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blow down valve / Bodé plot
blow down valve A valve generally used to
continuously regulate the concentration of
solids in the boiler (not a drain valve).
blowback The difference between the pres-
sures at which a safety valve opens and
closes, usually about 3 percent of the pres-
sure at which the valve opens.
blowby Leakage of fluid through the clear-
ance between a piston and its cylinder dur-
ing operation.
blowdown 1. In a safety valve, the difference
between opening and closing pressures. 2. In
a steam boiler, the practice of periodically
opening valves attached to the bottom of
steam drums and water drums, during boiler
operation, to drain off accumulations of sedi-
ment.
Blowdown and Chemical Balance
blower A fan used to force air under pres-
sure.
blowhole A pocket of air or gas trapped dur-
ing the solidification of a cast metal.
blow-off valve A specially designed, manu-
ally operated valve connected to the boiler
for the purpose of reducing the concentration
of solids in the boiler or for draining pur-
poses.
blowout disk See rupture disk device.
bluing Also spelled "blueing." 1. Forming a
bluish oxide film on steel by exposing it to
steam, air, or other agents at a suitable tem-
perature, thus giving scale-free surfaces an
attractive appearance and improved corro-
sion resistance. 2. Heating formed springs
after fabrication to improve their properties
and reduce residual stress. 3. A thin blue
oxide formed on polished metal surfaces
when exposed briefly to air at high tempera-
tures.
BMP Bit-mapped format method for saving
graphics in electronic memory, used for
exchanging data between computers. Also,
best management practices, an EPA (United
53
States) term for a practice that is not standard
per se but must be adhered to no matter
what or result in permit loss, even if effluent
limits are met.
BMS Burner management system; terminol-
ogy originating in power generation indus-
try.
BNC Bayonet-Neill-Concelman; bayonet-
locking connector used on Ethernet 10Base2
thinnet coaxial cabling.
board A flat sheet in which integrated cir-
cuits are mounted. See panel.
board tester A system that tests printed cir-
cuit boards, with or without components.
BOB Break-out box; testing device that per-
mits the user to cross and tie leads using
jumper wires.
BOD Biochemical oxygen demand of pollut-
ants, calculated for EPA (United States) regu-
lations. Also, business object document.
Bode diagram In process instrumentation, a
plot of the log gain (magnitude ratio) and
phase angle values on a log frequency base
for a transfer function. [ANSI/ISA-51.1-1979
(1993)]
Typical Bode Diagram
Bode plot 1. A graph of transfer function ver-
sus frequency. The gain (often in decibels)
and phase (in degrees) are plotted against the
frequency on log scale. Also called a "Bode
diagram." 2. In vibration analysis, a plot of
amplitude versus frequency and phase ver-
sus frequency with all data points at running
speed. The data are admitted through a
tracking filter as the machine changes speed.
body / bolometer

body The main pressure b o u n d a r y of the

valve, which also provides the pipe connect-
ing ends and the fluid flow passageway as
well as supporting the valve trim. [ANSI/
ISA-75.05.01-2000]
body, encapsulated A body with all surfaces
covered by a continuous surface layer of a
different material, usually an elastomeric or
polymeric material.
body, split A valve b o d y design in which
trim is secured between two segments of a
valve body.
body, wafer A thin annular section b o d y
whose end surfaces are located and clamped
between the piping flanges by bolts extend-
ing from flange to flange.
body, wafer, lugged A thin annular section
body whose end surfaces m o u n t between the
pipeline flanges or may be attached to the
end of a pipeline without any additional
flange or retaining parts, using either
through-bolting a n d / o r tapped holes.
body, weir type A body that has a raised con-
tour that is contacted by a diaphragm to shut
off fluid flow.
body cavity The internal chamber of the
valve body. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
boiler 1. A closed vessel in which water is
heated, steam is generated, steam is super-
heated, or any combination of these, by the
application of heat from combustible fuels in
a self-contained or attached furnace. [ISA-
77.41-1992] A typical boiler control scheme is Boiler Drum Level Mechanics
shown in the illustration accompanying this
definition. 2. The entire vessel in which boiler water A representative sample of the
steam or other vapor is generated for use circulating boiler water after the generated
external to itself, including the furnace. This steam has been separated and before the
includes the waterwall tubes; the firebox incoming feed water or a d d e d chemical
area, including burners and dampers; the becomes mixed with it, thus affecting its
convection area, consisting of any super- composition.
heater, reheater, a n d / o r economizer sections boiling The conversion of a liquid into vapor
as well as d r u m s , generating tubes, and with the accompanying formation of bub-
headers. [ANSI/ISA-77.13.01-1999; A N S I / bles.
ISA-77.42.01-1999;ANSI/ISA-77.44-1995] boiling out The boiling of a highly alkaline
water in boiler pressure parts for the removal
boiler drum level A water-tube boiler (not of oils, greases, a n d the like.
once-through) process variable that is mea-
boiling water reactor (BWR) A nuclear
sured and controlled by adding feedwater.
steam supply system in which process steam
Control may be single-element, two-element,
is generated in the reactor vessel. [ISA-67.03-
or three-element; the control strategy will
1982]
depend on the user's requirements a n d the
boiler design. Measured variables m a y boldface In the typographical composition of
include d r u m level, steam flow, feedwater screen displays and printing, the heavier
flow, b l o w d o w n flow, d r u m pressure, and typeface version of a type family.
feedwater pressure. bolometer A sensitive infrared detector that
operates based on a change in temperature
boiler horsepower The evaporation of 34½ induced by absorbing infrared radiation. It is
lbs of water per hour from a temperature of m a d e of two thin, blackened gratings of plat-
212°F into dry saturated steam at the same inum, one illuminated and the other kept in
temperature. Equivalent to 33,475 Btu. the dark. The absorption of heat changes the

54

electrical resistance, which is detected by
comparing the resistances of the two gratings
in an electrical circuit.
bolt A threaded fastener that consists of a
rod, usually made of metal, that has threads
at one end and an integral round, square, or
hexagonal head at the other end. Short bolts
usually have threads running the entire
length below the head, and longer bolts often
have an unthreaded shank between the head
and threaded end.
bolted joint An assembly of two or more
parts held together by a bolt and nut, with or
without washers, or by a bolt that threads
into a tapped hole in one of the parts.
bomb calorimeter An apparatus for measur-
ing the quantity of heat released by a chemi-
cal reaction. It consists of a strong-walled
metal container (bomb) immersed in about
2.5 liters of water in an insulated container. A
sample is sealed in the bomb, the bomb
immersed, and the sample ignited (or a reac-
tion started) by remote control. The heat
released is measured by observing the rise in
temperature of the water bath.
bond 1. A wire rope that attaches a load to a
crane hook. 2. Adhesion between cement or
mortar and masonry. 3. In an adhesive-
bonded or diffusion-bonded joint, the junc-
tion between faying surfaces. 4. In welding,
brazing, or soldering, the junction between
assembled parts. Where filler metal is used, it
is the junction between fused metal and
heat-affected base metal. 5. In grinding
wheels and other rigid abrasives, bond is the
material that holds abrasive grains together.
6. Material added to molding sand to hold
the grains together. 7. The junction between
base metal and cladding in a clad metal
product.
bondable Designed to be permanently
mounted to a surface by means of adhesives.
[ISA-37.1-1975 (R1982)]
bonded Permanently attached over the
length and width of the active element.
[ISA-37.1-1975 (R1982)]
bonded liner 1. A liner vulcanized or
cemented to the body bore. [ANSI/ISA-
75.05.01-2000] 2. In a butterfly valve body, a
liner vulcanized or cemented to the body
bore.
bonded strain gauge A device for measuring
strain. It consists of a fine-wire resistance ele-
ment, usually in zigzag form, which is
embedded in nonconductive backing mate-
rial such as impregnated paper or plastic,
which is in turn cemented to the test surface
or sensing element.
55
bolt / Boolean algebra
bonded transducer A pressure sensor that
uses a bonded strain guage to generate the
output signal.
bonding 1. An electrically conductive con-
nection between metallic parts of the equip-
ment that needs to be grounded and some
other part of the equipment to which a
grounding conductor is connected. 2. The
permanent joining of metallic parts to form
an electrically conductive path that will
ensure electrical continuity and the capacity
to conduct safely any current likely to be
imposed. [ISA-12.01.01-1999]
bone dry A papermaking term used to
describe pulp fibers or paper from which all
water has been removed. Also known as
"oven dry" and "moisture free."
bonnet The portion of the valve that contains
the packing box and stem seal and may
guide the stem. It provides the principal
opening to the body cavity for assembling
internal parts or it may be an integral part of
the valve body. It may also make it possible
to attach the actuator to the valve body. Typi-
cal bonnets are bolted, threaded, welded,
pressure sealed, or integral with the body.
[ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
bonnet, seal-welded A bonnet welded to a
body so as to provide a zero leakage joint.
[ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
bonnet bolting A means of fastening the
bonnet to the body. It may consist of studs
with nuts for a flanged bonnet joint, studs
threaded into the bonnet neck of the body, or
bolts through the bonnet flange. [ANSI/ISA-
75.05.01-2000]
bonnet gasket A deformable seal between
the mating surfaces of the body and bonnet.
It may be deformed by bonnet bolting load-
ing or energized by fluid pressure within the
valve. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
bonnetless A gate valve that has packing
between the gate and body, such that the gate
extends outside the pressure boundary in the
open position. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
bonnetted Agate valve that has a bonnet that
encloses the gate within the pressure bound-
ary when in the open position. The packing
is provided at the stem. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-
2000]
bonnet types Typical bonnets are bolted,
threaded, or welded to or integral with the
body. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000] Other types
are extension bonnets and seal welded bonnets.
Boolean Pertaining to logic quantities.
Boolean add See OR.
Boolean algebra A process of reasoning or a
deductive system of theorems that uses a
Boolean expression / bottom flange
symbolic logic and deals with classes, propo-
sitions, or on-off circuit elements. To permit
mathematical calculation, it employs sym-
bols to represent operators such as AND, OR,
NOT, EXCEPT, IF, THEN, and so on. Named
after George Boole, a famous English mathe-
matician.
Boolean expression A quantity expressed as
the result of Boolean operations such as and
and or, and not upon Boolean variables.
Boolean functions A system of mathematical
logic that is often executed in circuits in
order to provide digital computations such
as OR, AND, NOR, NOT, and so on.
Boolean operator A logic operator whose
operands and result are one of two values.
Boolean variable See logical variable.
booster A repeater station that amplifies and
retransmits a received signal.
booster fan A device for increasing the pres-
sure or flow of a gas.
booster relay A volume- or pressure-ampli-
fying pneumatic relay that is used to reduce
the time lag in pneumatic circuits by repro-
ducing pneumatic signals that have high-
volume and/or high-pressure output.
[ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000]
boot 1. A computer routine in which a few
instructions are loaded that then cause the rest
of the system to be loaded. 2. To start or
restart a computer system by causing
instructions to be read from a storage device
(disk, etc.) into computer's memory. To boot
a computer involves loading part of the
operating system into the computer's main
memory. If the computer is already oper-
ating, it is called a "warm boot"; otherwise, it
is called a "cold boot."
bootstrap A technique for loading the first
few instructions of a routine into storage,
then using these instructions to bring in the
rest of the routine. This usually involves
either entering a few instructions manually
or using a special key on the console.
bootstrap loader A routine whose first
instruction is sufficient to load the remainder
of the routine into memory from an input
device. It is normally used to start a complete
system of programs.
bore 1. The inner cavity in a pipe or tube. 2.
The diameter of the cylinder of a piston-cyl-
inder device such as a reciprocating com-
pressor, engine or pump, or a hydraulic or
pneumatic power cylinder. 3. To penetrate or
pierce a workpiece with a rotating cutting
tool. 4. To increase the size of an existing
hole, generally with a single-point cutting
tool, while either the work or the cutting tool
56
rotates about the central axis of the hole. 5.
The inner surface of a gun tube. 6. The cen-
tral hole in a laser or other type of tube (a
capillary, waveguide, or a hole in a
micro-channel plate).
bore Reynolds number A calculated Rey-
nolds number, including Rd using Vbore, Pbore,
u b o r e , d b o r e ; a l s o Rd = R D )/B.
borescope A straight-tube telescope, incorpo-
rating mirrors or prisms, that is used to visu-
ally inspect the inner surfaces of pipes or gun
tubes.
boresighting To align a gun, directional
antenna, or other device by optical means or
by observing a return signal from a fixed tar-
get at a known location. The term is derived
from an early military practice of looking
down the bore of an artillery piece to obtain
an initial line of sight to a target.
boron counter tube A type of radiation
counter tube that is used to detect slow neu-
trons. The tube has electrodes that are coated
with a boron compound, and it also may be
filled with BF3. A slow neutron is easily
absorbed by a B10 nucleus, which results in
the emission of an alpha particle.
borosilicate glass A type of heat-resisting
glass that contains at least 5 percent boric
acid. Also, business object document.
BOSFET Bipolar metal oxide semiconductor
field effect transistor; an optically isolated
FET.
boss 1. A localized projection on a valve or
actuator surface that can serve various pur-
poses, such as for drain connections, auxil-
iary connections, a yoke connection, or for
other attachments. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-
2000] 2. A raised portion of metal of small
area and limited thickness on flat or curved
metal surfaces. 3. A short projecting section of
a casting, forging, or molded-plastic part,
often cylindrical in shape, and used to
strengthen, align, or fasten assembled parts.
bottom contraction The vertical distance
from the crest to the floor of the weir box or
channel bed.
bottom dead center The position of a piston
and its connecting rod when the piston is at
the extreme downstroke position.
bottom flange A part that closes a valve body
opening opposite the bonnet opening. It may
include a guide bushing and/or serve to
allow the reversal of the valve action. In
three-way valves, it may provide the lower
flow connection and its seat. [ANSI/ISA-
75.05.01-2000]

bound water In a moist solid that is to be
dried, that portion of the water content that
is chemically combined with the solid matter.
boundary lubrication A condition occurring
during the sliding contact between two sur-
faces when contact pressures are high enough
and sliding velocities low enough that hydro-
dynamic lubrication is completely absent.
Mating surfaces slide across each other on a
multimolecular layer of lubricant, often with
some solid-to-solid surface contact. For liquid
lubricants, a bearing-characteristic (Sommer-
field) number of 0.01 is considered to be the
upper limit of boundary lubrication.
Bourdon tube 1. A pressure-sensing element
consisting of a twisted or curved tube of non-
circular cross section that tends to be
straightened when internal pressure is
applied. [ISA-37.1-1975 (R1982)]. 2. A flat-
tened tube that is twisted or curved and
closed at one end and is used as the pres-
sure-sensing element in a mechanical pres-
sure gauge or recorder. A process stream
pressure is routed to the open end of the
tube, and the tube flexes or untwists in rela-
tion to the internal pressure. The change in
shape of the tube is used to operate a
mechanical pointer or pen positioner. Also
known as "Bourdon element" and "Bourdon
pressure gauge."
boustrophedon Literally, writing lines "as
the ox plows." Lines that are written (or
printed) alternately back and forth, that is,
right to left on one, left to right on the next,
and so on.
box A flowchart symbol.
boxcar averager A piece of signal-processing
instrument that averages equally weighted
selected portions of repetitive signals to
improve signal quality. Sometimes called a
57
bound water / branch
"gated integrator" because it passes or gates
portions of the signal, then integrates them.
box header boiler A horizontal boiler of the
longitudinal or cross-drum type and consist-
ing of a front- and rear-inclined rectangular
header that is connected by tubes.
box wrench A closed-end wrench that is
designed to fit a single size and shape nut.
Different wrench ends are needed for differ-
ent nut sizes and shapes. Also known as a
"box end wrench."
B power supply An electrical power supply
that is connected in the plate circuit of a vac-
uum tube electronic device.
Bps, B/s Bytes per second; unit of data
transmission rate.
BPT Best practicable control technology cur-
rently available in complying with EPA
(United States) pollution prevention require-
ments.
Bragg's law A principle that describes the
apparent reflection of X-rays (and DeBroglie
waves associated with certain particulate
beams) from atomic planes in crystals. The
maximum reflected intensity occurs along
the family of directions that is defined by:
0 = arcsin ënl/2d
where 0 is the Bragg angle (angle of reflec-
tion and of incidence), n is an integer, ë is the
wavelength of monochromatic radiation
reflected from the crystal, and d is the inter-
planar spacing of the reflecting parallel
planes in the crystal.
brake A machine element for applying fric-
tional force to slow or stop relative motion.
brake drum See drum.
brake horsepower The mechanical power an
engine develops. It is measured by absorbing
the engine's output with a friction brake or
dynamometer that is applied to the engine's
shaft or flywheel.
brake lining A material with a high coeffi-
cient of friction that is used as the principal
friction element in a mechanical brake. It
usually is made of fabric or molded asbestos
and usually can be readily replaced so as to
extend the brake's service life and restore
braking efficiency.
brake shoe See shoe.
Brale A 120° conical diamond indenter used
in the Rockwell hardness testing of relatively
hard metals.
branch [Comp] In computing, any one of a
number of instruction sequences in a pro-
gram to which computer control is passed,
depending upon the status of one or more
variables. The instructions that mechanize
this concept are sometimes called branch
branch circuit / bridged-T network
instructions. However, the terms transfer of
control and jump are more widely used.
Related to conditional transfer.
branch circuit That portion of permanently
installed wiring that lies between the final
overcurrent protective device and the attach-
ment-plug receptacle or outlet, or point of
connection to the fixed equipment.
branch instruction An instruction that per-
forms a branch.
branchpoint A point in a routine where a
choice is m a d e of one among of two or more
possible paths. See conditional transfer.
brass Any of the m a n y alloys that are based
on the binary system copper-zinc. Most
brasses contain no more than 40 wt% zinc.
braze welding A joining process similar to
brazing but in which the filler metal is not
distributed in the joint by capillary action.
brazing A method for joining metals that
uses heat and a filler metal whose melting
temperature is above 8 5 0 F b u t below the
melting temperature of the base metals. Filler
metal is distributed in the joint by capillary
action.
breadboard model A prototype or uncased
assembly of an instrument or electronic
device whose parts are laid out on a flat sur-
face and connected together to demonstrate
or check its operation.
break [Comp] 1. An interruption in computer
processing. [Comm] 2. In communications, to
interrupt the sending end and take control of
the circuit of the receiving end. 3. In digital
communications, a signal to another station,
usually to interrupt the process of transmis-
sion.
break condition In asynchronous transmis-
sion, this is a prolonged space condition that
often signals a request to terminate computer
output. Many asynchronous keyboards are
equipped with a break key.
breakdown voltage rating The DC or sinuso-
idal AC voltage that can be applied across
specified insulated portions of a transducer
without causing arcing or conduction above
a specified current value across the insulat-
ing material. Note: The time duration of
application, ambient conditions, and AC fre-
quency must be specified.
break point 1. The junction of the extension
of two confluent straight-line segments of a
plotted curve. Note: In the asymptotic
approximation of a log-gain versus log-fre-
quency relation in a Bode diagram, the value
of the abscissa is called the corner frequency.
[ISA-RP51.1-1975] 2. A point in a program
where an instruction, instruction digit, or
58
other condition enables a programmer to
interrupt the run either by external interven-
tion or through a monitor routine.
break-point instruction 1. An instruction
that will cause a computer to stop or to trans-
fer control, in some standard fashion, to a
supervisory routine that can monitor the
progress of the interrupted program. 2. An
instruction that, if some specified switch is
set, will cause the computer to stop or take
other special action.
breaks Creases or ridges, usually appearing
in aged sheet or strip, where the yield point
has been locally exceeded. Depending on the
origin of the break they may be termed a
"coil break," "cross break," "edge break," or
"sticker break."
breeching A duct for transporting the prod-
ucts of combustion between parts of a steam-
generating unit or to the stack.
Bremsstrahlung X-rays that have a broad
spectrum of wavelengths and are formed
w h e n a beam of energetic electrons deceler-
ates as it penetrates a target. Also known as
"white radiation."
Brewster-angle w i n d o w A w i n d o w inserted
into an optical path at Brewster's angle, that
is, the angle at which unpolarized light must
be incident u p o n a nonmetallic surface for
the reflected radiation to acquire m a x i m u m
plane polarization. At Brewster's angle, the
reflected plane polarized beam and the
refracted beam through the w i n d o w are both
at 90°.
bridge [Comm] 1. A network device that
interconnects two local area networks
(LANs) that use the same logical link control
(LLC) but m a y use different message authen-
tication codes (MACs). A bridge requires
only OSI (Open Systems Interconnection)
Level 1 and 2 protocols. See gateway and
router. [Meas] 2. The strain-to-voltage con-
verter in m a n y measurement systems (actu-
ally, a Wheatstone bridge).
bridge amplifier A type of amplifier circuit
used extensively in instrumentation to pro-
vide gains of u p to 1,000 at b a n d w i d t h s u p to
50 kHz. It is generally configured as a
direct-coupled amplifier constructed of four
subamplifiers and suitable fixed resistances.
bridge circuit An electronic network in
which an input voltage is applied across two
parallel elements and the output voltage—to
an indicating device or load—is taken across
two intermediate points on the parallel ele-
ments.
bridged-T network A T-network that has a
fourth branch that is connected in parallel

with the two series branches of the T, with
the fourth branch termination at one input
and one output terminal.
bridgewall A wall in a furnace over which
the products of combustion pass.
bridging 1. The premature solidification of
metal across a mold section before the adja-
cent metal solidifies. 2. Welding or mechani-
cal jamming of the charge in a downfeed
furnace. 3. The forming of an arched cavity in
a powder metal compact. 4. The forming of
an unintended solder connection between
two or more conductors, either a secure con-
nection or merely an undesired electrical
path without mechanical strength. Also
known as "crossed joint" and "solder short."
Briggs pipe thread See American standard pipe
thread.
bright dipping Producing a bright surface on
metal, such as by immersing it in an acid
bath.
brightness A term used in nonquantitative
statements to refer to sensations and percep-
tions of light. In quantified statements, the
term is used to refer to the description of
brightness in terms of photometric units. See
luminance.
brightness temperature The temperature of
any non-blackbody as determined by using
an optical pyrometer that is calibrated to give
the true temperature of a blackbody. This
temperature is always less than the true tem-
perature of the non-blackbody.
bright plating Electroplating in order to yield
a highly reflective coated surface.
bright switch A solid-state switch that con-
sists of two bipolar transistors connected in
an inverted configuration to achieve a low
offset voltage. Used in only limited applica-
tions today.
Brinell test A standard bulk hardness test in
which a 10-mm diameter ball is pressed into
the surface of a test piece. A hardness num-
ber is determined by dividing the applied
load in kg by the area of the circular impres-
sion in sq mm.
British thermal unit (Btu, BTU) The mean
British thermal unit is 1/180 of the heat
needed to raise the temperature of 1 lb of
water from 32°F to 212°F at a constant atmo-
spheric pressure. It is about equal to the
quantity of heat required to raise 1 lb of
water 1 F. A Btu is essentially 252 calories.
brittle fracture The separation of solid mate-
rial with little or no evidence of macroscopic
plastic deformation. It usually occurs by the
rapid propagation of cracks and requires less
59
bridgewall / bronze
energy than for ductile fracture of a similar
structure.
brittleness The tendency of a material to frac-
ture without apparent plastic deformation.
Brix scale A specific-gravity scale used
almost exclusively in sugar refining. Degrees
Brix represent the weight percentage of pure
sucrose in water solution at 17.5C.
broaching Cutting a finished hole or contour
in solid material by axially pulling or push-
ing a bar-shaped, toothed, tapered cutting
tool across a workpiece surface or through a
pilot hole.
broadband A medium based on CATV (com-
munity antenna television) technology
wherein multiple signals are frequency divi-
sion multiplexed. Because of the use of
CATV technology, a broadband cable is uni-
directional (within any given block of fre-
quencies). As a result, two types of
broadband systems are in common use: sin-
gle cable and dual cable. In a single cable sys-
tem, stations transmit and receive on the
same cable but at different frequencies. The
station transmits on one frequency. The sig-
nal travels down the network to the head
end, gets translated into a different fre-
quency, and is sent back down the network
where it is received by all stations. In a dual
cable system, the stations transmit and
receive at the same frequency but on differ-
ent cables. The end of the transmit cable is
connected to the beginning of the receive
cable, forming a double loop through the
plant.
broadband pyrometer See wideband radiation
thermometer.
broadband transmission (fiber optic) The
transmission of signals that have a large
bandwidth, such as video transmissions.
broadcast 1. The simultaneous dissemina-
tion of information to one or more stations,
in one direction, with no acknowledgment of
receipt. 2. A message addressed to all sta-
tions connected to a local area network
(LAN).
B roll In video development, video footage
that is edited over a voice track to illustrate
the issues being discussed. See A/B roll.
bronze 1. A copper-rich alloy of copper and
tin, with or without small amounts of addi-
tional alloying elements. 2. By extension, cer-
tain copper-base alloys that contain less tin
than other elements, such as manganese
bronze and leaded tin bronze. Also, certain
other copper-base alloys that do not contain
tin, such as aluminum bronze, beryllium
bronze, and silicon bronze. 3. Trade names
brouter / buffered computer
for certain copper-zinc alloys (brasses), such
as architectural bronze (Cu-40Zn-3Pb) and
commercial bronze (Cu-10Zn).
brouter A device that determines whether data
uses a protocol that it can route and bridges
data that it cannot route. Performs many of
the tasks of bridges and routers without the
protocol restrictions of a router. Brouters are
expensive, complex, and difficult to install.
browser A software program designed to
facilitate navigation along the World Wide
Web such as to find information, download
files, and print copies.
brush plating An electroplating process in
which the surface to be plated is not
immersed, but rather rubbed with an elec-
trode that contains an absorbent pad or
brush that holds (or is fed) a concentrated
electrolyte solution or gel.
BSI British Standards Institution; British
certification laboratory for testing the equip-
ment of different vendors to some common
standard. Member of IEC.
BTEX Benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and
xylene; a consideration in EPA (United
States) regulations.
BTF Bend to fit; this comment is the unstated
last step of all do-it-yourself instructions.
BTG Boiler turbine generator combination;
terminology originated in power generation
industry.
BTL Bridge-tied load; power amplifier tech-
nique.
bubble 1. The circular symbol used to denote
and identify the purpose of an instrument or
function. It may contain a tag number. Syn-
onym for "balloon." [ANIS/ISA-5.1-1984
(R1992)] 2. A small volume of steam enclosed
within a surface film of water from which it
was generated. 3. Any small volume of gas
or vapor surrounded by liquid. Surface-ten-
sion effects tend to make all bubbles spheri-
cal unless they are acted upon by outside
forces.
bubblegas Any gas that has been selected to
bubble from the end of a liquid-immersed,
level-measurement tube as a result of the
hydrostatic back pressure created in the tube.
bubble memory See magnetic bubble memory.
bubble point The temperature at which a liq-
uid mixture begins to boil and evolve vapors.
bubble sort A procedure for sorting a set of
items. It begins by sequencing the first and
second items, then the second and third, and
so on, until the end of the set is reached. It
then repeats this process until all items are
correctly sequenced.
60
bubble tight A nonstandard term used to
refer to leakage in the seat of a control valve.
Refer to ANSI/FCI 70-2 for the specification
of seat leakage classifications. [ANSI/ISA-
75.05.01-2000]
bubble tube A length of pipe or tubing
placed in a vessel at a specified depth to
transport a gas that has been injected into the
liquid for the purposes of measuring level
from hydrostatic back pressure in the tube.
bubbler-type specific-gravity meter See
air-bubbler specific-gravity meter.
bubble-type viscometer A device similar to a
ball-type viscometer, except that viscosity is
determined from the timed rise of a stan-
dard-sized bubble through the sample liquid
instead of from the timed fall of a ball.
buckle 1. Localized waviness in a metal bar
or sheet, usually transverse to the direction
of rolling. 2. An indentation in a casting
caused by the expansion of molding sand
into the cavity.
Buckley gauge A device that measures very
low gas pressure by sensing the amount of
ionization produced by a prescribed electric
current.
buckling Producing a lateral bulge, bend,
bow, kink, or wavy condition in a beam, bar,
column, plate, or sheet by applying compres-
sive loading.
buffer [Comp] 1. In computing, an internal
portion of a data processing system that
serves as intermediate storage between two
storage or data-handling systems with differ-
ent access times or formats. The buffer is
usually used to connect an input or output
device with the main or internal high-speed
storage. Clarified by storage buffer. [Eng] 2. In
engineering, an isolating component
designed to eliminate the reaction of a driven
circuit on the circuits driving it, for example,
a buffer amplifier. [Sci] 3. See buffer solution.
buffer circuit An isolating circuit interposed
between two circuits to minimize the reac-
tion from output to input. It usually has a
high input impedance and a low output
impedance.
buffer coating In fiber-optic cable, a layer
such as acrylic polymer applied over fiber
cladding for protective purposes.
buffered computer A computing system
with a storage device that permits input and
output data to be stored temporarily in order
to match the slow speeds of input and output
devices. Thus, simultaneous input-output
and computer operations are possible. A
data transmission trap is essential to the
effective use of buffering since it obviates the
 buffered data channel (BDC) / bumpless transfer
need to test frequently for the availability of
a data channel.
buffered data channel (BDC) A device that
provides high-speed parallel data interfaces
into and out of the computer memory.
buffered I/O channel A computer I/O chan-
nel that controls the movement of data
between an external device and memory,
under the control of self-contained registers
(i.e., independently of the operating pro-
gram). See buffered data channel.
buffer memory A temporary storage device
used to compensate for the difference in data
rate and data flow of two devices (typically, a
computer and printer). Also called spooler.
buffer solution (or buffered solution) In pH
terms, a solution that maintains a set pH
value regardless of added acids or bases;
often used for calibration.
buffer tube In fiber-optic cable, a hard plastic
tube for holding one or more fibers.
buffing Producing a very smooth and bright
surface by rubbing it with a soft wheel, belt,
or cloth that has been impregnated with a
fine abrasive such as jeweler's rouge.
bug An error, defect, or malfunction in a
computer program.
buildup 1. Excessive electrodeposition on
areas of high current density, such as at cor-
ners and edges. 2. Small amounts of work
metal that adhere to the cutting edge of a tool
and reduce its cutting efficiency. 3. Deposi-
tion of metal by electrodeposition or spray-
ing in order to restore the required dimen-
sions of worn or undersized machine parts.
bulb In a liquid-filled thermometer, the area
at the tip (sensing portion) of a filled system
that contains the liquid reservoir and, hence,
the largest proportion of the expanding fluid
(thus minimizing inaccuracies).
bulb, thermal See thermal bulb.
bulge A local distortion of ouward swelling
caused by internal pressure on a tube wall or
boiler shell because of overheating. Also, the
similar distortion caused by external pres-
sure of a cylindrical furnace when over-
heated, provided the distortion is moderate
enough to be driven back.
bulk density The mass per unit volume of a
bulk material, averaged over a relatively
large number of samples.
bulkhead female connector (BFC) The tub-
ing to a pipe connector that allows the tube
to be joined to a pipe at a bulkhead junction.
The tubing connection is on one end, and the
female pipe thread is on the other end.
bulkhead male connector (BMC) The tubing
to a pipe connector, allowing the tube to be
61
joineding to a pipe at a bulkhead junction.
The tubing connection is on one end, and the
male pipe thread is on the other end.
bulkhead union (BU) A tubing connector
that allows the joining of two tubes at a bulk-
head junction. It has a tubing connection on
each end.
bulk memory See secondary storage.
bulk modulus An elastic modulus whose
value is determined by dividing hydrostatic
stress by the associated volumetric strain
(usually computed as the fractional change
in volume).
bulk storage A hardware device in a com-
puter system that supplements computer
memory; typically, a magnetic tape or disk.
bulk storage memory Any nonprogrammed
large memory, for example, disks, drums, or
magnetic tape units.
bullet In the typographical composition of
screen displays and printing, a solid dot used
as an ornamental character, usually to high-
light an important item in the text.
bulletin board service (BBS) A service pro-
viding users of computers connected to a
phone line with general access to a shared
site for the general exchange of messages,
illustrations, software, and the like. A BBS
can be commercial (paid subscribers), volun-
teer, or perhaps provided by a product ven-
dor for use by its customers.
bull gear A bull wheel with gear teeth
around its periphery.
bull wheel 1. The main wheel or gear of a
machine, usually the largest and strongest. 2.
A cylinder with a rope wound around it for
lifting or hauling.
bump A raised or flattened portion of a
boiler drumhead or shell formed by fabrica-
tion, generally used for nozzle or pipe attach-
ments.
bumpless transfer The change from a man-
ual to automatic mode of control, or vice
versa, without changing the control signal to
the process.
BUMPLESS TRANSFER
Buna-N / bushing
Buna-N A nitrile synthetic rubber known for
resistance to oils and solvents.
bundle (fiber optic) A group of fibers pack-
aged together that collectively transmits light
in a coherent bundle. The end fibers are in a
fixed relationship to each other and can
transmit an image.
bunker C oil Residual fuel oil of high viscos-
ity that is commonly used in marine and sta-
tionary steam power plants. (No. 6 fuel oil.)
buoyancy The tendency of a fluid to lift any
object submerged in the body of the fluid.
The amount of force applied to the body
equals the product of the fluid's density and
the volume of fluid displaced.
buoyancy displacers The technique for mea-
suring liquid level by measuring the buoyant
force on a partially immersed volumetric dis-
placing device.
buoyancy-type liquid-level detector Any of
several designs of level gauge that depend
for their operation on the buoyant force act-
ing on a float or similar device located inside
the tank or vessel.
burden 1. The amount of power consumed in
the measuring circuit of an instrument, usu-
ally given as the volt-amperes consumed
under normal operating conditions. 2. The
property of a circuit connected to the second-
ary winding of an instrument transformer
that determines active and reactive power at
the transformer output terminals.
Bureau d'Orientation de la Normalisatin en
Informatique The French national stan-
dards body for computer-related standards.
burner 1. Any device for producing a flame
using liquid or gaseous fuel. 2. A device in
the firebox of a fossil-fuel-fired boiler that
mixes and directs the flow of fuel and air in
order to give rapid and complete combus-
tion. 3. A worker who cuts metal using an
oxyfuel-gas torch.
burner windbox A plenum chamber around
a burner in which an air pressure is main-
tained to ensure the proper distribution and
discharge of secondary air.
burner windbox pressure The air pressure
maintained in the windbox or plenum cham-
ber as measured above atmospheric pres-
sure.
burn-in The operation of a device, usually
under accelerated environmental conditions,
to simulate life in the devices' intended
application so as to screen out early-life fail-
ures.
burnish To polish or make shiny. Specifically,
to produce a smooth, lustrous surface finish
on metal parts by tumbling them with hard-
62
ened metal balls or rubbing them with a hard
metal pad.
burr 1. A thin, turned-over edge or fin pro-
duced by a grinding wheel, cutting tool, or
punch. 2. A rotary tool that has teeth similar
to those on a hand file.
bursting In data processing, the act of sepa-
rating continuous forms into single sheets.
burst pressure Maximum pressure applied to
a device such as a transducer, sensor, or case
without causing leakage.
burst pressure rating The pressure that may
be applied to the sensing element or the case
(as specified) of a transducer without ruptur-
ing either the sensing element or trans-
ducer's case as specified. Note 1: The
minimum number of applications and time
duration of each application must be speci-
fied. Note 2: In the case of transducers that
are intended to measure a property of a pres-
surized fluid, the burst pressure is applied to
the portion subjected to the fluid. [ISA-37.1-
1975 (R1982)]
burst proportioning Fast-cycling output
from an on-time-proportioning controller
used in conjunction with solid-state relay.
Burst proportioning is typically used in the
control of electric furnaces to prolong the life
of heaters by minimizing thermal stress.
bus 1. The trunk and all devices connected to
it. [ANSI/ISA-50.02, Part 2-1992]. 2. A group
of wires or conductors, considered as a single
entity, that interconnect part of a system. 3. In
a computer, signal paths such as the address
bus, the data bus, and so on. 4. A circuit over
which data or power is transmitted, often
one that acts as a common connection among
a number of locations. Synonymous with
trunk. 5. A communications path between
two switching points. 6. A common connec-
tor circuit, usually multiwire, for transferring
power, data, timing, and the like between the
several modules or units on the bus.
bus arbiter, bus scheduler A device dedi-
cated to the task of regulating the fair alloca-
tion of bus bandwidth.
bus cycle The transfer of one word or byte
between two devices.
bushing 1. A device that supports and/or
guides moving parts such as valve stems or
shafts. [ANSI/ISA-75.05.01-2000] 2. A
removable piece of soft metal or impreg-
nated sintered-metal sleeve used as a bearing
or guide. 3. An insulating device carrying
one or more conductors through the internal
or external wall of an enclosure. [ISA-
12.00.01-1999 (IEC 60079-0 Mod)]
 butterfly valve / byte

butterfly valve 1. A valve with a circular bypass capacitor A capacitor connected in

b o d y and a rotary motion disk closure m e m - parallel with a circuit element to provide an
ber, pivotally supported by its stem. [ANSI/ alternative AC current path of relatively low
ISA-75.05.01-2000]. 2. A valve that consists of impedance.
a disk inside a valve body, which operates by b y p a s s i n g The act of temporarily defeating a
rotating about an axis in the plane of the disk safety function in a Safety Instrumented Sys-
in order to shut off or regulate flow in a pip- tem. [ANSI/ISA-84.01-1996]
ing system. A similar device used in heating by-product The incidental or secondary out-
or ventilating ductwork is called a butterfly p u t of a chemical production or manufactur-
damper. ing process that is obtained in addition to the
principal product with little or no additional
investment or allocation of resources.
byte 1. A sequence of adjacent binary digits
operated upon as a unit and usually shorter
than a word. [ISA-RP55.1-1975 (R1983)] 2.
Generally accepted as an eight-bit segment
of a computer word. 3. Eight contiguous bits
starting on an addressable byte boundary.
Bits are numbered from the right, 0 through
7, with 0 being the low-order bit. When inter-
preted arithmetically, a byte is a two's com-
butterfly valve liner types See slip in, locked plement integer with significance increasing
in, bonded, wrap around, flange retained, elasto- from bits 0 through 6. Bit 7 is the sign bit. The
meric energized, pressure energized, and encap- value of the signed integer is in the range of -
sulated body. 128 to 127 decimal. When interpreted as an
unsigned integer, the significance increases
butterfly valve seal types See flexible lip seal,
from bits 0 through 7, and the value of the
pressure energized seal, and metal piston type
unsigned integer is in the range 0 to 255 deci-
seal.
mal. A byte can be used to store one ASCII
buttering Coating the faces of a weld joint character. 4. A collection of eight bits that is
prior to welding to prevent the cross contam- capable of representing an alphanumeric or
ination of a weld metal and base metal. special character.
Butterworth The filter characteristic in which
constant amplitude across the pass band is
the objective. Also k n o w n as "constant
amplitude (CA)."
butt joint A joint between two members
lying approximately in the same plane. In
welded joints, the edges may be machined or
otherwise prepared to create any of several
types of grooves prior to welding.
buttstrap A narrow strip of boiler plate over-
lapping the joint of two butted plates. Used
for connecting by riveting.
butt weld A weld that joins the edges or ends
of two pieces of metal that have similar cross
sections, without overlap or offset along the
joint line.
BVS Berggewerkschaftliche Versuchsstrecke
(Germany). [ANSI/ISA-12.01.01-1999] Ger-
man certification and testing laboratory for
testing the equipment of different vendors to
some common standard
by hand Denotes that an operation does not
require the use of a tool, coin, or any other
object that may serve as a tool.
b y p a s s A passage for a fluid that p e r m i t s a
portion or all of the fluid to flow around its
normal pass flow channel.

63