Topic 10: Flowchart for Automatic and Control Systems Week 17-18

10.1: Symbol marks used in flow charts such as terminal, processing, determination,
input/output, etc.

The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society (ISA) is one of the leading process
control trade and standards organizations. The ISA has developed a set of symbols for use in
engineering drawings and designs of control loops (ISA S5.1 instrumentation symbol
specification). You should be familiar with ISA symbology so that you can demonstrate possible
process control loop solutions on paper to your customer. Figure 92 shows a control loop using
ISA symbology. Drawings of this kind are known as piping and instrumentation drawings
(P&ID).

Figure 92 - Piping and Instrumentation Drawing (P&ID)

Symbols
In a P&ID, a circle represents individual measurement instruments, such as transmitters, sensors,
and detectors (Figure 93).

Figure 93 - Discrete Instruments

A single horizontal line running across the center of the shape indicates that the instrument or
function is located in a primary location (e.g., a control room). A double line indicates that the
function is in an auxiliary location (e.g., an instrument rack). The absence of a line indicates that
the function is field mounted, and a dotted line indicates that the function or instrument is
inaccessible (e.g., located behind a panel board). A square with a circle inside represents
instruments that both display measurement readings and perform some control function (Figure
94). Many modern transmitters are equipped with microprocessors that perform control
calculations and send control output signals to final control elements.

Figure 94 - Shared Control/Display Elements

A hexagon represents computer functions, such as those carried out by a controller (Figure 95).

Figure 95- Computer Functions (Controllers)

A square with a diamond inside represents PLCs (Figure 96).

Figure 96 - PLCs
Two triangles with their apexes contacting each other (a “bow tie” shape) represent a valve in the
piping. An actuator is always drawn above the valve (Figure 97).

Figure 97 - Valves
Pumps

Directional arrows showing the flow direction represent a pump

(Figure 98).

Figure 98 - Pumps
Piping and Connections
Piping and connections are represented with several different symbols (Figure 7.12):
• A heavy solid line represents piping
• A thin solid line represents process connections to instruments (e.g., impulse piping)
• A dashed line represents electrical signals (e.g., 4–20 mA connections)
• A slashed line represents pneumatic signal tubes
• A line with circles on it represents data links
Other connection symbols include capillary tubing for filled systems (e.g., remote diaphragm
seals), hydraulic signal lines, and guided electromagnetic or sonic signals. See Figure 99 below.
 Figure 99 - Piping and Connection Symbols Components of Control Loops and ISA Symbology

Identification Letters

Identification letters on the ISA symbols (e.g., TT for temperature transmitter) indicate:
• The variable being measured (e.g., flow, pressure, temperature)
• The device’s function (e.g., transmitter, switch, valve, sensor, indicator)
• Some modifiers (e.g., high, low, multifunction)
The initial letter indicates the measured variable. The second letter indicates a modifier, readout,
or device function. The third letter usually indicates either a device function or a modifier.
For example, “FIC” on an instrument tag represents a flow indicating controller. “PT” represents
a pressure transmitter. You can find identification letter symbology information on the ISA Web
site at http://www.isa.org.
Tag Numbers
Numbers on P&ID symbols represent instrument tag numbers. Often these numbers are
associated with a particular control loop (e.g., flow transmitter 123). See Figure 100 below.

Figure 100 - Identification Letters and Tag Number

Figure 101 - ISA Identification Letters

Figure 102 shows the elements of ISA symbology used in a P&ID.
Figure 102 - P&ID with ISA Symbology
10.2: What to understood with flowcharts

Flow charts are a useful tool in these situations, as they make a process easy to understand at a
glance. Using just a few words and some simple symbols, they show clearly what happens at
each stage and how this affects other decisions and actions.
What Is a Flow Chart?
Flow charts are easy-to-understand diagrams that show how the steps of a process fit together.
American engineer Frank Gilbreth is widely believed to be the first person to document a process
flow, having introduced the concept of a “Process Chart” to the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers in 1921.
Flow charts tend to consist of four main symbols, linked with arrows that show the direction of
flow: See Figure 103 below.
1. Elongated circles, which signify the start or end of a process.

2. Rectangles, which show instructions or actions.

3. Diamonds, which highlight where you must make a decision.

4. Parallelograms, which show input and output. This can include materials, services or people.
 Figure 103 - Flow Chart
When to Use a Flow Chart
All manner of organizations use flow charts to:
• Define a process
• Standardize a process
• Communicate a process.
• Identify bottlenecks or waste in a process
• Solve a problem
• Improve a process
For example, software developers can use them to work out how the automated and manual parts
of a process join up. Inexperienced team members might follow a flow chart to help them to
complete activities in the right order.
Why Use Flow Charts?
This tool's simplicity makes communicating and record a process quick and clear, so that the
process will more likely be understood and applied correctly and consistently. It can also help
you to estimate the timescale of the process, as you're better able to gauge the time needed for
each task along the way.

10.3: Flow charts indicating Automatic Control System for Main Engine, Generator Control
System and others taking some of them as examples.
See Figure 104 below.
 Figure 104 - Diesel-Driven Alternator Starting and Synchronizing (Automatic Operation)
On a ship there are many parameters that needs to be controlled or monitored including:
temperatures, pressure, level, viscosity, flow control, position of vessel, speed, torque control,
voltage, current, machinery status (on/ off), and equipment status (open/ closed).
As the market is driving ship owners to become more efficient with reduced staff on board it
called for an automatic control and monitoring system for the ship that enabled unattended
operation of machinery spaces. Vessels capable of safe operation at any period of time qualify as
UMS (Unattended Machinery Space) ships.
A modern automation and control system is a fully integrated systems covering many aspects of
the ship operation that includes the propulsion plant operation, power management operation on
the auxiliary engines, auxiliary machinery operation, cargo on-and-off-loading operation,
navigation and administration of maintenance and purchasing of spares. See Figure 105 below.
 Figure 105 – Ship’s different monitoring and control
Propulsion (Main Engine) and Power (Auxiliary Engines) Monitoring & Control
Monitoring and control of the ships propulsion and power is essential for its efficiency and safety
and there are many systems and parameters to consider like: fuel consumption, combustion
temperature, engine temperature, diesel engine safety and start/stop, generator voltage and
frequency control, generator load in KW and %, load control, torque, heavy consumers logic,
control of diesel electric propulsion, thrusters monitoring and control etc.
Auxiliary Machinery Monitoring and Control
Auxiliary machinery monitoring and control covers several systems like: main sea & fresh
water cooling system – pumps, system pressure, temp. etc., Potable and fresh water control, Air
compressors, Bilge & sludge control – Tank level, pumps, Fuel oil system – Tank levels, temp.,
viscosity, flow, purifiers, heaters etc., Other cooling systems, Boiler/steam system – pumps,
valves, pressure temp. etc., Air Conditioning, ballast water treatment, exhaust gas treatment
equipment.
Cargo & Ballast Monitoring & Control
For safe on and off loading of cargo, especially on tankers, this process is closely monitored and
many times incorporates functions like: Level gauging, Control of cargo pumps, Valve control,
Ballast & ballast pump control, Heeling control, Remote monitoring of temperature, pressure,
and flow.
Condition based monitoring
In order to further improve the ships efficiency many equipment manufacturers are looking into
feeding the main control and monitoring system with opportunities for condition based
monitoring. This would further improve the possibilities of preventing breakdowns of machinery
on board.
Click the link below to watch the Starting Air
System of Marine Diesel Engine on youtube.

V18https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_
continue=18&v=UnrJYcxfrTA
Starting Air System of Marine Diesel Engine