Table of Contents

1. Scope
2. Deviations from the SI Units
3. Base Units
4. Multiples of SI Units
5. Table of Quantities and Units
6. Conversion Units

Attachments:

Attachment I: Deviations from the SI-Units-2-sheets

Attachment II: Table of Conversion Factors-5-sheets

1. Scope


1.1 This design guide shall be used to establish the units of measurement which are to be used for standard forms, standard specifications, etc.

The internationally accepted SI units (Système International des Unitées) are selected to be used following the recommendations as given in British Standard PD 5886.

1.2 For each job the Engineering Design Basis which forms part of the Project Procedure Manual shall refer to this Engineering Design Guide and shall contain possible additional Client’s requirements.

1.3 Calculations, which require input from textbooks in non SI units, may be performed in other units (imperial, old metric etc.) provided that end results are converted to SI units using the conversion factors given in this Design Guide.

2. Deviations from the SI Units

For practical reasons some deviations from the SI units and BS-PD5686 have been applied. See attachment I.

3. Base Units

The seven base SI units are:

Quantity

Name of Base Unit

Symbol

length

metre

m

mass

kilogram

kg

time

second

s

electric current

ampère

A

thermodynamic temperature

kelvin

K

luminous intensity

candela

cd

amount of substance

mole

mol

For the definitions of the base units see PD 5686-A.7.

4. Multiples of SI Units

It is recommended that the rule for prefixes, whereby only powers of 10 which are divisible by three are used, is followed wherever possible (an exception is the bar which is 105Pa).

Factor by which the unit is multiplied

Prefix

Symbol

 

1012

tera

T

1)

109

giga

G

1)

106

mega

M

 

103

kilo

k

 

102

hecto

h

1)

10

deca

da

1)

10-1

deci

d

 

10-2

centi

c

 

10-3

milli

m

 

10-6

micro

µ

 

10-9

nano

n

2)

10-12

pico

p

2)


1) The use of these prefixes is to be avoived.
2) These perfixes shall only be used for the electrical discipline. When using these multiples, the following rules shall be observed:

a. For derived SI units, use only one perfix, i.e. use MJ/m3 not mJ/(mm)
b. Attach the prefix to the unit in the numerator, i.e., kg/m not g/mm
c. Do not use compound prefixes, i.e. use MJ not kkJ

5. Table of Quantities and Units

Following table summaries the quantities, the corresponding units to be used by Company, and the recommended multiplies of units.

Quantity

Unit to be used

Selection of multiples

Remarks

Plane angle

º (degree) *

 

* See att. I . pt 5

 

‘ (minute) *

   
 

‘’ (second) *

   

Length

 

km

 
 

m (metre)

   
 

‘’ (inch) *

   
   

mm

See att. I . pt 1

Area

m2

km2

 
   

cm2 *

* to be avoided where

   

mm2

possible

Volume

m3

   
   

1 (litre)=dm3

 
   

cm3 or ml

 
   

mm3

 

Time

s (second)

ms

* See att. I . pt 3

 

yr (year) or

µs

 
 

a (annum) *

   
 

d (day) *

   
 

h (hour) *

   
 

min (minute) *

   

Rotational

rpm

 

See att. I . pt 6

frequency

(revolutions

   
 

per minute)

   

Mass

kg (kilogram)

t (tonne) *

* See att. I . pt 2

   

g

 
   

mg

 

Density
(mass density)

kg/m3

 

For gases and vapours specify MW (molecular weight)

 

Quantity

Unit to be used

Selection of multiples

Remarks

(mass) Moment of inertia

kg.m2

   

Force

N(newton)=kg.m/sec2

   

Moment of force (torque)

N.m

   

Pressure

bar=105N/m2

mbar

See att. I . pt 7

 

bar(a)

mbar(a)

 
 

bar(g)

   
 

Pa (pascal)=N/m2

   

Stress

N/mm2

   

Viscosity (dynamic)

Pa.s *

mPa.s = cPoise

* Use mPa.s only

Viscosity (kinematic)

m2/s *

mm2/s = cStokes

* Use mm2/s only

Surface tension

N/m

mN/m

 

Energy (work)

 

MJ

 

heat quantity

 

kJ

 
 

J (joule) = Nm

   
   

kW.h *

* See att. I . pt 8

Power, heat

 

MW

For use of VA and

flow rate

 

kW

kvar see att. I . pt 9

 

W (watt) = N.m/sec

   
   

mW

 

Thermodynamic temperature

  K(kelvin)

See att. I . pt 4

 

Quantity

Unit to be used

Selection of multiples

Remarks

Temperature

ºC (degree Celsius)

 

See att.I pt 4

Linear expansion coefficient

K-1 or ºC-1

   

Thermal conductivity

W/(m. ºC)

   

Coefficient of heat transfer

W/(m. ºC)

   

Specific heat

J/(kg. ºC)

kJ/(kg. ºC)

 

Entropy

J/(kg. K)

kJ/(kg. K)

See att.I pt 14

Enthalpy

J/kg

kJ/kg

See att.I pt 15

Electric current

A (ampère)

kA
mA

 

Electric charge, quantity of electricity

C (coulomb)

kC

 

Voltage, potential difference, electromotive force

V(volt)

kV

mV

 

Electric field strenth

V/m

kV/mm

 

 

Quantity

Unit to be used

Selection of multiples

Remarks

Capacitance

F (farad)

µF
nF
pF

 

Magnetic flux density, magnetic induction

T (tesla)

mT

µT

 

Magnetic flux

Wb (weber)

mWb

 

Self inductance, mutual inductance

H (henry)

mH
µH

 

Resistance

O (ohm)

MO
kO

 

Conductance

S (siemens)

µS

 

Conductivity

S/m

MS/m

kS/m

 

Wavelength

m

   

Luminous intensity

cd (candela)

   

Luminous flux

lm (lumen)

   

Illuminance

lx (lux)

   

Luminous efficacy

lm/W

   

 

Quantity

Unit to be used

Selection of multiples

Remarks

Frequency

Hz (herz)

Mhz
kHz

 

Sound intensity

W/m2

   

Sound pressure level

dB (decibel)

B (bel)

Ref. value 2.10-5N/m2 See att.I pt 12 & 13

Sound power level

dB

B

Ref. value 10-12WSee att.I pt 12 & 13

Sound intensity level

dB

B

Ref. value 10-12W/m2 See att.I pt 12 & 13

Mass flow rate

kg/h

t/h

 

Volume flow rate (gas or liquid)

Ditto (gas)

m3/h

Nm3/h *

l/s

* See att.I pt 10

Velocity

m/s

   

Acceleration

m/s2

   

Corrosion rate

mm/yr
mpy(mils per year)

 

See att.I pt 3 and pt 1

Concentration

mg/kg
or
mg/l
or
m /l

 

When PPM is used, indicate whether it is based on volume or weight (PPMv, PPMwt)

 

Quantity

Unit to be used

Selection of multiples

Remarks

Humidity / moisure content

g/kg

 

For atmospheric condition RH% can be used (based upon saturation at specified temperature)

Notch impact value

J

 

Related to a keyhole specimen, which is to be specified

Spring constant

N/mm

   

Taper

1:...

 

Dimensionless ratio of unit diameter change per length.

Slope

mm/m

   

Amount of substance

mol (mole)

kmol

1 mol=kg mole

Molar mass

g/mol

kg/mol

g/mol=MW

Molar volume

m3/mol

l/mol

 

Molar internal energy

J/mol

kJ/mol

 

Molar heat capacity

J/(mol.K)

   

Molar entropy

J/(mol.K)

   

Concentration

mol/m3

kmol/m3 or mol/dm3

 

 

6. Conversion Units

The table in attachment summarizes the conversion factors which are to be used exclusively by Company personnel.

Attachment I
Deviations from the SI Units

1. Length The inch will be used for pipe sizes only.

2. Mass

The name tonne (t) is used instead of megagram (Mg).

3. Time

The minute, hour, day, month, year are still used instead of decimal multiples of the second. For times smaller than one second the SI system is follows.

4. Temperature

The unit for customary or operational temperature is the ºC. The use of K is confined to the use of temperatures involved in calculations based upon absolute zero.

Temperature below 0ºC will be indicated as -xºC and not in K.

5. Plane Angle

The division of the circle into 360º is still used.

Radians shall only be used in special calculations as required.

6. Rotational Frequency

For indication of the rotational frequency of rotating equipment the rpm (revolution per minute) is continued to be used.

7. Pressure and Vacuum

Gauge pressure is expressed in bar (g) (bar gauge).
Absolute pressure is expressed in bar(a) - (bar absolute), mbar(a) - (millibar abs).
Differential pressure is expressed in bar.
Vacuum:
- Specify absolute pressure where possible
- For pressures slightly under atmospheric pressure
(e.g. tanks during pump out) use - mbar (minus millibar)
The use of the expression Full Vacuum (FV) which equals 0 mbar (a) is continued for indication as design requirement.
The Pascal is to be used in the acoustic field only.
Examples
a. Compound pressure/vacuum range of instrument is -1-0-10 bar(a)
b. Design pressure of vessel is 16 bar(g)/FV
c. Operation pressure of rotating filter is 200 mbar(a).

8. The unit kWh may be used in consumption of electrical energy

9. In electric power technology ‘’apparent power’’ is expressed in volt-ampere (VA) or kVA and ‘’reactive power’’ is expressed in kVAR

10.The normal cubic metre (Nm3) will still be used.

As there is no universally accepted definition, the reference pressure and temperature shall always be spelled out when the Nm3 is used.

For Company the reference shall always be:

1013.25 mbar(a) and 0ºC.

11. The unit mpy (mils per year) may be used, but should be avoided as much possible.

12. The dB is also used in other fields, e.g. telecommunications and line transmission.
In these cases other reference values are applicable, which are to be specified.

13. The reference values specified in this design guide are valid for acoustics only.

14. According ISO 1000-1973 (E) this is called ‘’specific entropy’’.

15. According ISO 1000-1973 (E) this is called ‘’specific energy’’.

 

Attachment II

Table of Conversion Factors

 

A:

1 Å

=

1 angström = 10-10m

 

1 acre

=

4 rood » 4.04686 x 103 m2

 

1 Aint

=

1 international ampère=1 Vint/W int

     

0.99985 A

 

1 ° API

=

1 degree American Petroleum Institute

 

1 at

=

1 technical atmosphere=1 kgf/cm2=0.980665 bar

 

1 atm

=

1 physical atmosphere=1.01325 bar

B:

1 bar

=

105 Pa

 

0 bar(g)

=

1.01325 bar(a) (Company std.)

 

bbl

=

barrell

     

1 dry bbl(US)=7056 in3=0.115627 m3

     

1 oil bbl(US)=42 US gal=0.158987 m3

     

1 oil bbl/d=6.62447 x 10-3 m3/h

 

1 ° Bé

=

1 degree Baumé 2)

 

Btu

=

British thermal unit

     

1 Btu=1 kcal.lb.°F/(kg.K)=1.05506 x 103 J

     

1 Btu.in/(ft2.h. °F)=0.144228 W/(m.°C)

     

1 Btu/(ft.h. °F)=1.73073 W/(m.°C)

     

1 Btu/ ft2=11.3565 x 103 J/m2

     

1 Btu.in/(ft2.h. °F)=5.67826 W/(m2.°C)

     

1 Btu/ft3=37.2589 x 103 J/m3

     

1 Btu/h=0.293071 W

     

1 Btu/lb=2.326 x 103 J/kg

     

1 Btu/(lb.°F)=4.1868 x 103 J/(kg.°C)

     

1 Btu/(ft3.°F)=67.0661 x 103 J/(m3.°C)

C:

1 cal

=

1 calorie=4.1868J

 

1 cc

=

1 cm3=10-6m3

 

1 centigrade(UK, US)=1 °C

 

1 CHU

=

1 Chu=1 centigrade heat unit=1.89910 x 103J

 

1 cps

=

1 cycle per second= 1 Hz

 

1 cSt

=

1 centistokes=0.01 St=10-6 m2/s

 

cu

=

cubic, see main word

 

 

1 CV

=

1 cheval vapeur=1 hp=735.499 W

 

cwt

=

hundredweight

     

1 UKcwt=112 lb=50.8023 kg

     

1 UScwt=100 lb=45.3592kg

D:

1 deg F

=

1 deg R=1 °F=5/9 K=5/9°C

 

1 dyn

=

1 dyne=1 g.cm/s2=10-5N

     

1 dyn/cm2=0.1 Pa=10-6 bar

       

E:

1 erg

=

1 dyn.cm=10-7J

 

1 Erg

=

107erg=1J

F:

°F

=

degree Fahrenheit

     

differential temperature: 1 °F=5/9°C=5/9°K

     

temperature level:

     

x°F=5/9(x-32) °C@ 5/9(x+764.82)°K

 

1 faraday

=

96.4846 x 103C

 

1 fath

=

1 fathom=6 ft=1.8288m

 

1 fbm

=

1 board foot=1 ft2.in=2.35974 x 10-3m3

 

1 ft

=

1 foot=(1/3)yd=0.3048m

 

1 ft.lbf

=

1.35582 N.m

 

1 ft.lbf/h

=

0.376616 x 10-3W

 

1 ft.lbf/lb

=

2.98907J/kg

 

1 ft.pdl

=

42.1401 x 10-3N.m

 

1 ft/h

=

84.6667 m/s

 

1 ft/min

=

5.08 x 10-3m/s

 

1 ft2

=

92.90304 x 10-3m2

 

1 ft3

=

28.3168 x 10-3m3

 

1 ft3/h

=

28.3168 x 10-3m3/h

 

1 ft3/lb

=

62.4280 x 10-3m3/kg

 

1 ft3/min

=

1.6990 m3/h

 

1 ft H2O

=

29.8907 mbar

 

G:

gal

=

gallon

     

1 UKgal=4.54609 x 10-3m3

     

1 UKgal/d=189.4205 x 10-6 m3/h

     

1 UKgal/h=4.5460 x 10-3m3/h

     

1 UKgal/lb=10.0224 x 10-3 m3/h

     

1 UKgal/min=0.2727m3/h

     

1 USgal=3.78541 x 10-3m3

     

1 USgal/d=0.1577 x 10-3m3/h

     

1 USgal/h=3.7854 x 10-3m3/h

     

1 USgal/lb=8.34541 x 10-3m3/kg

     

1 Usgal/min=0.2271 m3/h

 

1 gcal

=

1 gramcalorie=1cal

 

1 gf

=

1 gramforce=9.80665 x 10-3N

 

1 gr

=

1 grain=64.79891 x 10-6kg

     

1 gr/ft3=2.28835 x 10-3kg/m3

     

1 gr/UKgal=14.2538 x 10-3kg/m3

     

1 gr/USgal=17.1181 x 10-3kg/m3

H:

1 ha

=

1 hectare=100 a=104m2

 

1 hl

=

1 hectoliter=0.1 m3

 

1 hp

=

1 horsepower=550 ft.lbf/s=745.7 W

 

1 hph

=

1 horsepower hour=2.68452 x 106J

 

1 metric hp

=

1 pk=735.499 W

       

I:

imp

=

imperial=UK, see main word

 

in

=

inch

     

1 in=25.4 x 10-3m 4)

     

1 in2=0.64516 x 10-3m2

     

1 in2/h=0.6452 x 10-3m2/h

     

1 in3=16.3871 x 10-6m3

     

1 in3/lb=36.1273 x 10-6m2/kg

     

1 inH2O=2.49089 mbar

     

1 in.Hg=33.8639 mbar

J:

1 Jint

=

1 Vint2.s/W int=1.00019 J

 

K:

1 kcal

=

1 kilocalorie=4.1868 x 103J

     

1 kcal/h=1.163 W

     

1 kcal/min=69.78 W

 

1 kgf

=

1 kgf=1 kp=9.80665 N

     

1 kgf.h/m2=35.3039 x 103 Pa.s

     

1 kgf/cm2=0.980665 bar

     

1 kgf/mm2=98.0665 bar=9.80665 N/mm2

 

1 kp

=

1 kilopond=1 kgf=9.80665 N

 

1 kWh

=

1 kilowatt hour=3.6 x 106 J

L:

lb

=

pound

     

1 lb=0.45359237 kg

     

1 lb.ft/s=0.138255 kg.m/s

     

1 lb.ft2=42.1401 x 10-3kg.m2

     

1 lb.in=292.640 x 10-6kg.m2

     

1 lb/acre=0.112085 x 10-3kg.m2

     

1 lb/ft=1.48816 kg/m

     

1 lb/ft2=4.88243 kg/m2

     

1 lb/UKgal=99.7763 kg/m3

     

1 lb/USgal=119.826 kg/m3

     

1 lb/h=0.4536 kg/h

     

1 lb/in=17.8580 kg/m

     

1 lb/in3=27.6799 x 103 kg/m3

     

1 lbf=1 poundforce=4.44822 N

     

1 lbf.ft=1.35582 N.m

     

1 lbf.ft/in=53.3787 N

     

1 lbf.h/ft2=172.369 x 103 Pa.s

     

1 lbf.in=0.112985 N.m

     

1 lbf/ft2=0.478803 mbar

     

1 lbf/in2=68.9476 mbar

     

1 lbf/ft3=16.0185 kg/m3

M:

1 mh4O

=

98.0665 mbar

 

1 mil

=

1 milli-inch=25.4 x 10-6m

     

1 circular mil=(P /4)mil2=0.506707x10-9 m2

 

mi

=

mile

     

1 (statute) mile=1.609344 x 103m

     

1 UK nautical mile (knot)=1853.184 m

 

 

1 mmHg

) =

1 mm mercury=1.33322 mbar
 

1 mmQS (G)

) =

 

1 mwk

) =

1 mh4O=98.0665 mbar
 

1 mWS (G)

) =

O:

oz

=

ounce

     

1 oz=(1/16)lb=28.3495 x 10-3kg

     

1 oz/ft2=0.305152 kg/m2

     

1 oz/UKgal=6.23602 kg/m3

     

1 oz/USgal=7.48915 kg/m3

     

1 oz/in3=1.72999 x 103kg/m3

P:

1 p

=

1 Poise=1 dyn.s/cm2=0.1 Pa.s

 

1 pole

=

1 rod=5.0292 m

 

1 ppb

=

1 part per billion=10-9

 

1 ppm

=

1 part per million=10-6

 

1 psi

=

1 pound per square inch=0.0689476 bar

R:

1 r

=

1 rev=1 revolution=360°

 

1 ° R

=

1 degree Rankine=(5/9)K=0.555556 K

 

1 ° R

=

1 degree Réamur

     

differential temperature: 1 ° R=0.8° C=0.8K

     

temperature level: x ° R=0.8 x ° C=(0.8x+273.15)K

 

S:

1 St

=

1 stokes=1 cm2/s=10-4m2/s=100 mm2/s

T:

1 t

=

1 ton=1000 kg, see ton

 

ton

=

1 t=1 (metric) ton-1 tonne(UK, US)=103kg

     

1 UKton=1 long(or ‘gros’) ton=1016.05 kg

     

1 USton = 1 short(or’’nett’’) ton=2000 lb=907.185 kg

 

1 tf

=

1 tonforce=9.80665 x 103N

 

1 UKtonf

=

1 UKton=9.96402 x 103N

 

1 UStonf

=

1 USton=8.89644 x 103N

 

1 (standard) (comercial) ton of refrigeration=3.51685 x 103 W

 

1 registerton

=

2.83286 m3

 

1 Torr

=

1 torr=133.322 Pa

W:

1 Wh

=

3.6 x 103J

Y:

1 yd

=

1 yard=0.9144 m

       

Z:

Zoll(G)

=

in, see inch

 


Abbreviations

G = Germany
F = France
UK = Great Britain
US = United States
D = Dutch