Glossary
V
The gaseous phase of liquids or solids at atmospheric temperature and pressure.
The vapor density is expressed in grams per liter (g/L) and is compared to the density of air (air=1).
The pressure, often expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or pounds per square inch (PSI), that is characteristic at any given temperature of a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid form.
Mechanical systems that collect and recover chemical vapors resulting from transfer of gasoline from operations such as tank-to-truck systems at refineries, tanker-to-pipeline systems at offshore oil operations and pump-to-vehicle systems at gasoline stations. For more information, visit our vapor recovery website.
Permission granted for a limited time (under stated conditions) for a person or company to operate outside the limits prescribed in a regulation.
The miles traveled by motor vehicles over a specified length of time (e.g., daily, monthly or yearly) or over a specified road or transportation corridor.
A way to reduce emissions of NOx, SOx, diesel PM and CO2 from oceangoing vessels. Emissions are decreased when vessels slow their speeds, thereby reducing the energy requirements of the main engine. The Ports of Los Angeles (POLA), Long Beach (POLB), and San Diego (POSD) currently have a voluntary VSR program in place which requests that vessels slow to 12 knots from certain distances from port (20 nautical miles (nm) for POSD and 20 or 40 nm for POLA and POLB). Ports typically offer incentives for complying.
The degree to which a fluid resists flow under an applied force.
A measurement of the ability to see and identify objects at different distances. Visibility reduction from air pollution is often due to the presence of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, as well as particulate matter.
Any particles in the atmosphere that obstruct the range of visibility.