite shape or volume unless
confined. When not confined, a gas continues to expand.
Technically, a gas will not condense when it is compressedand
cooled, because a gas can exist only above the critical
temperature for its particular composition. Below the critical
temperature, this form of matter is known as a vapor because
liquid can exist and condensation can occur. Sometimes the
terms “gas” and “vapor” are used interchangeably; however,
the term “vapor” should be used for those streams in which
condensation can occur which originate from, or are in
equilibrium with, a liquid phase.
gas blanket

formation gas Refer to definition of “blanket gas.”

Gas initially produced from an underground reservoir. gas cap

The natural gas zone located above an oil zone in a common
fouling factor reservoir.
A factor used in heat transfer calculations that represents the
resistance to the flow of heat caused by dirt, scale, or other gas-cap gas
contaminants in the flowing fluids. The gas produced from a gas cap. See “associated gas.”
fraction gas condensate
A portion of mixture of hydrocarbons usually defined by Refer to definition of “condensate.”
boiling range such as naphtha, gas oil, kerosene, etc.

fractionating column gas condensate reservoir

See definition of “fractionator.” Refer to definition of “condensate gas reservoir.”

fractionation gas constant

Refer to definition of “distillation.” Generally used to de- A constant number which mathematically is the product of

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 GPA PUBL*LLb7 83 3824b99 O000029 4

the total volume and the total pressure divided by the absolute When produced, the surface equipment may or may not
temperature for one mole of any ideal gas or mixture of ideal contain condensed liquid, depending on the temperature,
gases at any temperature. _PV - -R. pressure, and composition of the single reservoir phase.
T
gas turbine
gas drive An engine in which gas, under pressure or formed by
A manner of producing crude oil or other liquids from the combustion, is directed against a series of turbine blades. The
reservoir wherein the required energy is provided by gas energy in the expanding gas is converted into rotary motion.
pressure.
gas well
gas hydrate A well which produces a t surface conditions the contents of a
Refer to definition of “hydrate.” gas reservoir. Legal definitions vary among the states.

gas injection gas-well gas

The injection of natural gas into a reservoir to maintain or The gas produced or separated at surface conditions from the
increase the reservoir pressure or reduce the rate of decline of full well stream produced from a gas reservoir.
the reservoir pressure.
gas-well liquids
gas lift The liquid separated at surface conditions from the full well
A method for bringing crude oil or water to the surface by stream produced from a gas reservoir.
injecting gas into the producing well bore.
gathering system
gas-oil ratio The network of pipelines which carry gas from the wells to the
The ratio of gas to liquid hydrocarbon produced from a well. processing plant or other separation equipment.
This may be expressed as standard cubic feet per barrel of
stock tank liquid. glycol
A group of compounds used to dehydrate gaseous or liquid
gasoline hydrocarbons or to inhibit the formation of hydrates.
A product which by its composition is suitable for use as a fuel Commonly used glycols are ethylene glycol (eg), diethylene
in internal combustion engines. glycol (deg), and triethylene glycol (teg).

gasoline plant gpm

A natural gas processing plant. This latter preferred term (i)gpm (gallons per minute): The term used to describe a
helps differentiate from a unit making gasoline within an oil pumping rate in gallons per minute for a liquid. (2) gpm-
refinery. Preferably Gal/MCF (gallons per thousand cubic feet): This
term refers to the content in natural gas of components
recoverable or which are recovered as liquid products. The
gas pipeline preferred form of the term prevents confusion with “gallons
A transmission system for natural gas or other gaseous per minute.”
material. The total system is comprised of required pipes and
gravitometer
compressors needed to maintain the flowing pressure of the
system. A device for measuring and recording the specific gravity of a
gas or liquid passing a point of measurement.
gas processing
gravity, API
The separation of constituents from natural gas for the
purpose of making salable products and also for treating the An arbitrary scale expressing the relative density of liquid
residue gas to meet required specifications. petroleum products. The measuring scale is calibrated in
degrees API, which is calculated by the following formula:
gas processing plant
A plant which processes natural gas for recovery of natural
A
Deg API = Sp. [
gr. 60°F/600F] -
131.5
gas liquids and sometimes other substances such as sulfur.
gravity Baumé
gas reservoir
An arbitrary scale expressing the relative density of liquid
A geological formation containing a single gaseous phase. products. For liquids lighter. than water, the gravity Baume

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 can be calculated from the following equation: high molecular weight absorption oil
Absorption oil having a molecular weight in excess of 180.
OBe= 140 -130
Such oil is ordinarily used in non-refrigerated absorption
Sp. Gr. plants having distillation systems employing stripping steam.

For liquids heavier than water, the formula is: holding time
OBe=145- 145 It is the nominal time during which the liquid remains in a
vessel and is equivalent to the volume of fluid in the vessel
Sp. Gr. divided by the rate a t which that fluid enters the vessel.

hot carbonate process

gravity, specific
A process for removing the bulk of acid gases from a gas
Refer to “specific gravity.”
stream by contacting the stream with a water solution of
potassium carbonate at a temperature in the range of 220°F to
heat exchanger 240°F (104°C-1160C).
A device for the transfer of heat from a stream that should be
cooled to another stream that should be heated. An exchanger hot oil
normally consists of one or more tubes within a confining Absorption or other oil used as a heating medium.
shell that is constructed so that one fluid flows through the
tubes and the other fluid flows in the shell outside of the tube. hydrate
Coolers, condensers, and heaters may be considered as other
types of heat exchangers. A solid material resulting from the combination of a
hydrocarbon with water under pressure.
heating value (heat of combustion)
hydrate off
The amount of heat developed by the complete combustion of a
unit quantity of a material. For natural gas, the heating value Stoppage of the flow of fluid by formation of hydrate crystals.
is usually expressed as the gross or higher heating value in
Btu per CU. ft. of gas at designated conditions and either on the hydrocarbon liquid products
dry or water saturated basis. The gross or higher heating The hydrocarbons recovered as separated components or a
value (normally referred to in the United States) is that single mixture in a gas processing plant.
measured in a calorimeter when the water produced during
the combustion process is condensed. The heat of condensa- hydrogen sulfide (H&)
tion of the water is included in the total measured heat. The
net or lower heating value (normally referred to in Europe) is A flammable, very poisonous and corrosive gas with a
that obtained when the water produced by a combustion markedly disagreeable odor, having the chemical structure
process is not condensed. This is the usual circumstance in H2S. It is a contaminant in gas and gas liquids. Refer to
equipment burning fuel gas. The net value is the maximum definition of “acid gas.”
portion of the heating value that can be utilized in usual
equipment. The difference between the gross and net heating immiscible
value is the heat that could be recovered if the water produced
is condensed. Description of a liquid that is incapable of mixing or attaining
homogeneiyy with another substance.
heat medium (heating medium)
incinerator
A material, whether flowing or static, used to transport heat
from a primary source such as combustion of fuel to another Apparatus or equipment which converts undesirable material
material. Heating oil, steam, and an eutectic salt mixture are to ashes and less objectionable flue gases.
examples of heating mediums.
indirect heater
heavy ends
Apparatus or equipment in which heat from a primary source,
The portion of a hydrocarbon mixture having the highest usually the combustion of fuel, is transferred to a fluid or solid
boiling point. Usually hexanes or heptanes and all heavier which acts as the heating medium.
hydrocarbons are the heavy ends in a natural gas stream.

hexanes plus (or heptanes plus) inerts

The portion of a hydrocarbon fluid mixture or the last Elements or compounds not acted upon chemically by the sur-
component of a hydrocarbon analysis which contains the rounding environment. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide are ex-
hexanes (or heptanes) and all hydrocarbons heavier than the amples of inert constituents of natural gases; they dilute the
hexanes (or heptanes). gas and do not burn and thus add no heating value.

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 G P A P U B L * I L b 7 83 m 3824679 000003L 2 m I

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inflammable knockout (liquid)

Refer to definition of Yammable.” Term is not preferred Any liquid condensed from a stream by a scrubber following
because it is easily confused with ‘ h o t flammable.’’ compression and cooling.

injection gas lead acetate test

Gas injected into the producing formation to maintain or A method for detecting the presence of hydrogen sulfide in a
increase the reservoir pressure or reduce the rate of decline of fluid by discoloration of paper which has been moistened with
the reservoir pressure. lead acetate solution.

injection well lean amine

The well through which the injection gas or other fluid flows Amine solution that has been stripped of absorbed acid gases
giving a solution suitable for recirculation to the contactor.
into the underground formation.

inlet gas lean gas

Gas entering a gas processing plant or unit.
iron sponge process
The method for removing small concentrations of hydrogen
sulfide from natural gas by passing the gas over a bed of wood
shavings which have been impregnated with a form of iron
oxide. The impregnated wood shavings are called “iron
sponge.” The hydrogen -sulfide- reacts with--theiron oxide,
forming iron sulfide and water. Regeneration, if desirable,
may be accomplished by exposing the depleted sponge bed to
the oxygen in the air.
(1) The residue gas remaining after recovery of natural gas
liquids in a gas processing plant. (2) Unprocessed gas
containing little or no recoverable natural gas liquids.
lean oil
Absorption oil purchased or made by the plant or oil from
which the absorbed constituents have been removed.
lift gas
Gas injected into a well to assist in raising liquid to the
surface. (See gas lift.)

isobutane light ends

In commercial transactions, a product meeting the GPA
specification for commercial butane and, in addition, contains The low-boiling, easily evaporated components .of a hydro-
a minimum of 95 liquid volume percent isobutane. Chemically, carbon liquid.
a hydrocarbon of the p a r a f i series with the formula C4H10
and having its carbon atoms branched. light hydrocarbons
The low molecular weight hydrocarbons such as methane,
jacket water ethane, propane, and butanes.
Water which fills, or is circulated through, a casing which
partially or wholly surrounds a vessel or machine element in liquefaction
order to remove, add, or distribute heat and, thereby, to The process whereby a substance in its gaseous or solid state
control the temperature within the vessel or element. is liquefied.

Joule-Thomson effect liquefiable hydrocarbons

The change in gas temperature which occurs when the gas is The components of inlet gas which may be recovered as liquid
expanded adiabatically from a higher pressure to a lower products.
pressure. The effect for most gases, except hydrogen and
helium, is a cooling of the gas.
liquid desiccant
jumbo tank cars A hygroscopic liquid, such as glycol, used to remove water
from other fluids.
Tank cars having capacities of 30,000 gallons (114m3)or more.
Another group of cars known as “small jumbo” have
capacities ranging from 18,000 to 22,000 gallons (6%33m3). liquid hydrocarbons
There are also various other sizes. “Standard” tank cars have Any hydrocarbon in the liquid phase.
a capacity of 10,000 to 11,000 gallons (3842m3).
LNG (liquefied n a t u r a l gas)
“K” value
The light hydrocarbon portion of natural gas, predominately
Refer to definition of “vapor-liquid equilibrium ratio.” methane, which has been liquefied.

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 G P A PUBL*I<LLb7 83
loader
The individual who handles the filling of tank cars or
transport trucks.
loading rack
A structural and piping installation alongside a railroad
track or roadway used for the purpose of filling railroad tank
cars or transport trucks.
loading spot
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A loading rack or one “spot” of a larger rack where only one
tank car or one transport truck can be filled.
looping
Additional line or lines to provide flow of fluids between two
points to decrease pressure drop between these points.
low molecular weight absorption oil
Absorption oil having a molecular weight generally below
155. Commonly used in refrigerated absorption plants having
dry distillation systems.
low temperature fractionation
The separation of a hydrocarbon fluid mixture into com-
ponents by fractionation wherein the reflux condenser is
operated a t temperatures requiring refrigeration. Refer to
definition of “Pod” or Podbielniak Analysis.
low temperature processing
Gas processing conducted below ambient temperatures.
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)
Refer to definition of “LP-gas.”
LP-gas (liquefied petroleum gas)
Predominately propane or butane separately or in mixtures
which are maintained in a liquid state under the pressure
within the confining vessel.
LRG (liquefied refinery gas)
Liquid propane or butane produced by a crude oil refinery. It
may differ from LP-gas in that propylene and butylene may be
present.
LTS ,unit (low temperature separation unit)
Refer to definition of “U’X unit.”
LTX unit (low temperature extraction unit)
A unit which uses the refrigerating effect of the adiabatic
expansion of gas for improved liquid recovery from streams
which are produced from high pressure gas-condensate
reservoirs.
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mainline plant
A plant which processes the gas which is being transported
through a cross-country transmission line. Also called
pipeline, on line, or straddle plant.
make-up gas
(i) Gas that is taken in succeeding years that has been paid for
previously under a “take or pay” clause in a gas purchase
contract. The contract will normally specify the number of
years after payment in which the purchaser can take delivery
of make-up gas without paying a second time. (2) Gas injected
into a reservoir to maintain a constant reservoir pressure and
thereby prevent retrograde condènsation. (3) In gas process-
ing, there is a reduction in gas volume due to plant loss (fuel
and shrinkage). Some agreements between gas transmission
companies and plant owners require plant losses to be made
up or to be paid for. The same may apply to Btu reduction as
well.
malodorant
Refer to definition of “odorant.”
marketable .gas
I
Gas, which meets the purchaser’s specifications. Synonym,
merchantable gas.
MCF (thousand cubic feet-28.32m3)
A standard unit for measuring or expressing the volume of a
thousand cubic feet of gas. The pressure and temperature
conditions for the standard measurement must be defined.
Refer to definition of “Standard Gas Measurement Law.”
MEA (monoethanolamine)
An amine used for treating gas. Refer to definition of “amine.”
MER
Has two general meanings-the first, which is the more
common: (i) “.Maximum efficient rate” is the highest rate at
which a well or reservoir may be produced without causing
physical waste in the reservoir. (2) “Most efficient rate” is the
highesi rate at which a reservoir can be produced without
either reservoir or surface physical waste. For example, a
reservoir may be produced at the “maximum efficient rate”
but at such a rate, gas production will be in excess of the
capacity of facilities in the field to handle the gas; so a lower or
“most efficient rate” is set up for the reservoir to avoid surface
waste of valuable hydrocarbons in the form of flared gas.
mercaptan
A compound sometimes found in gas and gas liquids which
must be reduced by removal or conversion to conform t o
specifications. Any of a series of compounds of the general
formula RSH, analogous to the alcohols and phenols, but
containing sulfur in place of oxygen.
methane
The first member of the’ aliphatic hydrocarbon series. Its
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 GPA PUBL*llb7 83 m 3 8 2 4 b î î 0000033 b m

chemical formula is CH4. Natural gas is composed pre- NGL (natural gas liquids)
dominately of methane.
Natural gas liquids are those hydrocarbons liquefied a t the
methanol (methyl alcohol) surface in field facilities or in gas processing plants. Natural
gas liquids includes propane, butanes, and natural gasoline.
The lightest alcohol, having the chemical formula CH30H. It
is also referred to as “wood alcohol.”
NLPGA (National LP-Gas Association)
mineral seal oil An association whose members are producers or marketers of
An obsolete term for the absorption oil used for gas processing butane-propane gas and manufacturers of equipment and
plants. appliances. The NLPGA develops standards, provides safety
programs, conducts market research and develops industry
miscible statistics, and provides government liaison on laws and
regulations.
Capable of being mixed; capable of mixing in any ratio
without separation of two phases.
odorant
miscible flood
A highly. odiferous fluid or gas, usually a light mercaptan,
A method of secondary recovery of fluids from a reservoir by added to a gas or LP-gas to impart to it a distinctive odor for
injection of fluids that are miscible with the reservoir fluids. safety precautions and facilitate detection of leaks.

mist extractor
Vessel internals, such as wire mesh, vanes, etc., which remove
free liquid from gas.
modular plant
A gas processing plant built primarily in off-site shops on fabri-
cated skids and shipped to the plant site upon completion.
Also referred to as a skid mounted plant, See definition of
“packaged unit”.
molecular sieves
Synthetic zeolites packaged in bead or pellet form for (i)use in
recovering contaminants or impurities from liquid and vapor
product streams by selective adsorption and for (2) use as a
catalyst.
naphtha
A mixture of hydrocarbons, mostly pentanes and heavier, with
a maximum final boiling point of about 4OOOF.
n a t u r a l gas
Gaseous forms of petroleum commonly called “natural gas”;
consists predominately of mixtures of hydrocarbon gases, the
more common of which is methane.
n a t u r a l gasoline
A mixture of hydrocarbons, mostly pentanes and heavier,
extracted from natural gas, which meets vapor pressure, end
point, and other specifications for natural gasoline as adopted
by the GPA.
offshore
That geographic area which lies seaward of the coastline. In
general, the term “coastline” means the line of ordinary low
water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact
with the open sea or the line marking the seaward limit of
inland waters.
oil-well gas
Gas that is produced from an oil well.
open flow potential
The theoretical maximum capacity of a gas well as determined
by a test conducted under limiting conditions. The method of
determining this potential will vary from state to state.
operating agreement
The contract between owners and an agent (who may be an
owner) who operates a plant, a system, or similar installation.
operating factor
The percentage of the time which a unit is performing its
function; e.g., if a unit runs 800 hours (on stream time), takes
100 hours for reconditioning and inspection, and 100 hours for
starting up and shutting down, the operating factor would be
80%. Refer to definition of ‘ktream day.”
optimum rate of flow

n a t u r a l gasoline plant That rate of flow of fluid from a well which will provide
maximum ultimate recovery of fluid from the reservoir.
One of the terms, now obsolete, used to denote a natural gas
processing plant. Refer to definition of “gas processing” and
“gas processing plant.” orifice meter

n a t u r a l gas processing p l a n t
A device for the volumetric measurement of fluid flow,
depending for its principle of operation on the pressure drop
Modern term for gas processing plant, natural gasoline plant, differential across an aperture of less diameter than the main
gasoline plant, etc. supply flow.

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 G P A PUBL*KLLb7 83
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
A federal agency responsible for regulations concerning
nccupational safety and health activities.
outage
The difference between the full interior volume of a storage
vessel or sample container and the volume of liquid therein.
Por gasoline and lighter products, the regulatory bodies set a
minimum limit for outage in order to provide space for
expansion of the liquid.
overhead
The vapor stream leaving the top of a column; more spe-
cifically, the top tray of a fractionator. The term may also
apply to the overhead product from a fractionation system.
packaged unit
A shop-assembled group of equipment and accessories which
is provided for a single purpose such as dehydration,
sweetening, refrigeration, compression, etc., and needs only
foundations, inlet and outlet piping, utility connections, and
liquid storage, if required, in the field to make an operating
unit.
packed column
A fractionation or absorption column filled with small objects
that are designed to have a relatively large surface per unit
volume (the packing), instead of bubble trays or other devices,
to give the required contact between the rising vapors and the
descending liquid.
paraffin (hydrocarbon type)
Hydrocarbons of the alkane series (methane-ethane-propane,
etc.) with the chemical formula CnH2n +2. In these compounds,
all carbon atoms are joined in an open chain and are fully
saturated.
peak day requirements
Maximum requirement of ‘gas for a 24-hour period. The
quantity may be considerably greater than the daily average
flow.
peak shaving
The use of fuels and equipment to generate or manufacture
gas to supplement the normal supply of pipeline gas during
periods of extremely high demand.
pentane-plus
A hydrocarbon mixture consisting mostly of normal pentane
(C5Hi2)and heavier components, extracted form natural gas.
perforated t r a y
A vapor-liquid contacting tray containing small orifices or
perforations through which the vapors flow.
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petroleum
A material occurring naturally in the earth composed
predominately of mixtures of chemical compounds of carbon
and hydrogen with or without other non-metallic elements
such as sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen. Petroleum may contain,
or be composed of, such compounds in the gaseous, liquid
and/or solid state, depending on the nature of these
compounds and the existent conditions of temperature and
pressure.
pigging
A procedure of forcing a solid object through a pipeline for
cleaning purposes.
pipeline g a s
Gas which meets a transmission company’s minimum
specifications.
pipeline plant
Refer to definition of “mainline” or “straddle” plant.
plant limiks
Arbitrary boundaries of a plant.
plant products
All hydrocarbons and other products (including sulfur and
other than residue gas) recovered in a gas processing plant.
plate
Another term for the various types of vapor-liquid contacting
devices. See definition of “tray.”
“Pod” (Podbielniak) analysis
An analytical procedure for hydrocarbon gases and liquids
whereby the various components are quantitatively separated
by low temperature distillation for identification and
measurement.
positive displacement meter (PD meter)
A meter for gas or liquids wherein the measured fluid is
broken into segments having a definite size for measurement.
processing agreement
The contract for processing gas in a plant between the plant
owners and gas owners who may or may not be plant owners.
propane
A normally gaseous paraffinic compound (GI&).The term
includes all products covered by GPA specifications for
commercial and HD-5 propane.
propane, commercial
A liquefied hydrocarbon product consisting predominately of
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 propane and/or propylene and which conforms to the GPA reflux ratio
specification for commercial propane as defined in GPA
Publication 2140. The term applied to the distillation process to give a relative
measurement to the volume of reflux, Commonly the ratio is
expressed as the quantity of reflux divided by the quantity of
propane, HD-5 net overhead product.
A special grade of propane consisting predominately of
propane and which conforms to the GPA specification for regulator
HD-5 propane. A valve which controls the flow or pressure of liquid or gas
through a line.
propylene
relief system
The chemical compound of the olefin. series having the
formula C3H6. Official nomenclature is “propene.” The system for temporarily releasing excess fluid, usually gas,
to avoid a pressure in excess of the design pressure for the
quick-cycle unit particular equipment.

Refer to definition of “fast cycle unit.” remote absorber

raw gas Refer to definition of “satellite system,”

Unprocessed gas or the inlet gas to a plant. reserves

With reference to natural gas, proven reserves at the end of
raw mix liquids any given year are the estimated quantities of natural gas
A mixture of natural gas liquids prior to fractionation. Also which geological and engineering data demonstrate with
called “raw make.” reasonable certainty to be recoverable in the future from
known oil or gas reservoirs.
reboiler
residue
The auxiliary equipment to a fractionator or other column
which supplies heat to the column. The material which remains after a separation process. (1)
Residue gas is that gas remaining after the recovery of liquid
products. (2) Residue may also be the heaviest liquid or solid
receiver remaining after the laboratory distillation or some reclaiming
A vessel in which a process stream or product, especially a process.
condensed overhead, is temporarily stored.
retention
reclaimer Retention time is a synonym for holding time. Refer to
definition of “holding time.”
A system in which undesirable high boiling contaminants of a
stream are separated from the desired lighter materials; a
purifying still. retrograde condensation
Condensation that occurs in a pressure region when the
recovery pressure on a gas containing methane and heavier hy-
drocarbons is reduced. This is the reverse of usual behavior at
That percent or fraction of a given component in the plant feed lower pressures; hence, the term “retrograde condensation” is
which is recovered as plant product. used to describe this phenomenon.

recycle retrograde pressure region

The return of a stream or a part of a stream to a previous The pressure region wherein the hydrocarbons exhibit
processing location for additional recovery of the desired increased volatility as the pressure increases.
components and/or for operational control.
rich amine
recycling plant
The amine leaving the bottom of the contactor. It is the lean
See definition of “cycling plant.” amine plus the acid gases removed from the gas by the lean
amine.
reflux
rich gas
In the distillation process, that part of the condensed
overhead stream that is returned to the fractionating column A gas which is suitable as feed to a gas processing plant and
as a source of cooling. from which products can be extracted.

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 G P A P U B L * l l b 7 83 3824699 0000036 L H

rich oil shut-in

The oil leaving the bottom of an absorber. It is the lean oil plus Shut off to prevent flow. Said of a well, plant, pump, etc., when
all the absorbed constituents. valves are closed at both inlet and outlet.

RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure) sieve tray

A vapor pressure specification for the heavier liquid products
as determined by ASTM test procedure D-323. The vapor
pressure is reported as pounds per sq. in. Reid. The pressure
approximates, but is somewhat less than, the absolute vapor
pressure of the liquid.
sampling
Commonly used synonymously with perforated tray.
slop or slop oil
A term rather loosely used to denote mixtures of oil produced
at various places in the plant which must be rerun or further
processed to be suitable for use.

A collection of samples of gas or liquid to determine, by

analyses, the amount of each component therein for solution gas
allocation purposes, contract specification requirements, and Gas which originates from the liquid phase in the oil

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quality control. reservoir.
salable gas
sour
Gas which meets the specifications of the sales contract.
Liquids and gases are said to be %our” if they contain
satellite system hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans over a specified level.

A system which is located some distance from the plant for

which it performs a function. An absorber or compressor sour gas
system are the more usual examples. Gas containing an appreciable quantity of hydrogen sulfide
and/or mercaptans.
saturated compounds
Hydrocarbon compound‘s having essentially no unsaturated specific gravity
carbon valence bonds. Natural gas and natural gas liquids are
saturated compounds. The ratio of the mass of a given volume of a substance to that
of an equal volume of another substance used as standard.
Unless otherwise stated, air is used as the standard for gases
saturated liquid and water for liquids and the volumes measured at 60°F and
Liquid which is at its boiling point or is in equilibrium with a atmospheric pressure (15.56OC and 101,325).
vapor phase in its containing vessel.
splitter
saturated vapor
A name applied to fractionators, particularly those separat-
Vapor at its dew point. ing isomers; Le., butane splitter refers to a deisobutanizer.

scrubber sponge absorbent

A vessel with or without internals used to separate entrained An absorbent for recovering vapors of a lighter absorbent that
liquids or solids from gas. Such equipment may be used to is used in the main absorption process of a gas processing
protect downstream rotating equipment or to recover plant.
valuable liquids from a gas or vapor originating upstream.

separator sponge absorption unit

A vessel utilizing mechanical and/or thermal means of The unit wherein the vapors of the lighter absorption oils are
separating a stream containing two or more phases. recovered.

shrinkage stabilized condensate

(1) The reduction in volume and/or heating value of a gas Condensate that has been stabilized to a definite vapor
stream due to removal of some of its constituents. (2) pressure in a fractionation system.
aSometimesreferred to as the unaccounted loss of products
from storage tanks. stabilizer
A name for a fractionation system that stabiliz.es any liquid,
short cycle unit
i.e., reduces the vapor pressure so that the resulting liquid is
Refer to “fast cycle unit.” less volatile.

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 stack
The vertical chimney-like installation that is the waste
disposal system for unwanted vapor such as flue gases or tail-
gas streams.
stage separation system
The system of separators wherein the liquid portion of the well
effluent is separated from formation gas and flash vapors.
standard cubic feet (scf-.02832m3)
This refers to a gas volume measurement at a specified
temperature and pressure. The temperature and pressure may
be defined in the gas sales contract or by reference to other
standards.
standard gas measurement law
This law is specific for each of several states. The law defines
the pressure and temperature bases under which a standard
cubic foot of gas should be measured in the particular state.
The standard applies only to the specific state and may not
agree with that in another state.
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steam, dry
Steam with a minimum amount of superheat to prevent
condensatioii.
steam plant
One of the names given to a boiler plant.
steam, saturated
Steam that exists a t a temperature corresponding -to its
absolute pressure. Saturated steam may contain, or be free of,
water particles.
still
The name given to the column wherein the absorbed product
is distilled from the lean absorption oil. In plants using a low
molecular weight absorption oil, the still is designed as a
fractionation unit. In plants using a high molecular weight
absorption oil, the still may use steam or other fluids as a
stripping medium.
stocks
One of several liquid products stored in tanks for subsequent
sale or use.
storage tank
A tank in which liquid products are stored for subsequent
sale, for subsequent use, and/or for retention while their
specifications are being checked.
straddle plant
Refer to definition of “mainline plant.”
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strapping
A term applied to the process of calibrating liquid storage
capacity of storage tanks by increments of depth.
stream
The liquid or gas contained in any pipeline or flowing line.
stream day
This refers to a basis for calculating plant production. A
stream day is a day of full operation. This is different from a
calendar day, which would be used to give average production
for a full year.
stripper
A column wherein absorbed constituents are stripped from
the absorption oil. The term is applicable to columns using
stripping medium, such as steam or gas.
stripping factor
An expression used to explain the degree of stripping.
Mathematically, it is KV/L, the reciprocal of the absorption
factor.
stripping medium
As stated under %ripper,” the medium is steam, gas, or other
material that will increase the driving force for stripping.
substitute natural gas (SNG)
Refer to definition of “synthetic gas.”
sulfur
A pale yellow, non-metallic chemical element. In its elemental
state, called “free sulfur,” it has a crystalline or amorphous
form. In many gas streams, sulfur may be found as volatile
sulfur compounds, i.e., hydrogen sulfide, sulfur oxides,
mercaptans, carbonyl sulfide. Reduction of their con-
centration levels is necessary for corrosion control and, in
many cases, necessary for health and safety reasons.
sulfur dioxide (SOz)
A heavy, colorless, suffocating gas that is, chemically, an
oxide of sulfur, Conversion of the gaseous sulfur oxides to
sulfur is necessary for corrosion control, for health and safety
reasons, and for complying with governmental standards.
sulfur plant
A plant that makes sulfur from the hydrogen sulfide extracted I
from natural gas. One-third of the hydrogen sulfide is burned
to sulfur dioxide, which is reacted with the remaining
hydrogen sulfide in the presence of a catalyst to make sulfur
and water.
supercompressibility
Refer to definition of “compressibility factor.”
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 G P A P U B L * l l b 7 83 W 3 8 2 4 b î î 0800039 7 =’

surge liquefied gases.

An accumulation of liquid above a normal or average level, or
a sudden increase in its flow rate above a normal flow rate. temperature correction factor
A factor for correcting volumes to that occupied at a specific
surge drum reference temperature. Reference temperature most com-
monly used in the petroleum industry is 60°F (15.56OC).
That vessel that is provided for surges in a process when
constant levels are being controlled in all other connecting
equipment. tender
A form that is required by certain regulatory bodies in some
sweet states for their approval of products that are shipped from
plants or other sources.
This refers to the near or absolute absence of sulfur
compounds in either gas or liquid as defined by a given
specification standard. theoretical gallons
The content of liquefiable hydrocarbons in a volume of gas
sweet gas determined from tests or analyses of the gas.
Gas which has no more than the maximum sulfur content
defined by (1)the specifications for the sales gas from a plant; therm
(2) the definition by a legal body such as the Railroad
Commission of Texas. A unit of gross heating value equivalent to 100,000 Btu
(1.055056 * 108 J).
synthetic gas (SG)
thermowell (thermometer-well)
The preferred term to describe the salable gas product
resulting from the gasification of coal and/or gas liquids or A well in a process vessel or line which is used as a
heavier hydrocarbons. thermometer or thermocouple holder.

tail gas total condenser

The exit gas from a plant. A condenser wherein all of the inlet stream is converted to
liquid.
tail gate
The point within the gas processing plant wherein the residue tower
gas is last metered. This is usually at the plant residue sales (1) A vertical vessel such as an absorber, fractionator, or still.
meter or allocation meter. (2) A cooling tower.

take-or-pay clause tray

The clause that may be in a contract which guarantees pay to A horizontal device in a tower that holds liquid and provides a
the seller for gas even though the particular gas volume is not discrete vapor-liquid contactstep. Several common types are
taken during a specified time period. Some contracts may bubble-cap, perforated, or valve trays.
contain a time period for the buyer to take later delivery of the
gas without penalty.
trayed column
tank A vessel wherein gas and liquid, or two miscible liquids, are
A container for holding liquid product. contacted, usually countercurrently on trays.

tank car tray spacing

A tank mounted on a railroad car chassis. Refer to definition The distance between trays in a trayed column.
of “jumbo tank car.”
treater
tank car loading rack
A system for treating gases or liquids, usually for the purpose
The facility that is designed for loading and/or unloading tank of removing objectionable*compounds.
cars with liquid product. Refer to definition of “loading rack.”
treating
tanker
The process of removing objectionable substances from gases
An ocean-going vessel designed for carrying liquid or and liquids.

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 G P A PUBL*:LLb7 83 m 3824699 0000038 5 m

treating plant equivalent to y/x, wherein y is the mol fraction of a given

component in the vapor phase that is in equilibrium with x,
Refer to definition of “treater.” the mol fraction of the same component in the liquid phase. K
is a function of temperature, pressure and composition of the
truck dock particular system.
The structure that is built for the convenience of loading
and/or unloading a truck. vapor pressure
The pressure exerted by a liquid when confined in a specified
turboexpander tank or test apparatus.
Refer to definition of “expansion turbine.”
vapor pressure gasoline
turnaround A descriptive phrase for natural gasoline meeting a specified
vapor pressure.
A term applied to a periodic shutdown of a processing unit or
plant for necessary and/or preventive maintenance.
vapor pressure, GPA
two-phase flow Vapor pressure as specified by GPA procedures.
A term referring to the flow of a vapor phase and a liquid phase
in the same pipeline. vapor recovery
Equipment or process for the recovery of the desired
underground storage components from stock tank vapors or vapors from some other
source.
Storage capacity that has been constructed underground.
Such storage may be that constructed by dissohíng salt from a
salt dome, a mined cavity, or an exhausted oil or gas reservoir. volatile
The property of being easily evaporated, Le., changing from
unsaturated compounds liquid to gas.
Hydrocarbon compounds having one or more unsaturated
carbon valence bonds, i.e., ethylene, propylene. These volatile hydrocarbon
compounds are not found in natural gas streams or gas liquids
(NGL) because of their relatively high chemical activity. Refer to definition of “volatile.”
Unsaturates are produced by a thermal cracking or chemical
reaction and can be found in synthetic gas (SG) or light volatility
refinery gases (LRG).
The property of being volatile.
valve tray
volumetric average
A type of tray for contacting liquid and vapor or gas in an
absorber or fractionating column. An average of any property of a mixture or solution in
proportion to the volume of the individual components in the
mixture or solution.
vapor
A form of matter, having no definite shape or volume unless waste
confined, and which may condense into liquid. Refer to
definition of “gas.” Any unwanted material that results from the operation of a
plant.
vaporization
waste disposal system
The conversion of liquid to vapor because of the absorption of
heat from the atmosphere, heating equipment, or from its own Any system that is provided for the disposal of unwanted
heat content when accompanied by a reduction in pressure. waste.

waste heat boiler

vaporization loss
A steam generating boiler using as its main heat source by-
The loss of liquid as vapor when a liquid enters a warmer
product heat from an industrial operation or from a high
storage tank.or one operating at a pressure less than the vapor
temperature level operation.
pressure of the entering liquid.
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vapor-liquid equilibrium ratio (K-ratio) weathering

The partition coefficient, usually designated as K, which is The evaporation of liquid by exposing it to the conditions of

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 G P A PUBL*LLb7 8 3 3824699 O000040 3 9

atmospheric temperature and pressure. Partial evaporation of wellhead drip

liquid by use of heat may also be called weathering.
A drip located in a line near the wellhead.
weathering test well stream
A GPA test for LP-gas for the determination of heavy The total effluent from a well.
components in a sample by evaporation of the sample as
specified.
wet gas
weight average (i) A gas containing water, or a gas which has not been
dehydrated. (2) A term synonymous with rich gas, Le., a gas
An average 6f any property of a mixture or solution in from which products have not been extracted. Refer to
proportion to the weight of the individual component.-in the definition of “rich gas.”
mixture or solution.
white oil
weight in air
A term for oil having no color.
Weight compared to a standard with no correction for
atmospheric conditions of air buoyancy. wild gasoline
An obsolete term for natural gas liquids before fractionation
weight in vacuum
and stabilization.
Weight compared to a standard in a controlled vacuum
cylinder or corrected for air buoyancy. Wobbe number
A number proportional to the heat input to a burner a t
wellhead
constant pressure. In British practice, it is the heating value
The assembly of fittings, valves, and controls located a t the of a gas divided by the square root of it. gravity. Widely used
surface and connected to the flow lines, tubing, and casing of in Europe, together with a measured or calculated flame
the well so as to control the flow from the reservoir. speed, to determine interchangeability of fuel gases.

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