P&ID and PFD

P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) and PFD (Process Flow Diagram) are official documents that represent the elements of a process industry at a particular moment in its functioning. P&ID provides process information on the piping, equipment and instrumentation where as, PFD gives a general flow of the process. Together they create a basis for the noiseless and accident-free operations of industries. This paper aims at outlining and discussing the use of P&ID and PFD in engineering process and industrial design.

Important Documents:-

Two of the most important drawing documents in this stage are...

A Process Flow Diagram (PFD), indicates equipment used in the process such as, pumps, compressor, heater, reactor, distillation column and connects the flow of materials and heat through each equipment in the form of a flow diagram.

The other most important drawing is Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID) that illustrates all pipe sizes, pipe schedule, system, and instrument controls. It also provides major equipment sizes and performance specification.

In earlier days, P&IDs were being conceived and drafted total manually. Now P&ID software provide the capability to built schematics intelligently, performing design checks for consistency and compatibility of components. Once the process simulation is done, the actual drafting works are carried out by software programs like AutoCAD.

 

p&id and pfd

P&ID and PFD are among the crucial engineering documents applied in industries, especially chemical processing, oil and natural gas, and manufacturing. They entail different functions but are somewhat connected with regards to the design and development of industrial procedures. Here's an overview of both:Here's an overview of both:

P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram):P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram):

Purpose: P&ID is a graphic representation of the piping and equipment arrangements as well as the instrumentation and control system of a process. In a way, it gives the big picture of how the components interact to cause a given process to happen.

Components: Among the typical P&ID elements there are represented symbols and annotations of pipes, valves, pumps, tanks, vessels, heat exchangers, instruments including sensors and transmitters, control loops and much more.

Information: It provides information about the workflow, the location of equipment, pipe diameter and material and the control measures in place. P&IDs depict direction of flow, identification of isolation points, and safety measures that are commonly safety instrumented system.

Usage: P&IDs are important when it comes to the design, construction, running and troubleshooting of process systems. Process control engineers, operators, and maintenance personnel rely on them to analyze and manipulate the process.

Accuracy: P&IDs have to be precise and up to date especially if there are changes that have occurred in the process system. They are very useful during diagnostics and risk analysis exercises.

PFD (Process Flow Diagram):

Purpose: PFD is generally a crude diagram in the sense that it omits certain details and gives only the line overview of the process; mainly highlighting only the giant equipment and significant process lines. Thus, it forms the basis for creating a detailed P&ID.

Components: PFD contains symbols of major equipment, for example, reactors, pumps, distillation columns, heat exchangers, etc. It shows the main process flow activity connections and tracks in the network.

Information: The main process streams’ flow rates of the process, temperatures, pressure, and compositions can be known using PFD. In particular, it contributes to the assessment of the general configuration of the process.

Usage: PFD is applied at a time when a process is described and designed at a conceptual level. It assists the engineers and stakeholders to get a general view of the work that needs to be done before going to the precise detailing that is depicted in P&IDs.

Accuracy: PFDs contain less information in comparison to P&IDs and can have multiple iterations because of changes in the process design. They are used to convey a concept and can be comprised to define detailed elements of a design.

To sum up, it is possible to state that P&ID and PFD are equally significant documents that are utilized in the design of the processes and their operation in the course of industrial activities. The contour of a plan and configuration summary is given by PFD whereas guidelines of the piping and control and instrumentation details are given by P&ID. Collectively, they are indispensable aids in the prevention of hazardous situations in complex industrial facilities and the control of such facilities’ functioning.


 

Difference between pfd and p&id diagram

Piping drawings are of two types a Piping flow diagram also known as PFD and the Piping and Instrumentation Diagram or abbreviated as P&ID. But there are certain distinctions between all the drawings to be more precise between the two types.

A PFD is a document that is more theoretical as it depicts the primary units of the system that is pipes, valves, pumps among others. This a does not reveal some of the system aspects like dimensions of the pipes or the kind of valves to use. A PFD is generally used to describe the system and to assist engineers and technicians in planning the flow of the fluids.

P&ID is a more detailed plan than a PFD that depicts the general outlines of the piped system and drawing features of the system: dimensions of pipes and the items of the valve type. A P&ID also depicts the instruments that are employed in the course of measurement and regulation of the flow. The P&ID is employed to plan, build and communicate about the piping system of the plant.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between PFDs and P&IDs:Here is a table summarizing the key differences between PFDs and P&IDs:

FeaturePFDP&ID
PurposeTo give an overview of the piping systemTo design, construct, and maintain the piping system
Level of detailConceptualDetailed
Information shownMajor components of the piping systemMajor components, details of the system, and instrumentation
UseTo help engineers and technicians understand the overall flow of fluidsTo design, construct, and maintain the piping system

Pfd and p&id full form

Here are the full forms of PFD and P&ID:

  • PFD: Piping Flow Diagram
  • P&ID: From inception P&ID also known as piping and instrumentation diagram has become a central element in process industries.

A PFD is a drawing which depicts part of a process plant and the major equipment characteristics in terms of piping, such as pipes, valves, and pumps. It does not provide the details of the system like dimensions of the pipe or type / size of the valves. A PFD is generally utilized to provide a system-wide view of the design and to assist the engineers and technicians with addressing and comprehending the general circulation of the fluids.

To summarize, W&TD is the general layout that displays the entire system and its connectivity to other systems, while a P&ID reflects a detailed pictorial representation and reveals the outline of the piping system in terms of its measurements, and valve type. P&ID also shows the measuring devices or instruments that are used to measure or to control the system. A P&ID is used to provide a layout for the design, construction and overall maintenance of the intended piping system.

pfd process flow diagram example

PFD (Piping Flow Diagram) for a simple water purification system:

PFD process flow diagram example

PFD process flow diagram example 

The main parts of the system have been presented on the diagram, which joined the source of water, the treatment tanks, the pumps for water and the piping systems. The arrows show the direction of move of the water.

The water source is a river which is the place of breeding of the fish. The water is then conveyed through a pipeline to a treatment tank depending with the river to be used. The treatment tank has filters that help in the elimination of the impurities on water. The clean water is then pumped to a storage tank and then released through a supply faucet to the domestic use. The storage tank avails clean water whenever there is power interruption, water system failure or for any other reason.

This is just a simple example of a PFD. The specific components and layout of a PFD will vary depending on the specific application.

pfd process flow diagram symbols

some common symbols used in PFD (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) process flow diagrams:

  • Rectangle: Indicates a tank or vessel

Rectangle symbol in PFD

Rectangle symbol in PFD

  • Circle: Indicates a valve

Circle symbol in PFD

Circle symbol in PFD

  • Diamond: Indicates a pump

Diamond symbol in PFD

Diamond symbol in PFD

  • Triangle: Indicates a heat exchanger

Triangle symbol in PFD

Triangle symbol in PFD

  • Line: Indicates a pipe

Line symbol in PFD

Line symbol in PFD

  • Arrow: Indicates the direction of flow

Arrow symbol in PFD

Arrow symbol in PFD

  • Number: Indicates the number of a component

Number symbol in PFD

Number symbol in PFD

  • Letter: Indicates the type of a component

Letter symbol in PFD

Letter symbol in PFD

  • Text: Provides additional information about a component

Text symbol in PFD

Text symbol in PFD

Thus, there are many symbols used in PFDs listed above are just one or two. The nature of the symbols that are used will depend on the type of the industry in question and the exact enterprise that was responsible for the drawing.

The creation of PFDs is normally carried out by engineers and technicians with the help of Computer Aided Designing (CAD) tools. CAD software gives engineers the ability to create beautiful, detailed, and precise drawing that can be somewhat edited.

After the formation of the PFD’s, they are put into use to create and develop the piping system. The drawings also provide one with a platform whereby he or she can diagnose some of the challenges affecting the system and in the process of correcting some of these challenges they modify the system.

p and id symbols

P& ID symbols stand for the graphical representation in the engineering drawings concerned to the different aspects of instruments, corresponding pipes and control devices in the concerned process system. They assist the engineers and operators in comprehending the configuration and working of the controller. Here are some common P&ID symbols:

Basic P&ID Symbols:

Pipe: Indicates the flow of a fluid or a gas. The arrow points up if the flow is upward otherwise down if the flow is downward.

Valve: Indicates a control valve or a shut-off valve kind of valve. The related valves have their symbols according to the type of the valve.

Pump: Illustration of hence that shows a pump used to transport fluids.

Compressor: Stands for a compressor and used to signify an increase in pressure of gaseous fluids.

Heat Exchanger: Represents a body which is an exchanger of heat for changing between two fluids.

Tank: Represents a storage tank or vessel.

Vessel: Depicts a pressure vessel.

Instrumentation: Different shapes depict the devices such as pressure indicators, velocity indicators, level indicators and temperature indicators.

Control Valve: Abbreviation for an assemblage of a control valve and an actuator.

Safety Valve: Conveys a protection device that allows vapor or air to escape when pressure is beyond the acceptable level.

Flow Direction and Lines:

Arrow: Indicates the direction of flow for fluids or gases.

Dashed Line: Represents a utility connection (e.g., electrical, air, steam).

Piping Accessories:

Reducer: Depicts a pipe reducer used to change pipe size.

Expansion Joint: Symbolizes an expansion joint used to absorb thermal expansion.

Strainer: Represents a strainer or filter.

Sight Glass: Depicts a sight glass for visual inspection of fluid levels.

Instruments:

Pressure Gauge: Symbol for a pressure gauge.

Flow Meter: Represents a flow meter.

Level Indicator: Symbol for a level indicator.

Temperature Sensor: Depicts a temperature sensor or thermometer.

Control Loop: Symbol for a control loop.

Miscellaneous:

Electric Motor: Represents an electric motor.

Blower: Symbolizes a blower or fan.

Filter: Represents a filter.

Mixing Tank: Depicts a tank used for mixing.

Heater: Symbol for a heater.

Cooler: Represents a cooler or heat exchanger for cooling.

Agitator: Symbol for an agitator used for mixing.

Exhaust Fan: Depicts an exhaust fan.

It is important for the reader to know that these are samples of the most frequent P&ID symbols. While creating P&ID drawings, it is possible to get lost in details and the drawings may become quite large; there are generally established sets of symbols depending on the industry and specificity of a particular process. Professional engineers and designers follow specific guidelines when preparing P&IDs in order to give the necessary working format.