LQI3122/LQI4031 Process Engineering

Unit II
Process flow diagrams
Ernestina Moreno Rodriguez Ph.D.
Block Flow Plant Diagram

Block Flow Plant Diagram of a Coal to Higher Alcohol Fuels Process

What you will Learn
• Different types of chemical process diagrams
• How these diagrams represent different scales of process views
• One consistent method for drawing process flow diagrams
• The information to be included in a process flow diagram
Process Diagram

The most effective way of communicating

information about a process is through the
use of flow diagrams.
Block Flow Process Diagram

Block Flow Process Diagram for the Production of Benzene

Conventions and Format Recommended for
Laying Out a Block Flow Process Diagram
1. Operations shown by blocks.
2. Major flow lines shown with arrows giving direction of flow.
3. Flow goes from left to right whenever possible.
4. Light stream (gases) toward top with heavy stream (liquids and
solids) toward bottom.
5. Critical information unique to process supplied.
6. If lines cross, then the horizontal line is continuous and the vertical
line is broken.
7. Simplified material balance provided.
Process Flow Diagram (PFD)
PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM (PFD)
• All the major pieces of equipment in the process will be represented on the diagram
along with a description of the equipment.
• Each piece of equipment will have assigned a unique equipment number and a
descriptive name.
• All process flow streams will be shown and identified by a number.
• A description of the process conditions and chemical composition of each stream will be
included.
• These data will be either displayed directly on the PFD or included in an accompanying
flow summary table.
• All utility streams supplied to major equipment that provides a process function will be
shown.
• Basic control loops, illustrating the control strategy used to operate the process during
normal operations, will be shown.
Process Flow Diagram (PFD)
Skeleton Diagram. Costs of
The location of Identified by a
Illustrates the equipment and
and interaction number in a Each utility is
location of the The equipment furnish the basis
between diamond box identified by the
major pieces of summary for the detailed
equipment and located on the initials
equipment and design of
process streams. stream.
the connections. equipment.

Process topology Stream information Equipment information

PFD
PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM (PFD)
Process Topology

Symbols for Drawing

Process Flow Diagrams
PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM (PFD)
Process Topology

Conventions Used for

Identifying Process
Equipment
Example
Process Topology
P-101A/B

• P-101A/B identifies the equipment as a pump.

• P-101A/B indicates that the pump is located in area 100 of the plant.
• P-101A/B indicates that this specific pump is number 01 in unit 100.
• P-101A/B indicates that a backup pump is installed.
Conventions for Identifying Process and Utility Streams
Stream information
Examples
E-102
• E-102 identifies the equipment as a heat exchanger.
• E-102 indicates that the heat exchanger is located in area 100 of the plant.
• E-102 indicates that this specific heat exchanger is number 02 in unit 100.

C-201A/B
• C-201A/B identifies the equipment as a compressor.
• C-201A/B indicates that the compressor is located in area 200 of the plant.
• C-201A/B indicates that this specific compressor is number 01 in unit 200.
• C-201A/B indicates that a backup pump is installed.
Equipment Summary for Toluene
Hydrodealkylation PFD
PIPING AND INSTRUMENTATION DIAGRAM (P&ID)

Piping and Instrumentation Diagram for Benzene Distillation

Symbols for Stream Identification
Combining Topology, Stream Data, and
Control Strategy to Give a PFD
PIPING AND INSTRUMENTATION DIAGRAM (P&ID)
• Also known as mechanical flow diagram (MFD)
• Provides information needed by engineers to begin planning for the
construction of the plant (mechanical aspect)
Conventions in Constructing P&ID
Conventions Used
for Identifying
Instrumentation
on P&ID
Examples

• FRC identifies the sensor of flowrate.

• FRC indicates that sensor of flowrate is record.
• FRC indicates that this is a control sensor.

• indicates that this instrument is located on

Front of Panel in Control Room
Examples

• LCV identifies the sensor of the level.

• LCV indicates that sensor of flowrate is controlled.
• LCV indicates that this control sensor is located in a valve.

indicates that this instrument is located in Plant

Example
• Benzene product line
The flowrate of this stream is controlled by a control valve that receives a signal
from a level measuring element placed on V-104.
The sequence of instrumentation is as follows:
1. A level sensing element (LE) is located on the reflux drum V-104. A level
transmitter (LT) also located on V-104 sends an electrical signal (designated by
a dashed line) to a level indicator and controller (LIC).
2. This LIC is located in the control room on the control panel or console (as
indicated by the horizontal line under LIC) and can be observed by the
operators. From the LIC, an electrical signal is sent to an instrument (LY) that
computes the correct valve position and in turn sends a pneumatic signal
(designated by a solid line with cross hatching) to activate the control valve
(LCV).
Example
• Benzene product line
3. In order to warn operators of potential problems, two alarms are placed in the
control room. These are a high-level alarm (LAH) and a low-level alarm (LAL),
and they receive the same signal from the level transmitter as does the
controller.
4. The control action that takes place is not described explicitly in either drawing.
However, it is a simple matter to infer that if there is an increase in the level of
liquid in V-104, the control valve will open slightly and the flow of benzene
product will increase, tending to lower the level in V-104. For a decrease in the
level of liquid, the valve will close slightly.
Summary
• In this module, you have learned that the three principal types of diagrams used to describe the
flow of chemical streams through a process are the block flow diagram (BFD), the process flow
diagram (PFD), and the piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID).
• These diagrams describe a process in increasing detail.
• Each diagram serves a different purpose. The block flow diagram is useful in conceptualizing a
process or a number of processes in a large complex. Little stream information is given, but a
clear overview of the process is presented. The process flow diagram contains all the necessary
information to complete material and energy balances on the process. In addition, important
information such as stream pressures, equipment sizes, and major control loops is included.
Finally, the piping and instrumentation diagram contains all the process information necessary for
the construction of the plant. These data include pipe sizes and the location of all instrumentation
for both the process and utility streams.
• In addition to the three diagrams, there are a number of other diagrams used in the construction
and engineering phase of a project. However, these diagrams contain little additional information
about the process.
Doubts?