Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

capacités

English translation:

vessels

Added to glossary by Tony M
Mar 9, 2009 15:55
15 yrs ago
10 viewers *
French term

capacités

French to English Tech/Engineering Petroleum Eng/Sci major shutdown for maintenace work
This large document is all about procedures (HSE and other) for handling the very complex process of shutting down a petro-chemical plant (the document is a general one, so might apply to all sorts of different types of plant).

The word 'capacités' recurs frequenrtly in this rather odd usage; here is one example, I'll try and post a few others as I come accross them:

"isolement du point d’intervention par les platines déjà posées dans le cadre des isolements pour les TRAVAUX EN CAPACITÉS, en s’assurant que la platine commune à plusieurs travaux est identifiée sur le terrain et est gérée"

It is clear empirically from the context that this refers to some kind of container (in a conceptual sense) — not to 'capacity' in the classic sense of 'how much it holds', but rather in the sense of 'something that contains something' — and please note this is quite specifically differentiated from working in 'confined spaces'; clearly, some of these 'capacités' are mighty big! They are indeed 'enclosed spaces', but I am reluctant to employ that term, which seems to be slightly skewed from the meaning here —i.e., it refers to 'the space that is enclosed', rather than 'the object that encloses space'

I am also reluctant to use 'container', though that is the only suitably generic term that springs to mind; would anyone have a better idea of the specific term that is used in the p/c industry, please?
Proposed translations (English)
4 +4 tanks
2 inside-unit work

Discussion

Tony M (asker) Mar 12, 2009:
Another occurrence... "La purge et le rinçage des capacités instruments (pot d’alarme de niveau, vannes, transmetteur et régulateur de niveau à tube de torsion, stand-pipe) ayant contenu des hydrocarbures liquides ou des produits CMR sont à réaliser avant le départ en atelier"

I think it is again clear we are indeed talking about some kind of 'container', but a the conceptual sense — given that they then go on to list various types, I don't really think 'tank' could be used here, as kindly suggested by Guy
Tony M (asker) Mar 9, 2009:
more examples... Here's another example of it in use:

"mise en dépression de la capacité pompée"

(I think this makes it clear we are talking about some kind of container)
Tony M (asker) Mar 9, 2009:
... No, Susan, it is made abundantly clear from all of the wider context (no room to post 200 pages here!) that it definitely means work within or inside 'something' — and all of this stuff is pretty large-scale anyway!
Susan Gastaldi Mar 9, 2009:
Hi Tony Why do you think this might refer to some kind of container? Might it not be just "large-scale work"?

Proposed translations

+4
10 mins
Selected

tanks

I usuallly translate it as tanks: it appears to be a common usage in the business.

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Note added at 3 days5 hrs (2009-03-12 21:54:21 GMT)
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Bourth suggested "vessel", which could be very useful. I think that in the case of the "capacités instruments (pot d’alarme ..." above you might have to go to something like "portions/components of instruments having contained hydrocartbons...".

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Note added at 3 days23 hrs (2009-03-13 14:59:39 GMT)
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And how about "spaces"?
Guy
Peer comment(s):

agree Bourth (X) : Indeed, common usage. Vessel possibly, but tank will cover things as large as gasometers at least.
4 mins
Sure, vessel could also serve in many cases.
agree Mary Carroll Richer LaFlèche
31 mins
agree B D Finch
7 hrs
agree David Goward
2 days 21 hrs
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1 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks a lot, Guy and comme especially Bourth! Although 'tanks' would work in certain places, it's clear that in most instances, a more generic term is needed, so I've gone with vessels "
1 hr

inside-unit work

Hello,

Could this be it?

working inside tanks, units, etc

I hope this helps.

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Note added at 1 hr (2009-03-09 17:52:09 GMT)
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A mechanic uses it in his CV below:

EXPERIENCES PROFESSIONNELLES

Depuis avril 2007 en CDI au seins du groupe ORTEC à ORYS TRICASTIN 26700 Pierrelatte

SECTEUR EDF NUCLEAIRE (Tricastin, Cruas, Bugey, Creys-malville, Marcoule)

-Robinetier (vannes, clapets, servomoteurs, actionneurs)
-Travail en capacités (générateurs de vapeur, échangeurs)
-Mécanique industriel (machines tournantes, filtres)

2004/2006 Groupe SNEF service 04 industrie (26700 Pierrelatte)

-Bureau d’étude
-Câblages d’armoires électriques
-Réalisations et dépannages de cartes électroniques
-Maintenance corrective de servomoteurs
-Divers chantiers (Isover St GOBAIN, FBFC ROMANS, TSCT….)

http://www.electrotechniciens.enligne-fr.com/mini_cv.php?cod...
Note from asker:
Thanks, Matt! There are a few places where I certainly could use this, but unfortunately many more where it is the actual noun for the object I need.
Something went wrong...
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