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Glossary

The Kallanish Glossary aims to be a useful resource for complex industry specific terminology. We are constantly adding to our glossary, so if you have a suggestion or amendment please do get in touch.
Anode

The fuel electrode in a fuel cell at which oxidation occurs

Appraisal Well

A well drilled as part of an appraisal drilling program which is carried out to determine the physical extent, reserves and likely production rate of a field.

APU

An auxiliary power unit (for example a fuel cell) provides electricity and is supplemental to the main power source of a vehicle (such as an internal combustion engine).

A single cell

A single cell is the smallest and most basic form of fuel cell. It is useful for testing and development purposes to predict how stacks will perform.

Associated Gas

Associated gas is a form of natural gas which is found with deposits of petroleum, either dissolved in the oil or it may form a cap of free gas above the oil. 

Back-up Rolls

In a rolling mill, back-up rolls exert force on the two rolls which are actually in contact with the metal being processed (the work rolls). The back-up rolls prevent the work rolls from bending under the forces exerted on them as they "squeeze" the metal passing through the mill into a new profile.

Bake Hardening

Bake hardening alters the properties of sheet in a car production line. The body panels are painted once they have been pressed and the paint is later cured by passing through an oven. Although the steel is already work hardened during pressing, it will be during the curing process that the arrangement of the atoms in the steel will change. The result is that after baking and cooling the steel has a higher strength than it did after pressing. 

Barrel

A unit of volume measurement used for petroleum and its products.

Bars

Bars are long steel products of various different shapes, most of which are cross-sectional such as round, square, L-shaped (angle bars) and tees.

Basic Oxygen Furnace

The basic oxygen furnace converts iron from the blast furnace into steel. When oxygen is blown over the molten iron in a BOF vessel, it combines with and removes carbon as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Unwanted silicon, phosphorus and other elements are also driven off, while other impurities are combined with fluxes which are removed and then made into slag. The reactions in the BOF vessel creates heat, so ferrous scrap is added to cool it down. 

Battery

A battery is a device containing an electric cell or a series of electric cells storing energy that can be converted into electrical power (usually in the form of direct current). Electrochemical cells transform chemical energy into electrical energy. Inside the battery is an electrolyte, often consisting of soluble salts or acids. It serves as a conductive medium, allowing the electric charge to travel through the battery.

Battery Raw Materials

Battery raw materials are the materials used to make batteries. 60% of batteries is made up of a combination of materials like zinc (anode), manganese (cathode) and potassium. Critical raw materials used in manufacturing Li-ion batteries (LIBs) include lithium, graphite, cobalt, and manganese

Battery recycling

Battery recycling is a recycling activity that aims to reduce the number of batteries being disposed as municipal solid waste. Batteries contain a number of heavy metals and toxic chemicals and their dumping has raised concerns over soil contamination and water pollution. Most batteries can be recycled and we see that nearly 90% of all lead acid automotive batteries are recycled. Unfortunately, it is much less so for Lithium-ion batteries with just 5% being recycled globally (2021), most likely due to their size, hundreds of complicated of components, and hazardous materials. However, Lithium-ion batteries contain valuable materials which can be recovered during the recycling process, such as copper and aluminiumin in addition to cobalt and nickel as well as other rare earths.

Battery swapping

Battery swapping is a process where a discharged battery or battery pack can be immediately swapped for a fully charged one, eliminating the delay involved in waiting for the vehicle's battery to charge. This can be done at battery swapping (or switching) stations. 

Beams

Beams are used to construct the supporting elements of buildings and bridges. These structural steel products come in various shapes.

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