Glossary of Power Engineering Terms
F
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| FACTOR |
Two numbers multiplied together resulting in a product, i.e. 2 x 3 = 6 (2 and 3 are factors). |
| FACTOR OF SAFETY |
The ratio of ultimate strength to allowable stress. It is used to ensure that a structural member is not subjected to excessive loads that would cause it to fail or not be able to perform the job it was designed for. |
| FAHRENHEIT |
A temperature scale with graduations divided into 212 equal parts (Imperial/English system). |
| FAIL SAFE |
Any device that either shuts down or prevents the start of a machine or system when there is a drop or loss of pressure, flow or level, etc. |
| FAN |
A machine that causes energy to be added to air or other vapours to increase its pressure or velocity. |
| FAUCET |
Valves installed at the outlet connections of fixtures such as sinks, that are used to control the flow of water. |
| FBC |
Fluidized Bed Combustion. |
| FEEDBACK |
The part of a closed loop system which provides the controller with information about the controlled variable for comparison to its desired value |
| FEEDWATER |
Treated water that is supplied to the boiler to replace the boiler water that has been converted to steam and has been removed from the boiler. |
| FERROMAGNETIC MATERIAL |
Material that contains magnetic domains that are relatively easily aligned to produce magnets. Ferromagnetic materials are iron, steel, cobalt, and alnico. |
| FERROUS METAL |
A metal, the major component of which is iron. |
| FILTER |
A device installed in a liquid or gas flow used to remove particulate matter. |
| FINAL CONTROL ELEMENT |
The device that directly changes the value of the manipulated variable. |
| FIRE TUBE |
Refers to the tubes of fire tube boilers through which combustion gases flow. |
| FIRE-TUBE BOILER |
A boiler consisting of drum containing tubes through which hot combustion gases pass. |
| FIRST AID |
Immediate care given to a casualty at the scene of an accident prior to obtaining advanced medical support. |
| FITTINGS |
Devices fitted directly to a boiler or other piece of equipment that are used for safe and efficient operation. |
| FIXED OILS |
Lubricants of animal or plant origin. |
| FLAME-OUT |
A condition that occurs when the burner has lost its flame; also referred to as flame failure. |
| FLAMMABLE AEROSOLS |
Any product, material or substance is included in Division 5 if it is packaged in an aerosol container and, when tested in accordance with the method set out in Schedule VI of the Controlled Products Regulations, produces a flame projection or a flashback. |
| FLAMMABLE GASES |
A product, material or substance falls into this division if it is a Compressed Gas (Class A) and at normal atmospheric pressure forms a flammable mixture with air. |
| FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS |
A product, material, or substance falls into Division 2 if it has a flashpoint less than 37.8°C when tested in accordance with the applicable method. |
| FLAMMABLE MATERIALS |
A product, material, or substance falls into Division 6 of Class B if it meets either of two conditions; 1) It is spontaneously combustible under normal conditions of use and it emits a flammable gas or 2) it becomes spontaneously combustible on contact with water or water vapour. |
| FLAMMABLE SOLIDS |
A product, material or substance is included in this division if it meets any one of four criteria that result in ignition. |
| FLOC |
Groups or clumps of particles or coagulants and impurities that have come together and formed a cluster. Found in aeration tanks, secondary clarifiers and chemical precipitation processes. |
| FLOCCULATION |
The gathering together of small particles to form larger particles. |
| FLUORESCENCE |
The emission of light energy by a substance as a result of the absorption of energy from ultraviolet radiation. |
| FLUX |
A material used to prevent, dissolve, or facilitate removal of oxides and other undesirable surface substances. Also, the measure of the quantity of magnetism, taking into account the strength and extent of the magnetic field. |
| FLUX DENSITY |
The number of magnetic lines of flux per unit area in a magnetic field. |
| FOAM EXTINGUISHERS |
These fire extinguishers use a cylindrical tank that is filled with sodium bicarbonate and an inner container with a solution of aluminium sulphate that combine to produce foam discharge. |