Page 305 - Root Cause Failure Analysis

Glossary 293

centripetal force The radial force required to keep a particle or
object moving in a circular path, which can be
shown to be directed toward the center of the
circle.

chronic Of continued duration.
chronology The arrangement of data in order of time of
appearance.

classification Sorting or categorizing by established criteria.
compressor A machine used to increase the pressure of a gas
or vapor.

concentricity When the smaller of two circular, cylindrical, or
spherical shapes is centered within the larger
one.
condensate The liquid product that forms from condensable
gases or vapors when they are subjected to
appropriately altered conditions of temperature
or pressure.

control valve A valve that controls pressure, volume, or flow
direction in a fluid transmission system.
conveyor Any materials-handling machine designed to
move individual articles, such as solids or free-
flowing bulk materials, over a horizontal,
inclined. declined, or vertical path of travel with
continuous motion.

corrosion Gradual destruction of a metal or alloy due to
chemical processes such as oxidation or the
action of a chemical agent.
critical speed The angular speed at which a rotor becomes
dynamically unstable with large lateral
amplitudes due to resonance with the natural
frequencies of lateral vibration of the rotor.

current in-rush Initial current surge that occurs on startup of a
piece of equipment, such as a motor.
cyclone separator A funnel-shaped device for removing particles
from air or other fluids, steam from water, water
from steam, and in certain applications to
separate particles into two or more size classes.
deadheading Pumping against a closed discharge valve.