P&ID stands for Piping and Instrumentation Diagram or Drawing.

Alternatively, it could also be called Process and Instrumentation Diagram or simply P&I diagram or drawing. P&IDs are also known as Engineering Flow Diagrams or ec!anical Flow Diagrams .P&IDs are often used in t!e process industry to s!ow t!e process flow and ot!er installed e"uipment and instruments. #!ey s!ow t!e interconnection of process e"uipment and t!e instrumentation used to control t!e process. #!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams play a crucial role in t!e design and engineering of process plants and piping systems. P&IDs are sc!ematic diagrams t!at contain engineering and design details of t!e process plants. It is a pictorial representation of' (ey Piping and Instrument Details )ontrol and *!utdown *c!emes *afety and regulatory re"uirements and +asic *tart,up and -perational Information A P&ID is a working document t!at is used by every discipline involved in t!e design, engineering and construction of process plants. It is used as a Process Plant .ayout and Piping Design reference for c!ecking engineering and design documents and drawings associated wit! a pro/ect. )ontrol *ystem Documentation' Applying *ymbols and Identification' 0. P&IDs are also used in material take,off, in generating a 1+ill of aterials2 for procurement and construction. P&IDs typically contain t!e following information' 3. All t!e e"uipment and t!eir specifications, usually presented in t!e form of a table 4. All piping and line specifications 5. All piping system components suc! as fittings, flanges and valves wit! t!eir specifications 6. All instrumentation and control components 7. Flow directions 8. Information on process variables suc! as pressure and temperature. 9. aterial *pecifications :. *pecialty Items suc! as strainers. 0;. )ontrol Input and -utput, Interlocks and Alarm *ystem 00. Interconnections <eferences 03. )omputer )ontrol *ystem input 04. Identification of )omponents and *ubsystems Delivered #o and +y -t!ers P&IDs play very important roles in plant maintenance and modification in t!at t!ey demonstrate t!e p!ysical se"uence of e"uipment and system as well as !ow t!ey all connect. During t!e Design stage t!ey provide t!e basis for t!e development of system control sc!emes, allowing for furt!er safety and operational investigations like &A=-P $&a>ards and -perability *tudy%. #!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook I*A P&ID *ymbols' In t!e process industry, a standard set of symbols are used to prepare piping and instrumentation diagrams $P&IDs%. ost of t!e P&ID drawings you may come across !ave instrument symbols based on I*A standard *6.0 $I*A stands for Instrumentation *ystems and Automation *ociety%. .et us start by understanding t!e I*A standard symbols for developing P&ID drawings I*A *6.0 defines four general symbols for identifying instruments on a Piping and instrumentation diagram $P&ID%. #!ey are' $a% Discrete instruments $b% *!ared control?display $c% )omputer function $d% Programmable logic controllers #!ese distinct symbols used in P&IDs are grouped into t!ree location categories namely' $a% Primary location usually a central control room $b% Au@iliary location possibly a local panel in t!e field or process plant $c% Field mounted

#!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook -n P&ID drawings, individual instruments are indicated by circular symbols or circle. *!ared control?display elements are circles surrounded by a s"uare. )omputer functions are indicated by a !e@agon and programmable logic controller function are s!own as a diamond inside a s"uare Adding a single !ori>ontal bar across any of t!e four grap!ical elements indicates t!e function resides in t!e primary location category. A double line indicates an au@iliary location, and no line places t!e device or instrument in t!e field. Devices located be!ind a panel,board in some ot!er inaccessible location are s!own wit! a das!ed line. )ontrol *ystem Documentation' Applying *ymbols and Identification' #!e table below gives a brief description of t!e four general P&ID symbols used in instrumentation diagrams.

*ee common P&ID symbols used in developing instrumentation diagrams for details on t!e various symbols used in P&ID drawings .etter and number combinations appear inside eac! grap!ical element and letter combinations are defined by t!e I*A standard. Aumbers are user assigned and sc!emes vary. w!ile some companies use se"uential numbering, ot!ers tie t!e instrument number to t!e process line number, and still ot!ers adopt uni"ue and sometimes unusual numbering systems. #!e first letter defines t!e measured or initiating variables suc! as Analysis $A%, Flow $F%, #emperature $#%, etc. wit! succeeding letters defining readout, passive, or output functions suc! as Indicator $I%, <ecorder $<%, #ransmitter $#%, and so fort! #!e table below gives a breakdown of t!e various letters used in Piping and instrumentation diagrams $P&IDs% and t!eir functions'

#o understand better !ow various letter combinations are used in constructing instrument letter abbreviations found on Piping and instrumentation diagram symbols in P&ID drawings, c!eck out' .et us consider some P&IDs in order to learn !ow to read and interpret t!em. P&ID Drawing 1'

As s!own in t!e P&ID, F# 6;0 is a field mounted flow transmitter connected via electrical signals $dotted lines% to a flow indicator and controller, FI) 6;0 located in t!e control room. Please note t!at a s"uare root e@traction of t!e input signal is applied as part of t!e functionality of FI) 6;0. #!is is because flow is proportional to t!e s"uare root of t!e differential pressure being measured by t!e flow transmitter. #o make flow proportional to differential pressure, t!e s"uare root !as to be e@tracted. )ontrol *ystem Documentation' Applying *ymbols and Identification' #!e output of FI) 6;0 is an electrical signal to #B 6;0 $an I?P converter% mounted in t!e field. #!e output of #B 6;0 is a pneumatic signal w!ic! acts on t!e control valve connected to it. ## 6;0 and #I) 6;0 are respectively temperature transmitter and temperature indicator and controller measuring, indicating and controlling temperature. #!e output of #I) 6;0 is connected t!roug! an internal software or data link $lines wit! bubbles% to t!e set point of FI) 6;0 ,,C #!e BI) 6;0 arrangement is typical of most on?off valves. &ere, t!e BI) is an on?off valve being controlled by a solenoid valve and is fitted wit! limit switc!es =*& and =*.. =*& indicates t!at t!e valve is open w!ile =*. indicates t!at t!e valve is in closed position or closed. All inputs and outputs are wired to a P.) t!atDs accessible to t!e operator $diamond in a s"uare wit! a solid !ori>ontal line%. #!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook P&ID Drawing 2'

Firstly let us get an idea of t!e simple process' #!e above loop controls t!e temperature of a process fluid $green lines% by passing t!e fluid and t!e cooling medium water into a !eat e@c!anger. #!e process fluid passes t!roug! t!e tube of t!e e@c!anger w!ile water passes t!roug! t!e s!ell.

In t!e P&ID, #E is a field mounted temperature sensor located inside a #!ermowell $#E%. #!e signal from t!e sensor is transmitted via a field mounted temperature transmitter ##0;0 to a temperature indicator and controller #I) 0;0 located in t!e control room by electrical signals $s!own by dotted lines%. +ased on t!e set point in #I) 0;0, #I) 0;0 t!en sends an electrical signal to #B 0;0 located in t!e field or plant. #B 0;0 is an I?P $I to P% converter i.e current to pneumatic signal converter. #!is is because #B 0;0 receives an electrical signal from #I) 0;0 and t!en converts it to a pneumatic signal w!ic! t!en acts on t!e control valve s!own in t!e P&ID above. #!e control valve t!en opens or closes to increase or decrease water flow into t!e !eater e@c!anger. ,,C #!e key to understanding Piping and instrumentation diagrams $P&IDs% is to familiari>e yourself wit! t!e I*A P&ID symbols for most process plant instruments and e"uipment and t!en try to read as many Piping and instrumentation diagrams $P&IDs% you can lay your !ands on. In no distant time, you will be ama>ed at !ow well you will be able to read and interpret Piping and instrumentation diagrams $P&IDs%. If you are still confused about t!e P&ID above, please go back and read' In continuation of our lessons on !ow to read and interpret P&IDs, let us look at t!e piping and instrumentation diagram below'

#!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook At first t!is P&ID looks complicated, but on closer e@amination, it is actually a simple P&ID. For easier understanding t!e P&ID is broken into' $a% Sensors/Measuring or Sensing elements' #E ;4 is a field mounted t!ermocouple t!at senses t!e c!ange in t!e outlet temperature of t!e process li"uid and converts t!e c!ange in temperature to a milivolt signal. #!e milivolt signal$electric% t!en goes to ## ;4, a temperature transmitter, w!ic! t!en converts t!e milivolt signal to a standard 5,3;mA signal for transmission to #I) ;4 .# ;0 is a level transmitter w!ic! senses and measures c!anges in t!e level of t!e process li"uid in t!e vessel$e@c!anger%. #!e level measurement is converted into a standard 5,3;mA signal for transmission to .I) ;0 )ontrol *ystem Documentation' Applying *ymbols and Identification' P# ;3 is a pressure transmitter t!at measures t!e process pressure in t!e vessel. #!is measurement is t!en converted into a 5,3;mA signal for transmission to PI) ;3 $b% Controllers/Controlling Elements' ,,C Also in t!e above P&ID are devices we call controllers. #!ey receive t!e standard signals from t!e transmitters?sensing elements $## ;0, P# ;3 and $.# ;0%

#I) ;4 is a control room mounted, #emperature Indicator and )ontroller. It receives t!e 5,3;mA signal from ## ;4 and compares it to a preset temperature set point and t!en initiates a control action by sending a corresponding electric signal to #)F ;4 via #B ;4 Auto)AD P&ID 3;05 #utorial .I) ;0 is a control room mounted .evel Indicator and )ontroller. It receives a 5,3;mA from .# ;0 and compares it to a preset level set point wit!in t!e controller. +ased on t!is comparison, .I) ;0 initiates a control action and sends a corresponding signal to t!e final control element .)F ;0 via .B .astly, PI) ;3 is a control room mounted, Pressure Indicator and )ontroller. It gets a 5,3;mA signal from P# ;3, compares it to a preset pressure set point and initiates a control action by sending a corresponding signal to final control element P)F ;3 via PB #!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook $c% Final Control Elements' #)F ;4, is a field mounted #emperature )ontrol Falve w!ic! receives its control signal from #I) ;4 $located in t!e control room% to eit!er open or close to drain condensate in order to control t!e temperature of t!e process li"uid ,,C -n #)F ;4 is #B ;4. #B ;4 is an I?P converter w!ic! converts t!e electric signal it receives from #I) ;4 to a pneumatic signal. *imilarly, .)F ;0 $a level control valve% and P)F ;3 $pressure control valve% get signals from .I) ;0 and PI) ;3 to eit!er open or close, t!ereby controlling level and pressure respectively. #B ;4, .B ;0 and PB ;3 are called transducers. #!ey convert electrical signals to pneumatic signals. &aving understood t!e P&ID above, it is important to note t!at' #!ere are t!ree control loops in t!e P&ID namely temperature control $#E ;4,## ;4, #I) ;4 G#)F ;4%, level control $.# ;0,.I) ;0,.)F ;0% and pressure control $P# ;3,PI) ;3,P)F ;3% #!e ne@t time you see a P&ID, donDt get scaredH #!e comple@ity of t!e P&ID is not important rat!er w!at is important is t!e individual control loops t!at make up t!e P&ID. Inderstand t!e P&ID, you understand t!e processH #!e primary functions of instruments and control components are monitoring, display, recording and control of process variables. Instrument and control symbols consist of an instrument bubble or circle wit! t!e instrument abbreviation lettered inside t!e bubble. #!e abbreviation completely describes t!e function of t!e instrument?control component. Instruments?control elements can be grouped into different categories based on t!e process variable t!at t!e instrument or t!e control element is monitoring or controlling. #!e first letter in t!e instrument abbreviation indicates t!e process variable being monitored or controlled. #!e four common process variables are' Flow $F% .evel $J% Pressure $P% #emperature $#% Instruments can also be grouped according to t!e function t!ey perform. #!e second letter in t!e instrument abbreviation commonly indicates t!e instrument function alt!oug! sometimes it could be a readout or /ust a modifier of t!e first letter $usually t!e process variable%. Again, a t!ird letter could indicate eit!er a device function or a modifier. Bou can get more information on P&ID symbols and lettering system at t!e I*A Eeb site International *ociety for Automation Instrument Functions in P&IDs #!e common functions performed by instruments and control components are'

0% 3% 4% 5%

$a% Alarms (A)' Alarms are devices responsible for alerting plant operators about an upset condition of t!e process variable. Alarms typically consist of sound and lig!t outputs t!at attract t!e attention of t!e plant operators. -n P&IDs, t!e alarm function is used to modify basic process variables suc! as pressure, temperature, level and flow ,,C $b% Controllers (C)' A controller is a device t!at receives data from a measurement instrument, compares t!at data to a programmed set point, and, if necessary, signals a control element to take corrective action. )ontrollers are responsible for t!e control of t!e process variable. A typical controller receives input on t!e status of t!e process variable and compares t!e value wit! t!e 1set point2 and initiates t!e appropriate action. Actuators and control valves e@ecute t!e control action. As e@plained in instrument abbreviations used in P&ID, t!e controller function is denoted by t!e letter $)%. $c% Indicators (I)' An indicator is a !uman,readable device t!at displays information about t!e process. Indicators may be as simple as a pressure or temperature gauge or more comple@, suc! as a digital read,out device. *ome indicators simply display t!e measured variable, w!ile ot!ers !ave control buttons t!at enable operators to c!ange settings in t!e field. Indicators located at t!e process unit are also known as 1Jauges2. A .evel Jauge $.J% is an indicator used in t!e measurement of li"uid level in process vessels. Again on P&IDs, t!e indicator function modifies basic instrumentation variables suc! as .evel, flow, temperature and pressure $d% Sensors' *ensors are t!e first element in a process control loop. #!ey are often called t!e primary element. *ensors are devices t!at actually measure t!e value of t!e process variable. E@amples of sensors are t!ermocouples and orifice meters used in temperature and flow measurements respectively. #ransducers are used in converting t!e analog measurements into digital values. -n P&IDs, sensors are represented by different letter combinations for e@ample FE and #E represent a flow sensor$flow element% and a temperature sensor$temperature element% respectively $e% ecorders ( )' A recorder is a device t!at records t!e output of a measurement device. Different recorders display t!e data t!ey collect differently. *ome recorders list a set of readings and t!e times t!e readings were takenK ot!ers create a c!art or grap! of t!e readings. <ecorders t!at create c!arts or grap!s are called c!art recorders. #!eir information is very useful in monitoring plant performance and in "uality control of t!e products. -n P&IDs, t!e recorder function is denoted by t!e letter $<%. It signifies an instrument wit! a recording function ,,C $f% !ransmitters (!)' A transmitter is a device t!at converts a reading from a sensor or transducer into a standard signal and transmits t!at signal to a monitor or controller. #ransmitter types include' Pressure transmitters Flow transmitters #emperature transmitters .evel transmitters Analytic $-3 Lo@ygenM, )- Lcarbon mono@ideM, and p&% transmitters. #ransmitters are very common and popular in instrumentation system design. #!is is because, t!ere is often t!e need to transmit data from sensors in t!e field to a central control room for monitoring or control purposes. -n P&IDs, t!e transmitter function$#% modifies basic process variables suc! as pressure, temperature, level and flow. #ypically, on a P&ID, you mig!t !ave P#, ##, F# and .#. #!ese are all transmitters. P# is a pressure transmitterK ## is a temperature transmitterK F# is a flow transmitterK and .# is a level transmitter. I !ope you !ave learnt somet!ing useful on P&IDs from t!is post. Please continue to'Instrument Abbreviations used in instrumentation diagrams for more information.

0% 3% 4% 5% 6%

P&IDs play very important roles in plant maintenance and modification in t!at t!ey demonstrate t!e p!ysical se"uence of e"uipment and system as well as !ow t!ey all connect. During t!e Design stage t!ey provide t!e basis for t!e development of system control sc!emes, allowing for furt!er safety and operational investigations like &A=-P $&a>ards and -perability *tudy%. Piping on a piping and instrumentation diagram$P&ID% is indicated by' 0. Isage' For e@ample, process, drain, nitrogen, blow down, etc. 3. .ine Aumber' #!e identification number of t!e line on t!e plant. 4. *i>e' Isually in inc!es. 5. Piping )lass' #!e piping specification, bot! material and pressure rating 6. #!e insulation class #!e specification is usually given using American standards e.g. American *ociety of ec!anical Engineers $A* E% or American Petroleum Institute $API%. Eac! installation uses slig!tly different met!ods to do t!is but t!e end result is t!e same. A typical e@ample is given below'

3-P-12007-A11A-H30
&ere' 42 , *ignifies t!e line si>e in inc!es, i.e t!e line si>e !ere is 4 inc!es P , *ignifies fluid service 03;;8 G 03 !ere *ignifies unit or facility number w!ile ;;8 denotes t!e serial number A00A , denotes t!e piping service class & , denotes t!e insulation type 4; , denotes t!e insulation t!ickness If we furt!er break t!e piping service class A00A down, we see t!at' A , denotes t!e flange rating 00 , denotes t!e piping material A , a suffi@ "ualifying t!e piping material #!e designation !ere may be a little different from t!e ones you may come across but t!e basic components below will always be part of t!e piping designation in a piping and instrumentation diagram' Isage .ine number *i>e Piping class and Insulation class #!e symbols used in piping and Instrumentation diagrams or drawings are many and varied. I !ave dealt wit! some of t!ese symbols before but !ere I !ave given a compre!ensive list of t!e common P&ID symbols of process e"uipment suc! as valves, flowmeters, piping line connections, and muc! more. Jo t!roug! t!em and familiari>e your self wit! t!em. &owever t!ey are by no means e@!austive. Jetting to know t!ese common P&ID symbols used in developing instrumentation diagrams will ensure t!at eac! time you see a P&ID, no matter !ow complicated you s!ould be able to identify a symbol or two. ,,C

Also know t!at most piping and instrumentation diagrams will come wit! t!eir own library of symbols t!at may be different from t!e ones listed and pictured !ere. #!e first t!ing you s!ould do wit! any P&ID is to c!eck t!e legend section w!ere details of every symbol used on t!e piping and instrumentation diagram is listed to ensure t!at you are interpreting t!e rig!t e"uipment.

.ine #ype & )ontrol *ignals *ymbols Ised in P&IDs

Piping Connection Symbols Used in P&IDs

,,C

Instrument Short-Hand Symbols or Bubbles Used in P&IDs

Valves Symbols Used in P&IDs

Aote t!at t!e generic valve symbol is generally used to represent valves in a P&ID. &owever w!en we want to be specific as to t!e kind of valve in "uestion, t!e specific valve symbol is t!en used. ,,C

Valve ctuator !ypes Used in P&IDs"

Falve Failure

odes *ymbols Ised in P&IDs'

Flow *ensors *ymbols Ised in P&IDs'

Aote t!at FE is t!e general symbol for flow sensors in P&IDs. &owever w!en we are being specific, t!en any of t!e specific symbol for t!e particular flow sensor?meter can be used

Process #$uipment Symbols Used in P&IDs & P%Ds &Process %lo' Diagrams(

.ike I mentioned before every P&ID is uni"ue in its own way. ost of t!e symbols pictured !ere, you will see on most P&IDs. &owever, t!ere could be variations. Bou must always endeavor to c!eck t!e legend section of a particular P&ID for any process unit of a plant to get an idea of t!e library of symbols used to represent various process e"uipment. #!is way, t!ere will be no conflict between w!at you already know and w!at is being presented #ypically instrument abbreviations used in P&IDs consist of two letters' t!e first indicating t!e process variable and t!e second indicating t!e instrument?controller function. For e@ample, t!e instrument abbreviation 1PI2 denotes a 1Pressure Indicator2. -ccasionally, a t!ird letter is included in t!e instrument abbreviation to describe a simultaneous function or a special function. For e@ample' t!e abbreviation 1F<)2 represents a 1Flow <ecorder and )ontroller2 w!ic! describes bot! t!e recording and control functions and t!e abbreviation 1PA.2 denotes a 1Pressure Alarm .ow2 w!ic! describes an alarm used in t!e event of a low pressure condition. #o gain more proficiency in understanding P&IDs and Piping *ystem in Process Plants, please consult t!e following books for furt!er reading' Piping Design &andbook Piping *ystems anual #!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook Piping Engineering .eaders!ip for Process Plant Pro/ects ,,C

#!e table below contains some of t!e instrument abbreviations used in con/unction wit! P&ID symbols in instrumentation diagrams. I !ave dealt wit! some of t!em before but for t!e purpose of emp!asis and completeness let us go t!roug! again. #!e list !ere is by no means e@!austive but it is a good starting point for beginners to P&IDs'

Instrument A""re#iation F) .) FE .J FI) .A F< .A& F<) .A&& F# .A. FA .I .I) P) #) PI #I PI) #I)

E$%ansion Flow controller .evel controller Flow element .evel gauge Flow indicator and controller .evel alarm Flow recorder .evel alarm !ig! Flow recorder and controller .evel alarm !ig! !ig! Flow transmitter .evel alarm low Flow alarm .evel indicator .evel indicator and controller Pressure controller #emperature controller Pressure indicator #emperature indicator Pressure indicator and controller #emperature controller indicator and

Functions Per&ormed Flow measurement and control .evel control Flow sensor .evel measurement Indicating flow as well as controlling flow Indicating level alarm <ecording flow Indicating !ig! level Flow recordingK controlling flow Indicating very !ig! level #ransmitting flow signal Indicating low level Indicating flow alarm .evel indication Indicating levelK controlling level controlling pressure )ontrolling?regulating temperature Indicating pressure Indicating pressure Indicating pressureK controlling pressure

Indicating temperatureK controlling temperature

P< #< P<) #<) P*F ## P# #E <F #B P*& =I *DF =*) =**DB I*D

Pressure recorder #emperature recorder

<ecording pressure <ecording temperature

Pressure recorder and controller <ecording pressureK controlling pressure #emperature controller recorder and <ecording temperatureK controlling temperature <elieving e@cess pressure in case of !ig! pressure situation #ransmitting measured temperature signals #ransmitting measured pressure signals &ouses temperature sensors #o relieve e@cess pressure in case of !ig! pressure )onverts electrical signals to pneumatic signals A pressure switc! used to indicate !ig! pressure alarm Indicates w!et!er a valve is open or close A valve initiating s!utdown .imit switc! indicating a valve is closed .imit switc! indicating a valve is open A transducer attac!ed to a s!utdown valve Initiate *!ut down of a process unit

Pressure safety valve #emperature transmitter Pressure transmitter #!ermowell <elief valve #emperature relay?transducer Pressure switc! !ig! Position?limit indicator *!ut down valve Position?unit switc! closed Position?unit switc! open *!utdown relay Init s!utdown

+elow are some common P&ID symbols used wit! t!e instrument abbreviations discussed above for developing P&ID drawings

Tag Numbers on P&ID Symbols Aumbers on t!e P&ID symbols in instrumentation diagrams represent instrument tag numbers. -ften t!ese numbers are associated wit! a particular control loop $e.g., #emperature indicator and controller 034% as s!own in t!e diagram below'

-ne easy way to learn !ow to read P&ID drawings and become proficient in it is to look at a lot of Piping and instrumentation diagramsK bot! simple and comple@ onesH $please donDt get scared%. +y so doing, you will eventually become good at reading P&IDs. Any good instrumentation te@tbook s!ould contain one or two sections dedicated to understanding !ow to interpret and read P&ID drawings. &aving understood t!e importance of a process flow diagram$PFD% from' E!at is a Process Flow Diagram $PFD%N' #!e +asics, !ere is a compre!ensive list of t!e common symbols of process e"uipment used in preparing PFDs and P&IDs. I !ave dealt wit! some of t!ese symbols listed !ere before in )ommon P&ID *ymbols Ised in Developing Instrumentation Diagrams but !ere again is a compre!ensive list of basic and

speciali>ed symbols t!at you will find useful. After reading t!is post, to gain more proficiency in understanding P&IDs, Process e"uipment symbols and Piping *ystem in Process Plants, please consult t!e following books for furt!er reading'

Piping Design &andbook

Piping *ystems

anual

#!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook

Piping Engineering .eaders!ip for Process Plant Pro/ects

Piping and

iscellaneous *ymbols'

,,C

Falve *ymbols'

,,C

)entrifugal Pump *ymbols'

Positive Displacement Pumps *ymbols'

,,C

*torage Fessels *ymbols'

)entrifugal )ompressors *ymbols'

Positive Displacement )ompressors *ymbols'

In continuation of my piece on process e"uipment symbols used in developing process flow diagrams and P&IDs, below is an additional list of common symbols used. Bou may also consult t!e following books for furt!er reading'

Piping Design &andbook

Piping *ystems

anual

#!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook

Piping Engineering .eaders!ip for Process Plant Pro/ects

otors *ymbols in PFDs'

,,C

Heat Exchangers Symbols:

,,C

)ooling #owers *ymbols'

Furnaces and +oilers *ymbols'

,,C

Distillation #owers *ymbols'

<eactor *ymbols'

For more information on common symbols used for preparing P&IDs and Process flow diagrams $PFD%, c!eckout' Interpreting P&IDs can often be very c!allenging especially for beginners. In t!is piece, I s!all be elaborating on some commonly misunderstood terms used in P&IDs to enable t!e beginner better understand !ow to interpret t!e P&ID drawings of t!eir respective plants. ,,C Com%uting De#ice #!is is a device or function t!at performs one or more calculations or logic operations, or bot!, and transmits one or more resultant output signals. A computing device is sometimes called a computing relay. Con#erter A device t!at receives information in one form of an instrument signal and transmits an output signal in anot!er form is called a converter. An instrument w!ic! c!anges a sensorOs output to a standard signal is properly designated as a transmitter, not a converter. #ypically, a flow element $FE% may connect to a Flow transmitter $F#%, not to a converter $FB%. A converter is also referred to as a transducerK !owever, PtransducerP is a completely general term, and its use specifically for signal conversion is not recommended. An I to P $current to pneumatic% converter is a converter we often come across in P&ID drawings.

,,C 'ocal #!is is t!e location of an instrument t!at is neit!er in nor on a panel or console, nor is it mounted in a control room. .ocal instruments are commonly in t!e vicinity of a primary element or a final control element. #!e word PfieldP is often used synonymously wit! local. 'ocal Panel #!is is a panel t!at is not a central or main panel. .ocal panels are commonly in t!e vicinity of plant subsystems or sub,areas. #!e term Plocal panel instrumentP s!ould not be confused wit! Plocal instrument.P From my e@planation on t!e word local above, a local instrument implies an instrument in t!e field. Monitor ,,C A monitor is a general term for an instrument or instrument system used to measure or sense t!e status or magnitude of one or more variables for t!e purpose of deriving useful information. #!e term monitor is very often unspecific w!en used in P&ID drawings Q sometimes meaning analy>er, indicator, or alarm. onitor can also be used as a verb Panel A panel is a structure t!at !as a group of instruments mounted on it, !ouses t!e operator,process interface, and is c!osen to !ave a uni"ue designation. #!e panel may consist of one or more sections, cubicles, consoles, or desks. Panel is t!e *ynonym for board on P&IDs Panel(mounted #!is is t!e term applied to an instrument t!at is mounted on a panel or console and is accessible for an operatorOs normal use. A function t!at is normally accessible to an operator in a s!ared,display system is t!e e"uivalent of a discrete panel,mounted device. Pilot lig)t A pilot lig!t indicates w!ic! number of normal conditions of a system or device e@ists. It is unlike an alarm lig!t, w!ic! indicates an abnormal condition. #!e pilot lig!t is also known as a monitor lig!t. Sensor A sensor is t!at part of a loop or instrument t!at first senses t!e value of a process variable, and assumes a corresponding, predetermined, and intelligible state or output. #!e sensor may be separate from or integral wit! anot!er functional element of a loop. #!e sensor is also known as a detector or primary element. Set %oint #!e set point is an input variable t!at sets t!e desired value of t!e controlled variable. #!e set point may be manually set, automatically set, or programmed. Its value is e@pressed in t!e same units as t!e controlled variable. S)ared controller #!is is a controller, containing pre,programmed algorit!ms t!at are usually accessible, configurable, and assignable. It permits a number of process variables to be controlled by a single device. S)ared dis%la*#!is is t!e operator interface device $usually a video screen% used to display process control information from a number of sources at t!e command of t!e operator. !ransducer #ransducer is a general term for a device t!at receives information in t!e form of one or more p!ysical "uantities, modifies t!e information and?or its form, if re"uired, and produces a resultant output signal. Depending on t!e application, t!e transducer can be a primary element, transmitter, relay, converter or ot!er

device. +ecause t!e term PtransducerP is not specific, its use for specific applications is not recommended ,,C !ransmitter #!is is a device t!at senses a process variable t!roug! t!e medium of a sensor and !as an output w!ose steady, state value varies only as a predetermined function of t!e process variable. #!e sensor may or may not be integral wit! t!e transmitter. A transmitter is often re"uired w!ere t!e instrument signal needs to be sent to a central control room or transmitted t!roug! some distance. #!is post will begin a series of tutorials on P&ID to !elp many people seeking information on t!e sub/ect to understand more about piping and instrumentation diagrams. Please read on and endeavour to go t!roug! all t!e posts on piping and instrumentation diagrams if you !ave t!e time. Bou will find t!e links to all my posts on P&IDs at t!e end of t!is post. &appy reading. #!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook

#!e P&ID above is t!at of a typical industrial !eat e@c!anger. Bou look at t!e P&ID and you wonder' w!at is going onN Eell t!e P&ID looks a little complicated if you are new to Piping and instrumentation diagrams. #o understand w!at is actually going on, let us first get to understand w!at t!e process w!ose piping and instrumentation diagrams is depicted above is all about. ,,C

!)e Process #!e !eat e@c!anger is a process unit in w!ic! steam is used to !eat up a li"uid material. #!e material, called feedstock, is pumped at a specific flow rate wit! pump P,0;0 into t!e pipes passing t!roug! t!e !eat e@c!anger c!amber $called t!e tube% w!ere !eat is transferred from steam to t!e material in t!e pipe. It is usually desired to regulate t!e temperature of t!e outlet flow irrespective of t!e c!ange in t!e demand $flow rate% of t!e feedstock or c!ange in t!e inlet temperature of t!e feedstock. #!e regulation of t!e outlet temperature is ac!ieved by automatic control of t!e steam flow rate to t!e !eat e@c!anger $E,0;0%. #!e P&ID diagram utili>es certain standard symbols to represent t!e process units, t!e instrumentation, and t!e process flow. Auto)AD P&ID 3;05 #utorial !)e Pi%ing and Instrumentation Diagram+ Instruments on t)e P&ID <ecall t!at instruments are represented in P&IDs by bubbles defined by I*A standard 6.0. In t!is P&ID, t!ere are two sets of instrument bubbles used' plain circle bubble and a circle bubble wit! a solid line across it. As indicated on t!e P&ID, t!e plain circle bubbles represent field mounted instruments w!ile circle bubbles wit! a solid line across represent control room mounted instruments. Signals on t)e P&ID #wo kinds of signals are represented on t!e P&ID. #!ey are' Electrical signals Pneumatic signals Electrical signals are represented by t!e das!ed lines wit! red colour on t!e P&ID. #!e pneumatic signals are represented by solid lines wit! double strip across. #!ey are colored blue on t!is P&ID Detailed descri%tion o& P&ID FIC 1,1 )ontrol *ystem Documentation' Applying *ymbols and Identification' Flow Indicator and )ontroller.#!is control room mounted instrument controls t!e flow of cold feedstock entering t!e tube side of t!e !eat e@c!anger by accurately positioning a control valve $F)F 0;0% on t!e cold feedstock flow pat!. A Flow transmitter, F# 0;0, in con/unction wit! a flow sensor $orifice plate% measures t!e flow of cold feedstock and sends a corresponding electrical signal to controller, FI) 0;0, in t!e control room. #!e controller t!en compares t!e measured flow wit! its set point and sends an electrical signal to a I?P$current to pneumatic% converter, FB 0;0, w!ic! converts t!e electrical signal to a corresponding pneumatic signal used to accurately position t!e control valve F)F 0;0. *imilarly, F# 0;4 measures t!e flow of steam into t!e e@c!anger using a flow sensor $orifice plate% and sends a corresponding electrical signal to Flow <ecorder, F< 0;4 to indicate t!e measured flow. ,,C F 1,Flow <ecorder. #!is control room mounted instrument records t!e steam flow rate. It measures t!e steam flow rate in con/unction wit! a flow transmitter, F# 0;4 and a flow sensor $orifice plate%. .S 1,1 &and *witc!, -A?-FF. #!is !and switc! is mounted in t!e control room .#!is switc! turns on?off cold feedstock pump P,0;0. E!en t!e switc! is in t!e -A condition, t!e pump is running. E!en t!e switc! is in t!e -FF condition, t!e pump is not running. ./ 1,2 &and Falve, -PEA?).-*ED.#!is valve opens?closes t!e steam block valve t!roug! w!ic! steam is routed from t!e !eader to t!e s!ell side of t!e !eat e@c!anger. PA' 1,Pressure Alarm .ow, #!is alarm fires s!ould t!e steam !eader pressure be less t!an t!e pressure re"uired for t!e !eat e@c!anger to work accurately. Aote t!at t!e alarm module is mounted in t!e control room.

PI 1,, Pressure Indicator, #!is control room mounted instrument displays t!e steam pressure at t!e s!ell side of t!e !eat e@c!anger. #!is pressure measurement is done using pressure transmitter, P# 0;;. PI 1,Pressure Indicator, #!is instrument displays t!e steam !eader pressure. Pressure measurement is also done using pressure transmitter, P# 0;4 !A./' 1,2 #emperature Alarm &ig!?.ow, #!is alarm fires s!ould t!e temperature of t!e feedstock at t!e e@c!anger outlet goes beyond or falls below stipulated temperatures for !ig! or low temperature of t!e feedstock coming out of t!e e@c!anger. !I 1,#emperature Indicator #!is control room mounted instrument displays t!e temperature of t!e steam entering t!e s!ell side of t!e !eat e@c!anger. !! 1,2 #emperature transmitter, #!is is a field mounted instrument t!at measures t!e temperature of t!e outlet feedstock from t!e !eat e@c!anger. #!is measured temperature is converted to electrical signal t!at is sent to #A&?. 0;3 for alarming purposes and #I<) 0;3 for indication, recording and controlling purposes. !I C 1,2 #emperature Indicator, <ecorder, and )ontroller, #!is control room mounted instrument controls t!e temperature of t!e feedstock at t!e e@c!anger outlet by accurately positioning t!e valve #)F 0;3 t!at regulates t!e steam flow to t!e e@c!anger. ## 0;3 measures t!e temperature of t!e feedstock at t!e e@c!anger outlet. #!is measured temperature is sent in t!e form of electrical signals to #I<) 0;3. #!is controller t!en sends a corresponding electrical signal to an I?P $current to pneumatic% converter, #B 0;3 w!ic! converts t!e electrical signal to pneumatic signal t!at is t!en used to accurately position t!e temperature control valve, #)F 0;3. Aote also, t!e electrical signal from ## 0;3 is also used for alarming purposes $#A&?. 0;3% ! 1,1 #emperature <ecorder, #!is control room mounted instrument displays t!e temperature of t!e feedstock entering t!e e@c!anger. #!is is done by using temperature transmitter ## 0;0, w!ic! measures t!e temperature of t!e cold feedstock entering t!e e@c!anger in t!e form of electrical signals and sends it to #< 0;0. In continuation of my series on piping and instrumentation diagrams tutorials, we s!all look at !ow to develop and construct a simple piping and instrumentation diagrams $P&ID%. +efore we start, I will advise you to go t!roug! #utorials I . If you are completely new to P&ID, I will advise t!at you go t!roug! my various posts on piping and instrumentation diagrams to ensure t!at we are on t!e same page w!en we use t!e information provided to develop our P&ID. !utorial 0uestion !)e Pi%ing & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID) .and"oo1 Develop t!e piping and instrumentation diagram $P&ID% of a gas vessel w!ic! !as natural gas entering it t!roug! an inlet !eader and leaving it t!roug! an outlet gas !eader. #!e gas vessel will s!ow t!e following instrumentation' $a% An inlet valve t!at is manually controlled on t!e gas inlet !eader $b% A pressure transmitter and pressure indicator to indicate inlet gas pressure $c% A flow transmitter and flow indicator to measure and indicate inlet flow. Also s!ow instrumentation for !ig! and low flow rates alarms

$d% A pressure safety valve to relieve e@cess pressure to a flare system $e% A !and valve on t!e gas outlet !eader Control S*stem Documentation+ A%%l*ing S*m"ols and Identi&ication+ $f% A pressure transmitter, a pressure indicator and controller and control valve for monitoring and controlling gas vessel pressure $g% An alarm to indicate !ig! vessel pressure $!% A c!eck valve on t!e outlet !eader $i% A pressure transmitter and a pressure indicator on t!e outlet !eader to indicate outlet pressure ((2 Developing t!e Piping and instrumentation diagram $P&ID% #o develop t!is P&ID, t!e following tips were relied on' (now t!e s*m"ols &or all 1inds o& #al#es (now !ow to represent #arious instruments on P&IDs using ISA 341 standard (now !ow to construct t)e #arious a""re#iations &or instruments on P&IDs (now t!e common signals and t)eir re%resentation on P&IDs +ased on t!e above tips I !ave developed t!e piping and instrumentation diagram $P&ID% below for t!e gas vessel instrumentation'

!)e P&ID o& t)e 5as /essel

.et us now take a detailed look at t!e piping and instrumentation diagram developed from t!e information given above. Please note t!at t!e tag numbers on t!e P&ID !ave been arbitrarily added to give t!e P&ID an orderly look. ,,C -n t!e developed P&ID, please note t!at' #!e plain instrument bubble wit!out a solid line across represents a field mounted instrument. #!e instrument bubble wit! a solid line across represents an instrument t!at is mounted in a central control room. Developing t!e P&ID $a% we were told t!e gas vessel instrumentation s!ould !ave an inlet valve. -n t!e P&ID, inlet valve &F 0;8 is provided to manually regulate gas flow into t!e vessel. ,,C $b% A pressure transmitter and a pressure indicator is to be provided to indicate inlet pressure. -n t!e developed piping and instrumentation diagram, P# 0;0 and PI 0;0 are provided for t!is purpose. P# 0;0 measures t!e inlet pressure and sends t!e measured value via electrical signals to t!e pressure indicator, PI 0;0 ,,C $c% A flow transmitter and a flow indicator are to be provided to measure and indicate flow. Also, instrument for alarming !ig! and low flow rates are to be included. -n t!e developed P&ID, F# 0;3 measures t!e flow and FI 0;3 indicates t!e flow. Also FA& 0;3 is a flow alarm switc! for indicating !ig! flow rates w!ile FA. 0;3 is for indicating low flow rates Auto)AD P&ID 3;05 #utorial $d% A pressure safety valve is to be provided in t!e instrumentation to relieve and vent e@cess pressure to a flare system. -n t!e developed P&ID, P*F 0;5 is provided to relieve e@cess pressure and protect t!e gas vessel. $e% A manually controlled !and valve is to be provided on t!e gas vessel outlet !eader. -n t!e developed P&ID, !and valve, &F 0;6 is provided. $f% A pressure transmitter, a pressure indicator and controller and a control valve are to be provided. -n t!e developed P&ID, P# 0;4 is t!e pressure transmitter t!at measures t!e gas vessel pressure and sends t!e signal $electrical% to PI) 0;4, a pressure indicator and controller to indicate t!e measured pressure and at t!e same time send a command pneumatic signal depending on its set point to actuate t!e pressure control valve, P)F 0;4 $g% Instrumentation for alarm to indicate !ig! vessel pressure is to be provided. -n t!e developed P&ID, pressure alarm switc! PA& 0;4 is used to signal an alarm for !ig! vessel pressure #!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook $!% A c!eck valve on t!e outlet !eader is to be provided in t!e vessel instrumentation. -n t!e developed P&ID, )F 0;7 is t!e c!eck valve provided to prevent back flow into t!e gas vessel $i% .astly, a pressure transmitter and pressure indicator is to be provided to measure and indicate gas outlet pressure. -n t!e developed P&ID, P# 0;9 and PI 0;9 are performing t!is function. If after going t!roug! t!is piece you still !ave some difficulty, I will advise you go t!roug! all t!e introductory posts on piping and instrumentation diagrams before coming back to study #utorials II In continuation of my series on piping and instrumentation diagram tutorials, we s!all continue wit! t!e development of P&IDs w!en given some information about a process or control system. .et us take a look at t!e tutorial "uestion below' ,,C !utorial 0uestion'

It is desirable to !ave a small control system to control li"uid flow and conse"uently level in an open tank. #!e description of t!e control system is as follows' ,,C $a% A flow control valve will be used to regulate flow. #!is flow control will be based on flow measurement in an orifice meter #!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook $b% Ee want to automatically ad/ust t!e setpoint of t!e flow controller wit! t!e aid of a level control loop. As level is being measured, t!e set point of t!e flow control valve is ad/usted automatically. If t!e level goes up, t!e set point of t!e flow control valve s!ould be lowered and vice versa $c% #!e -rifice meter s!ould !ave a secondary device to transmit a 5 G 3;mA signal to t!e control room. #!e secondary device s!ould be able to indicate flow rate locally at t!e -rifice meter. $d% #!e secondary device on t!e -rifice meter is re"uired to send t!is 5 , 3;mA electronic signal to a controller in a central control room. #!e flow rate s!ould be indicated on t!is controller $e% #!e control room will send a 5 G 3;mA signal from t!e controller to t!e control valve. At t!e control valve, we will use an I?P converter to provide pneumatic signal to control our valve. #!e flow control loop will !ave a loop number 0;;. )ontrol *ystem Documentation' Applying *ymbols and Identification' $f% #!e level of t!e tank will be measured using a transmitter, wit! local indication on t!e transmitter. $g% Ee also want to send a 5 G 3;mA level signal to a level controller in t!e control room. #!is controller will display t!e level of t!e tank in t!e control room. $!% #!e level control instrumentation in t!e tank will make provision for activating !ig! and low level alarms seen in t!e control room w!enever t!e level goes too !ig! or too low $i% #!e tank s!ould !ave a local sig!t glass or gauge for indicating level locally for plant operators Auto)AD P&ID 3;05 #utorial $/% #!e level controller will also send t!e level signal via wire to t!e flow controller in t!e control room, w!ere t!e setpoint for t!e flow control valve will be ad/usted. #!e level control loop will !ave t!e loop number 0;0 From t!e information provided above, develop t!e piping and instrumentation diagram $P&ID% for t!is control system. ,,C De#elo%ing t)e Pi%ing and instrumentation diagram. #o develop t!e P&ID from t!e information given above, you need to be familiar wit! most of t!e symbols used for representing flow and level since we are basically dealing wit! only flow and level control !ere. Bou also need to be familiar wit! t!e various instruments and control functions encountered in most instrumentation systems. Bou also need to refres! your mind about t!e various abbreviations used in denoting instruments and control functions in piping and instrumentation diagrams. #o get useful facts about all I !ave /ust mentioned, Please go t!roug!' )ommon P&ID *ymbols used in Developing Instrumentation Diagrams +asic Functions of Instruments in a P&ID Instrument Abbreviations Ised in Instrumentation Diagrams +elow is t!e piping and instrumentation diagram I !ave developed from t!e all t!e information provided above in our tutorial "uestion'

.et us now e@amine t!e information we used to develop t!e piping and instrumentation diagram above in detail' $a% A flow control valve is re"uired to regulate flow. -n t!e developed P&ID, FF 0;; is t!e control valve provided to regulate flow $b% #!e setpoint of t!e flow controller is to be ad/usted by a level control loop. In t!e P&ID above, .I# 0;0 and .I) 0;0 make up t!e level control loop t!at !elps to ad/ust t!e setpoint of t!e flow controller FI) 0;; #!e Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams $P&ID% &andbook $c% #!e -rifice meter is re"uired to !ave a secondary device t!at can transmit a 5 G 3;mA signal to t!e control room and s!ould also indicate flow locally in t!e plant. In t!e above P&ID, t!e -rifice meter is s!own to !ave ,FI# 0;;, w!ic! is a flow indicator and transmitter. #!e indicator indicates flow locally in t!e plant and t!e transmitter transmits t!e re"uired 5 G 3;mA signal to t!e control room. ,,C $d% #!e secondary device on t!e -rifice meter $in t!is case, FI# 0;;% is re"uired to send a 5 G 3;mA electronic signal to a controller in t!e control room. In t!e piping and instrumentation diagram I !ave developed above, FI# 0;; is sending a 5 G 3;mA signal to flow indicator and controller, FI) 0;;, located in t!e control room. #!e controller !as an indicator function to indicate flow in t!e control room. ,,C $e% #!e flow controller in t!e control room is re"uired to send a 5 G 3;mA signal down to t!e flow control valve. -n t!e flow control valve, an I?P $current to pneumatic converter% will t!en provide t!e pneumatic signal re"uired to actuate t!e control valve. In t!e P&ID developed, t!e 5 G 3; mA signal sent to t!e I?P converter from FI) 0;;, is converted into pneumatic signal t!at is used to control t!e flow control valve, FF 0;;. $f% For level measurement, it is re"uired t!at t!e open tank s!ould !ave a transmitter wit! a local indication function. In t!e piping and instrumentation diagrams t!at I !ave developed above, .I# 0;0 is a level indicator and transmitter t!at is measuring t!e level of t!e tank and indicating it locally in t!e plant. #!e transmitter !elps to transmit t!e measured level signal to t!e control room.

$g% A 5 G 3;mA level signal is re"uired to be sent to a level controller in t!e control room. In t!e P&ID above, .I# 0;0 is sending t!e re"uired 5 G 3;mA level signal to level controller and indicator , .I) 0;0. Aote t!at because it is re"uired t!at level s!ould be displayed in t!e control room, .I) 0;0 !as an indicator function. $!% #!e level instrumentation is re"uired to !ave alarms for !ig! and low levels in t!e tank. In our P&ID, t!e level signal from .I# 0;0 is used for indicating !ig! and low level alarms respectively via .A& 0;0 $level alarm !ig!% and .A. 0;0 $level alarm low%. $i% A level gauge or sig!t glass is re"uired for roug! level indication. #!is is provided by .J 0;0 in t!e above P&ID $/% #!e level controller .I) 0;0 is re"uired to send a level signal via wire to our flow controller, FI) 0;; so as to ad/ust t!e setpoint of t!is controller. In t!e P&ID above, .I) 0;0 is sending t!e measured level signal to FI) 0;;. #!is signal is being used to ad/ust t!e setpoint of t!e flow controller FI) 0;;. If t!e level in t!e tank becomes too !ig!, t!e setpoint of FI) 0;; is automatically reduced and if it becomes too low, it is increased. )ontrol *ystem Documentation' Applying *ymbols and Identification' &ope you !ave found t!is tutorial useful. Please note t!at on t!e P&ID developed, t!ere are arrows on t!e electrical signals indicating t!e direction w!ere t!ey are being sent to. -n actual piping and instrumentation diagrams, t!is is not often t!e case. I !ave done t!is for t!e purpose of learning and driving !ome my point. Also note t!at t!e piping and instrumentation diagram is rat!er simplistic. #!is is done to facilitate understanding of t!e basic concepts involved in understanding piping and instrumentation diagrams.