Definitions of Common Terms Module T60: TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999

DEFINITIONS OF COMMON TERMS
MODULE T60
F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 1

CONTENTS
1.0 BULK TRANSFER VOLUMES............................................................................... 3

1.1 TOTAL OBSERVED VOLUME (TOV) ...................................................... 3
1.2 GROSS OBSERVED VOLUME (GOV) .................................................... 3
1.3 GROSS STANDARD VOLUME (GSV) ..................................................... 3
1.4 NET OBSERVED VOLUME (NOV) .......................................................... 3
1.5 NET STANDARD VOLUME (NSV)........................................................... 3
1.6 TOTAL CALCULATED VOLUME (TCV) ................................................... 3
1.7 TOTAL WEIGHT-IN-AIR (TWA) ............................................................... 3
1.8 GROSS WEIGHT-IN-AIR (GWA) ............................................................. 4
1.9 NET WEIGHT-IN-AIR (NWA)................................................................... 4
1.10 TOTAL MASS (TM) ................................................................................ 4
1.11 NET MASS (NM) .................................................................................... 4
2.0 VOLUMES FOR DYNAMIC MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATION........................ 4
2.1 INDICATED VOLUME............................................................................. 4
2.2 GROSS VOLUME................................................................................... 4
2.3 GROSS STANDARD VOLUME ............................................................... 4
2.4 NET VOLUME........................................................................................ 4
2.5 NET STANDARD VOLUME..................................................................... 4
3.0 TERMS USED IN METER PROVING CALCULATIONS .......................................... 5
3.1 METER FACTOR ................................................................................... 5
3.2 K-FACTOR............................................................................................. 5
4.0 WATER................................................................................................................ 5
4.1 DISSOLVED WATER.............................................................................. 5
4.2 SUSPENDED WATER ............................................................................ 5
4.3 FREE WATER........................................................................................ 5
4.4 TOTAL WATER ...................................................................................... 5
5.0 GENERAL............................................................................................................ 5

1.0 BULK TRANSFER VOLUMES
1.1 TOTAL OBSERVED VOLUME (TOV)
The volume of oil including total water and total sediment, measured at the oil
temperature and pressure prevailing. This may be either the volume in a tank or the
difference between the volumes before and after a transfer.
1.2 GROSS OBSERVED VOLUME (GOV)
The volume of oil including dissolved water, suspended water and suspended
sediment but excluding free water and bottom sediment, measured at the oil
temperature and pressure prevailing. This may be either the volume in a tank of the
1.3 GROSS STANDARD VOLUME (GSV)
The volume of oil including dissolved water, suspended water and suspended
sediment but excluding free water and bottom sediment, calculated at standard
conditions e.g. 15°C and 1.01325 bar. This may be either the volume in a tank or the
1.4 NET OBSERVED VOLUME (NOV)
The volume of oil excluding total water and total sediment, measured at the oil
temperature and pressure prevailing. This may be either the volume in a tank or the
1.5 NET STANDARD VOLUME (NSV)
The volume of oil excluding total water and total sediment, calculated at standard
conditions e.g. 15°C and 1.01325 bar. This may be either the volume in a tank or the
1.6 TOTAL CALCULATED VOLUME (TCV)
The gross standard volume plus the free water measured at the temperature and
pressure prevailing.
1.7 TOTAL WEIGHT-IN-AIR (TWA)
The mass which a TOTAL CALCULATED VOLUME of oil appears to have when
weighed in air.

1.8 GROSS WEIGHT-IN-AIR (GWA)
The mass which a GROSS STANDARD VOLUME of oil appears to have when
weighed in air.
1.9 NET WEIGHT-IN-AIR (NWA)
The mass which a NET STANDARD VOLUME of oil appears to have when weighed
in air.
1.10 TOTAL MASS (TM)
The mass of the TOTAL CALCULATED VOLUME of oil.
1.11 NET MASS (NM)
The mass of the NET STANDARD VOLUME of oil.
2.0 VOLUMES FOR DYNAMIC MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATION
2.1 INDICATED VOLUME
The change in meter reading that occurs a transfer through a meter.
2.2 GROSS VOLUME
The indicated volume multiplied by the appropriate meter factor for the liquid and flow
rate concerned, without correction for temperature and pressure. It includes all water
and sediment that was transferred through the meter.
2.3 GROSS STANDARD VOLUME
The gross volume corrected to the standard conditions e.g. 15°C and 1.0325 bar.
2.4 NET VOLUME
The gross volume minus the water and sediment transferred through the meter.
2.5 NET STANDARD VOLUME
The net volume corrected to the standard conditions e.g. 15°C and 1.01325 bar.

3.0 TERMS USED IN METER PROVING CALCULATIONS
3.1 METER FACTOR
The ratio of the actual volume of liquid passed through a meter to the volume
indicated by the meter.
3.2 K-FACTOR
The pulses generated by a meter for a unit of volume delivered.
{equation error}
4.0 WATER
4.1 DISSOLVED WATER
The water contained within the oil forming a solution at the prevailing temperature.
4.2 SUSPENDED WATER
The water within the oil which is finely dispersed as small droplets. It may over a
period of time either collect as free water, or becomes dissolved water depending on
the conditions of temperature and pressure prevailing.
4.3 FREE WATER
The water that exists in a separate payer and typically lies beneath the oil.
4.4 TOTAL WATER
The sum of all the dissolved, suspended and free water in a cargo or parcel of oil.
5.0 GENERAL
ACCURACY
A qualitative expression for the closeness of a measured quantity to the true value.
The quantitative expression of accuracy should be in terms of uncertainty. Good
accuracy implies small random and systematic errors.
API
American Petroleum Institute

API GRAVITY
An American unit used in the petroleum industry to express the density of petroleum
liquids.
{Equation error}
AUTOMATIC (LINE) SAMPLER
A device which, when installed in a pipe and activated by automatic control

equipment, enables a representative sample of the flowing liquid to be obtained. See
in-line and by-pass samplers.
AVERAGE
Also termed mean
Arithmetic average. The average value of a series of results calculated by summing

all the results and dividing by the number of results.
Weighted average. The average value of a series of results calculated by according

each result the significance which it merits.
BASE VOLUME
The calibrated volume(s) of a pipe prover at 1.01325 bar (zero) and 15°C. It is
sometimes termed the 'swept volume'.
BI-DIRECTIONAL
Flow may be in either directional e.g. bi-directional pipe prover or meter.
BLIND
A circular meter disc which is installed in a pipeline to positively stop all flow through
the pipeline. Also known as a 'spade'.
BLOCK AND BLEED VALVE
See valve.
BUTTERFLY VALVE
See valve.

BY-PASS SAMPLER
An automatic sampler which takes a sample from a by-pass sample line.
CALIBRATION CERTIFICATE
A certificate issued by a standardization laboratory expressing the relationship

between the reading indicated by an instrument and the true value. The
determination of the true value must be traceable to a national standard.
CERTIFIED (INSTRUMENT)
An instrument, e.g. thermometer, which has been calibrated by a standardization

laboratory and accompanied by a calibration certificate.
CENTRALIZED PROVING
A method of proving the calibration of meters in which they are transferred from their
working position to an agreed proving site (laboratory).
COMPRESSIBILITY
The relationship between the oil volume and the pressure. There are several
definitions to cover different physical and engineering requirements. For metering
and pipeline calculations the required compressibility is the isothermal secant
compressibility defined by the following simplified equation:
{Equation error}
Where Vo is the volume of liquid at zero bar g and V is the volumetric change as the
gauge pressure changes from zero to P bar at constant temperature. The negative
sign indicates that as the pressure increases the oil volume decreases.
Note that at zero bar g the absolute pressure is usually defined as 1.01325 bar
(atmospheric).
COMPACT PROVER
Positive displacement piston prover of significantly smaller volume than conventional

sphere provers.
CONDENSATE
Light end hydrocarbons which are separated from the crude as vapour and
recondensed to form a separate liquid or which result from drying hydrocarbon-wet
gas in natural gas production.

CONTINUOUS DENSITY METER
See Densitometer.
CONTROL CHART
A graphical representation demonstrating meter performance with time or flowrate.
DEAD WEIGHT TESTER
An apparatus, hydraulically or air operated for calibrating pressure gauges. The

required pressures are obtained using accurate weights.
DENSITY
The density, of a fluid is its mass per unit volume generally expressed in kg/1 or
kg/m³. Since density is dependent on temperature and pressure these must be
stated.
DENSITOMETER
A density meter in which the sample flows continuously through or around the
transducer and the measurement is continuous.
DENSITY TRANSDUCER
The sensing component of a density meter.
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE
The pressure drop (which will vary with flowrate) across a device, e.g. orifice
plate/filter, in a flowing stream.
DISPLACER
A spherical or cylindrical object which is a component part of a pipe prover that

moves through the prover pipe. The displacer has an elastic seal which contacts the
inner pipe wall of the prover to prevent leakage. The displacer is caused to move
through the prover pipe by the flowing fluid and displaces a known measured volume,
the swept volume, of fluid between two fixed detectors.
DRIFT
An observed change, usually uncontrolled, in meter performance, meter factor etc.

which occurs over a period of time.

DRY OIL DENSITY
The density of clean dry oil i.e. oil containing no suspended water or sediment. The
dry oil density may be calculated from the wet oil density and the water sediment
content.
DYNAMIC MEASUREMENT
Continuous metering of the quantity of oil or gas transferred through a pipeline.
FLASHING
A process where high volatility components come out of solution, usually caused by a
reduction in pressure.
FLOW STRAIGHTENER
A length of straight pipe, containing straightening vanes or the equivalent, which is

installed at the inlet of a flow meter to eliminate swirl in the liquid, thereby reducing
measurement errors.
GRAVIMETRIC (PROVER)
A prover in which the total throughput is obtained by accurate weighing of the liquid.
HOMOGENIZE
To mix thoroughly the individual components. In the case of crude oil/water mixtures,
to break up large water droplets and any free water which may be present and to
evenly disperse the water throughout the oil to produce a mixture in which every sub-
division has the same water content (Homogeneous).
HIGH VAPOUR PRESSURE
See vapour pressure.
HISTOGRAM
A diagram which shows a frequency distribution.
IN-LINE (MEASUREMENT)
Measurement in which the measurement device is located directly within the main
line or vessel and measures continuously. See on-line measurement.

IN-LINE (SAMPLER)
A sampler which takes a sample directly from a line.
ITERATIVE CALCULATION
A process of determining a parameter which uses an approximation as a starting

point for a series of calculations, each of which progressively improves the accuracy
of the estimate of that parameter.
INTERPOLATION
A process by which an appropriate value is placed between tabulated values of a

function.
IP
Institute of Petroleum
ISOKINETIC SAMPLE
A sample taken from a pipeline in which the linear velocity of the fluid through the
opening of the sample probe is equal to linear velocity in the pipeline, and it in the
same direction as the bulk of the fluid in the pipeline approaching the probe.
K-FACTOR
See meter K-factor.
LINEAR (METER RANGE)
The flow range over which the meter factor does not deviate from specified limits.
LINEARITY (OF A METER)
The ideal performance characteristic curve is a straight line denoting a constant

meter or K-factor. meter linearity is expressed as the total range of deviation of the
accuracy curve from such a straight line between the minimum and maximum
recommended flow rates.
LOW VAPOUR PRESSURE
See vapour pressure.

MASS
The mass of substance is the quantity of matter it contains. it is therefore

independent of external conditions such as the buoyancy of the atmosphere. the
metric unit is the kilogram. The tonne (1000 kilograms) is also used.
MASTER (METER)
A meter which is proved using a certified prover and subsequently used to calibrate
other meters (or provers).
MEAN
See average.
METER FACTOR
The ratio of the actual volume of liquid passed through the meter (during proving ) to
the v volume indicated by the meter. For subsequent metering operations the actual
throughput, gross volume, is determined by multiplying the indicated volume
registered by the meter by the meter factor.
METER K-FACTOR
A factor (strictly speaking a divisor) denoting the number of pulses emitted by a

turbine meter whilst unit volume is delivered (usually expressed in pulses/m³).
MOBILE PROVER
A prover which can be taken to a metering skid to enable the required meter(s) to be
proved in-situ.
ON-LINE (MEASUREMENT)
Measurement in which the transducer is operating on a sample withdrawn

continuously from a pipeline or vessel via a sampling system.
ORIFICE PLATE (METER)
A stiff plate drilled with a hole (orifice) which is inserted, generally between flanges or
in a purpose designed fitting, into a pipeline through which fluid is flowing. The
diameter of the orifice is smaller than the internal diameter of the pipeline, thereby
creating a pressure drop across the plate. By measuring the pressure drop
(differential pressure, dp) the flowrate through the pipeline can be determined.

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTIC
A graph of meter K-factor or meter factor ratio against flowrate. The flowrate may be
in absolute terms (e.g. m³/h) or expressed as a percentage of the maximum rated
flow.
POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT METER
A meter which measures a volume of liquid by mechanically separating the liquid into
discrete quantities of fixed volume and counting the quantities in volume units.
PRESSURE
Force per unit area measured, usually in bar or Pascal (Pa) where 1 bar = 100,000
Pa.
- Absolute Pressure measured with respect to zero pressure. In the metric

system this has denoted as bar a or bar absolute.
PRESSURE
- Atmospheric The atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by the

atmosphere at sea level. Although it varies with climatic
conditions it is taken to have an average value of 1.01325 bar a.
- Back The pressure downstream of a meter.
- Gauge Pressure recorded by a gauge and measured with respect to that

of the atmosphere. It is denoted usually by bar g.
- Differential See pressure drop.
- Drop (Loss) The differential pressure in the flowing liquid stream (which will
vary with flowrate) between the inlet and outlet of a meter, filter or
strainer, flow straightener, valve etc).
PROBABILITY BAND
A stated departure, expressed in terms of the standard deviation s, from the mean of
several results. In metering, two bands are of interest represented by x ± 2s and x ±
3s where x is the mean of the results and s is the standard deviation from the mean.
PROFILE
Variation of any parameter (e.g. flow velocity, water content) across the diameter of a
pipeline.

PIPE PROVER
Continuous flow volumetric measurement equipment comprising a calibrated length

of pipe from which a known accurate volume is displaced by a displacer from a meter
being calibrated at normal operating conditions.
PULSATING FLOW
Flow with periodic pressure fluctuations.
PULSE GENERATOR
A meter accessory coupled to the measuring element and designed to produce a

series of electrical pulses whose number is proportional to the volume measured and
whose frequency is proportional to the flowrate.
PYKNOMETER
An accurately calibrated container of known volume and mass used in the

determination of fluid density.
RANGEABILITY
The region between the limits within which a quantity is measured, received or
transmitted, expressed by stating the lower and upper range values.
RELATIVE DENSITY (t1/t2)
The oil density at temperature t1 divided by the density of water at temperature t2.
Relative density (60/60°F)
{Equation error}
Relative density (15/4°C)
{Equation error}
Since the density of pure water at 4°C can be taken to be 1.0000 kg/1 it follows that
relative density (15/4°C) is numerically equal to the oil density at 15°C.

REPEATABILITY
The closeness of the agreement required between the results of successive

measurements of the same quantity carried out by the same operator, using the
same measuring instrument at the same location, over a short period of time. This is
usually expressed for 95% confidence.
REPRODUCIBILITY
The closeness of the agreement required between the results of measurements of

the same quantity where the individual measurements are made by different
operators, using different equipment at different locations, over a long period of time.
This is usually expressed for 95% confidence.
REYNOLDS NUMBER
A dimensionless number indicating the possible state of turbulence in the fluid.
{Equation error}
Where:
V is the average oil velocity

d is the internal diameter of the pipe
ρ is the oil density
η is the oil dynamic viscosity
SAMPLE
A small separated part.
- Representative Typical of the whole i.e. of the same quality as the whole.
- Automatic Line Sample A sample withdrawn automatically from oil flowing in a

pipeline which is representative of the total batch passed
through the line.
- Flow Proportional Sample A sample taken from a pipeline, during the whole period
of transfer ofa batch, at a rate which is proportional to the
rate of flow of the liquid in the pipeline at any instant.
- Sub-Sample The quantity, expressed as a percentage, of foreign

material in the form of solid particles, generally sand and
rust, present in a quantity of oil. The method of test for
measuring the sediment content is the extraction test,
IP53/ASTM D473/API MPMS 10.1.

SLIP (METER)
Oil which passed through a meter without causing registration. It varies with flowrate,
viscosity and dimensional changes in the meter which result from variations in
temperature and pressure of the measured liquid.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
An obsolescent term. See relative density.
SPIKE
To blend condensate or low density hydrocarbons with the crude oil.
SPOOL PIECE
A short length of pipework, equipped with appropriate flanges at each end which can
be inserted into a pipeline. Blank spool pieces may be used to replace turbine meters
on system start-up. Spool prices may sometimes incorporate items of
instrumentation.
STABILITY
The ability of a measuring instrument to maintain its accuracy over a long period of
time.
STANDARD DEVIATION
The root mean square (rms) deviation of the observed values from the average.
STANDARDIZATION LABORATORY
A laboratory accredited by National/International authorities to carry out calibrations

to traceable measurement standards.
STRAINER
A device placed upstream of a meter to remove from the stream foreign material
which is likely to damage the meter or interfere with its operation. The strainer
element is generally coarser than that of a filter designed to remove solid
contaminants.
SWEPT VOLUME
See base volume.

SWIRL
A qualitative term, describing tangential motions of liquid flow in a pipe or tube.
TEMPERATURE COMPENSATOR
A device for continuously correcting the measured volume to the volume at the
reference temperature at the pipeline pressure.
THERMOWELL
A metal protective pocket installed in the pipe wall into which the sensing element
(e.g. bulb) of a thermometer is inserted.
TRACEABILITY
Also termed Traceable Measurement Standard. The relation of a prover or a

transducer calibration, through a step-by-step process, to the fundamental standard
of mass, length and time, certified and maintained by national or international
standardisation laboratories.
TRANSDUCER
A device which provides a useable electrical output signal in response to a

measurement.
TURBINE
A bladed rotor flowmeter component which turns at a speed approximately

proportional to the mean velocity of the stream and therefore to the volume rate of
flow.
TURNDOWN (RATIO)
The ratio of the maximum and minimum flowrates which can be accurately measured
by the meter. Both of these flowrates should be obtained from the performance
characteristic curve although the maximum flowrate may frequently be the maximum
rated throughput of the meter.
UNCERTAINTY
The interval within which the true value of a measured quantity can be expected to lie
within a stated probability.

UNI-DIRECTIONAL
Flow must be in one direction only e.g. uni-directional pipe prover or meter.
VALVE
The following terms apply to the category of the valve.
- Back Pressure A valve used to automatically regulate a uniform pressure on its

inlet side.
- Block and Bleed A high integrity valve with double seals with provision for
determining if either seal leaks.
- Butterfly A valve in which a disc of the same diameter as the valve bore is
rotated to open or seal against the flow.
- Four Way A flow reversing valve used with bi-directional provers.
VAPOUR PRESSURE
The pressure in an enclosed space which is due to the vapour of the substance
occupying that space. It is a measure of the tendency of the substance to evaporate.
It increases as the temperature rises, and when it becomes equal to atmospheric
pressure the substance, if it is a liquid under atmospheric pressure, boils.
High vapour pressure (HVP) crude oil is applicable to petroleum with a vapour
pressure, at its prevailing temperature, equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure.
The term Low Vapour Pressure (LPV) or stabilised crude oil is applicable to
petroleum that does not boil at atmospheric pressure, that is, its vapour pressure at
its prevailing temperature is less than atmospheric pressure. Generally its vapour
pressure is less than 0.8 bar.
The Reid Vapour Pressure is the vapour pressure of petroleum at 37.78°C (100°F) as
determined by ASTM D323.
VISCOSITY (DYNAMIC)
The property by which a fluid in motion offers resistance to shear and flow; the ratio of
shear stress to shear strain.
VISCOSITY (KINEMATIC)
The dynamic viscosity divided by the oil density.

VOLUME CORRECTION FACTOR
A factor dependent upon the oil density and temperature which corrects oil volumes
to the standard reference temperature. For crude oil such factors shall be obtained
from the Petroleum Measurement Tables, T able 54A, or the corresponding computer
sub-routine.

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DEFINITIONS OF COMMON TERMS

F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 1

1.0 BULK TRANSFER VOLUMES............................................................................... 3

F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 2

1.1 TOTAL OBSERVED VOLUME (TOV)

1.2 GROSS OBSERVED VOLUME (GOV)

1.3 GROSS STANDARD VOLUME (GSV)

1.4 NET OBSERVED VOLUME (NOV)

1.5 NET STANDARD VOLUME (NSV)

1.6 TOTAL CALCULATED VOLUME (TCV)

1.7 TOTAL WEIGHT-IN-AIR (TWA)

F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 3

1.9 NET WEIGHT-IN-AIR (NWA)

1.10 TOTAL MASS (TM)

The mass of the TOTAL CALCULATED VOLUME of oil.

1.11 NET MASS (NM)

The mass of the NET STANDARD VOLUME of oil.

2.0 VOLUMES FOR DYNAMIC MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATION

2.1 INDICATED VOLUME

The change in meter reading that occurs a transfer through a meter.

2.2 GROSS VOLUME

2.3 GROSS STANDARD VOLUME

2.4 NET VOLUME

2.5 NET STANDARD VOLUME

F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 4

3.1 METER FACTOR

The pulses generated by a meter for a unit of volume delivered.

4.1 DISSOLVED WATER

4.2 SUSPENDED WATER

4.3 FREE WATER

4.4 TOTAL WATER

American Petroleum Institute

F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 5

AUTOMATIC (LINE) SAMPLER

A device which, when installed in a pipe and activated by automatic control

Also termed mean

Arithmetic average. The average value of a series of results calculated by summing

Weighted average. The average value of a series of results calculated by according

Flow may be in either directional e.g. bi-directional pipe prover or meter.

BLOCK AND BLEED VALVE

F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 6

An automatic sampler which takes a sample from a by-pass sample line.

A certificate issued by a standardization laboratory expressing the relationship

An instrument, e.g. thermometer, which has been calibrated by a standardization

Positive displacement piston prover of significantly smaller volume than conventional

F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 7

A graphical representation demonstrating meter performance with time or flowrate.

DEAD WEIGHT TESTER

An apparatus, hydraulically or air operated for calibrating pressure gauges. The

The sensing component of a density meter.

A spherical or cylindrical object which is a component part of a pipe prover that

An observed change, usually uncontrolled, in meter performance, meter factor etc.

F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 8

Continuous metering of the quantity of oil or gas transferred through a pipeline.

A length of straight pipe, containing straightening vanes or the equivalent, which is

HIGH VAPOUR PRESSURE

See vapour pressure.

A diagram which shows a frequency distribution.

F:\Central\Tyro\ TYRO T60.doc Rev 2 October 1999 Page 9

A sampler which takes a sample directly from a line.

A process of determining a parameter which uses an approximation as a starting

A process by which an appropriate value is placed between tabulated values of a

See meter K-factor.