| ASI |
Applied Sciences,
Inc. |
| Aspect ratio |
Fiber length to
fiber diameter |
| ATP |
Advanced Technology
Program |
| B:C |
Benefit to cost
ratio |
| bbl |
Barrels of crude
oil |
| boe |
Barrels of oil
equivalent |
| bpd |
Barrels of oil
per day |
| Carbonization |
Process by which
PAN is pyrolyzed into carbon fibers, carried out in
an inert atmosphere at temperatures of 1,000º to 1,500º centigrade |
| Catalyst |
Substance added
to a polymer resin to initiate the cure |
| CNC |
Computer numerical
control for automated machinery |
| Composites |
Reinforcing fiber
in a resin matrix. More generally, substances composed
of at least two distinctly dissimilar materials acting in concert.
The properties of composites are not attainable by the individual
components acting alone. |
| CPR |
Composite production
risers, for offshore petroleum exploration and
production |
| Cross-linking |
Chemical bonding
of molecules, which in polymers occurs in the curing
transition from liquid to solid |
| Cure |
Irreversible change
in the properties of a thermosetting resin by chemical reaction
(cross-linking) during which process a composite develops its
full strength |
| E-Glass |
Electrical-grade
fiberglass commonly used to reinforce composites |
| EMI |
Electromagnetic
interference |
| Fiber debulking |
Process to improve
handling characteristics of nanoscale fibers |
| Functional group |
Groups of oxygen,
nitrogen, and sulfur-based compounds resident
on carbon fiber surfaces |
| GOM |
Gulf of Mexico |
| Graphitization |
Process step after
PAN carbonization used to obtain higher carbon
yield and graphitic microstructure |
| HNBR |
Uncured hydrogen-resistant
rubber for CPR fabrication |
| IRR |
Internal rate
of return |
| Lateral reserves |
Lateral extensions
of existing and probable petroleum reserves |
| MCI |
Metal to composite
interface (for composite production risers) |
| Micron |
Millionth of a
meter |
| nm |
Nanometer or a
billionth of a meter |
| MMS |
U.S. Minerals
Management Service, Department of Interior |
| Modulus |
Modulus of elasticity,
the ratio of stress (force per unit area) divided by strain (percent
deformation of a body subjected to a force) |
| Morphology |
Structural characteristics
of carbon fibers |
| NPV |
Net present value |
| OMB |
Office of Management
and Budget |
| OCS |
Outer continental
shelf |
| OEM |
Original equipment
manufacturer |
| PAH |
Polyaromatic
hydrocarbon |
| PAN |
Polyacrylonitrile,
a conventional precursor of carbon fiber |
| PEEK |
Polyetheretherketone |
| Polymer |
Chain molecule
composed of many identical groups, commonly found in plastics |
| PP |
Polypropylene,
a matrix material for thermoplastic composites |
| Precursors |
Starting component
materials for a chemical reaction |
| Production well |
Hole drilled
into the ocean floor, usually cased with pipe, for the recovery
of crude oil, condensates, and natural gas |
| psi |
Pounds per square
inch |
| Pultrusion |
Continuous process
of manufacturing composites with a crosssectional shape. Process
consists of pulling fibers (reinforcing materials) through a
resin impregnation bath and through a shaping die, where the
resin is subsequently cured. |
| Pyrograf-III |
Brand name for
Applied Science Inc. vapor-grown carbon fiber |
| Pyrolize |
Transformation
(decomposition) of a compound by the action of heat, in an inert
atmosphere. In the context of VGCF manufacturing, pyrolisis is
used to remove tars and other hydrocarbons from the surface of
the carbon fiber. |
| Resin |
Liquid polymer
which, when catalyzed, cures to a solid state |
| SAPV |
Surface area per
vehicle |
| SPAR |
Stationary floating
platform for offshore oil production. Its structure is that of
a vertical floating cylinder attached by means of cables to anchors
placed on the seafloor. |
| Surface area |
Surface area of
carbon fibers, including the areas of pores, voids, and cavities |
| Surface energy |
Energy states
among surface molecules of crystal lattices, as opposed to energy
states among internal molecules |
| Thermal |
Measures dimensional
change in a material when heated and coefficient cooled, in inches
per degree of expansion |
| Thermoplastic |
Group of plastic
materials that become elastic or melt when heated and return
to their rigid state at room temperature. |
| Thermosets |
Materials that
undergo a chemical cross-linking reaction going from liquid to
solid or to a semisolid. This reaction is irreversible. |
| TLP |
Tension leg platform,
a floating deck structure anchored to pile heads on the seafloor
by means of long tendons that are kept in tension. TLPs are used
in offshore oil production. |
| Vinyl ester resin |
Thermosetting
resin, containing ester of acrylic and/or methacrylic acids,
for making polymers that cure to an insoluble cross-linked matrix
resin |
| VGCF |
Vapor-grown carbon
fiber |
| VOC |
Volatile organic
compound, a harmful byproduct of automotive painting process |
