Koya University
Faculty Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Eng. Drawings
P&ID Symbols
Prepared by: Supervised by:
Ayman Sirwan Mrs. Rawezh M. Mustafa
Omar Muhammad
Akam Ismail
2024-2025
Table of Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................................3
How P&IDs are created...........................................................................................................3
1.Compile Data:...................................................................................................................3
2. Create a Simple Layout:.................................................................................................3
3. Symbol Alignment and Selection:..................................................................................3
4. Illustration of Piping’s:...................................................................................................4
5. Integration of Instruments:............................................................................................4
6. Evaluation and Improvement:.......................................................................................4
Extra Things to Think About:............................................................................................4
Software Resources:............................................................................................................4
P&ID Meanings and Usages....................................................................................................5
P&ID Symbols Abbreviations.................................................................................................6
Types of P&ID Symbols...........................................................................................................7
P&ID Symbols for Piping...................................................................................................7
P&ID Symbols for Pumps.......................................................................................................8
P&ID Symbols for Valves....................................................................................................8
Symbols for P&ID Instrumentation..................................................................................9
Symbols for Vessel P&ID....................................................................................................9
P&ID Symbols for Heat Exchangers.................................................................................9
Symbols for Compressor P&ID..........................................................................................9
Line Symbols for P&ID.......................................................................................................9
P&ID Symbols: International Standards and Guidelines..................................................10
Typical Issues with P&ID Symbol Implementation and Their Fixes................................10
Some Advice on Using P&ID Symbols.................................................................................10
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................11
References...............................................................................................................................11
Figure 1 P&ID Meaning and usage...................................................................5
Figure 2 abbreviations of P&ID Symbols.........................................................6
Figure 3 Piping P&ID Symbols.........................................................................7
Figure 4 Pumps P&ID Symbols.........................................................................8
Figure 5 Valve P&ID Symbols...........................................................................8
Figure 6 Instrumentation P&ID Symbols........................................................9
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Introduction
P&ID diagrams are created using particular, conventional shapes and symbols.
Many symbols are needed since this design covers a wide range of diagram
kinds due to the wide variety of industries. These diagrams offer a design road
map for the engineering system, which is useful for locating and resolving
issues. Actuators, machinery, flow components, instrumentation, piping fittings,
valves, and more are among the most widely used instruments. The P&ID
symbols, which include instruments, equipment, heat exchangers, vessels,
piping, motors, and connecting lines, are accepted in the industry. (WEM, 2000)
How P&IDs are created
A P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) must be created by following a
few crucial procedures in order to accurately and clearly depict the industrial
process. The standard workflow is broken down as follows:
1.Compile Data:
Process Flowsheet: This acts as the framework, listing the main actions and
tools needed for the process.
Equipment inventory: A comprehensive inventory of all the tools that will be
utilized, along with information on their capacities, uses, and specifications.
Instrument Data: Details about the particular instruments, together with their
types and tag numbers, that are required for monitoring and control.
2. Create a Simple Layout:
Equipment Placement: Engineers arrange each piece of equipment logically
within the plant based on the process flowsheet and equipment list.
Interconnectivity Planning: In order to facilitate material flow throughout the
process, the initial plan takes into account how equipment will be connected
with piping.
3. Symbol Alignment and Selection:
defined Symbols: On the P&ID, engineers portray various pieces of equipment
and instruments using a set of defined symbols.
P&IDs can be manually drawn or generated with the use of specialized software
that offers libraries of these symbols. (isa, 2003)
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4. Illustration of Piping’s:
Flow Lines: To show the direction of material flow inside a process, arrows are
added to piping symbols.
Pipe Sizing and Labelling: Some P&IDs may incorporate pipe sizes or labels
for particular types of piping materials, even though they aren't always
displayed in detail.
5. Integration of Instruments:
Instrument Symbols: With clear labelling and tag numbers, the selected
instruments are represented by the relevant symbols on the P&ID.
Control Loops: P&IDs for intricate processes may include control loops, which
show how valves and instruments cooperate to maintain desired process
conditions.
6. Evaluation and Improvement:
Cross-checking: To guarantee accuracy and compliance with the process
flowsheet, equipment list, and instrument data, the P&ID is carefully examined.
Collaboration: To improve the P&ID and make sure it accurately conveys the
process, engineers from different disciplines (process, mechanical, and
instrumentation) may work together.
Extra Things to Think About:
Project Complexity: Depending on how complicated the process is, a P&ID's
level of detail may change. Complex processes could need more complex
P&IDs, whereas simple systems might have less comprehensive information.
Project Requirements: The format and degree of detail needed for the P&ID
may be determined by the client's demands or by certain industry standards.
Software Resources:
Specialized P&ID software is used by many engineering firms to expedite the
procedure. These software programs provide capabilities for simpler
collaboration and version control, as well as libraries of standardized symbols
and automatic drawing functions.
Through adherence to these guidelines and utilization of appropriate
instruments, engineers can produce lucid and enlightening P&IDs that function
as a useful guide throughout an industrial plant's lifespan. (isa, 2003)
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P&ID Meanings and Usages
P&ID symbols are used to express particular details about the parts of a process
system. Specific meanings are assigned to each type of symbol in an industry-
standard notational system. The symbols are divided into a number of
categories, such as instrumentation symbols, piping symbols, pump symbols,
valve symbols, vessel symbols, and p&ID equipment symbols. Subcategories
within these main categories frequently cover a broad spectrum of particular
symbol designs. (dombor, 2001)
Category Symbol Meaning Usage
P&ID Equipment Various symbols Mechanical equipment, Depict equipment or
Symbols representing process devices, and device locations in a
different types other hardware process
components
Piping P&ID Lines, elbows, Fluid transportation and Represent piping
Symbols reducers, flanges, connections in process pathways and flow
etc. systems direction
Pump P&ID Centrifugal, gear, Different types of pumps Indicate pump locations
Symbols sump, vacuum, for fluid transportation and types
screw, etc.
Valve P&ID Gate, check, globe, Regulate, direct, or Show valve locations,
Symbols ball, butterfly, etc. control the flow of fluids in types, and flow control
process systems
Vessel P&ID Tanks, cylinders, Containers used to store, Represent vessel
Symbols columns, bags, etc. process, or transport locations, shapes, and
fluids capacities
P&ID Sensors, Measurement and control Depict instrument
Instrumentation transmitters, devices for various locations and
Symbols meters, etc. process parameters interconnections
Heat Exchangers Boilers, Devices for transferring Indicate heat exchanger
P&ID Symbols condensers, etc. heat between fluids or locations and types
surfaces
Compressor P&ID Axial, reciprocating, Devices that compress Represent compressor
Symbols rotary, etc. gases or force air into locations and types
other objects
Motor P&ID Electric motors, Power sources for Depict motor locations,
Symbols generators, etc. equipment and devices types, and power sources
within process systems
P&ID Line Electrical, Signal transmission Represent connections,
Symbols pneumatic, data between equipment, communication, and signal
lines, etc. instruments, and types
components
Figure 1 P&ID Meaning and usage
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P&ID Symbols Abbreviations
At the same time, from an English alphabet standpoint, you also need to know
most of the time X serves as a “Catch All” for everything that is not normal
defined in P&ID’s. Things like Pressure (P), Weight (W), Temperature (T) and
Flow (F) are self-evident but a X may be many different things depending on
the device. That is why it will not be defined on the drawing. Understanding
these categories and the meanings attached to their associated symbols is
essential for
Figure 2 abbreviations of P&ID Symbols
professionals involved in designing, operating, and maintaining process systems
1-The label, which consists of three letters, indicates the instrument, the
parameter being monitored, and what it accomplishes. Hence, "FIC" is
displayed;
F -> In this case, flow is the parameter being monitored.
I -> Here, the instrument serves as an indicator.
C -> Instrument, in this case the Controller.
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2-The Control loop is the third figure located beneath the horizontal line.
(dombor, 2001)
Types of P&ID Symbols
P&ID symbols are arranged based on their industrial applications and functions.
Pipework, instruments, pumps, valves, vessels, heat exchangers, compressors,
and equipment are the main categories.
P&ID Symbols for Piping
The different parts of a process system's fluid conveyance are represented by
piping P&ID symbols. Pipes, fittings, flanges, reducers, couplings, and other
fluid transport devices can be examples of these. The functional relationships
between the piping components in a process system are represented and
understood by engineers and technicians with the use of piping symbols.
(WEM, 2000)
Figure 3 Piping P&ID Symbols
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P&ID Symbols for Pumps
Different types of pumps used in process systems, including centrifugal, gear,
sump, vacuum, and screw pumps, are represented by pump symbols in P&ID
diagrams. Pump symbols are important because they tell us important things
about how different pumps work, how they are connected, and which way the
fluid flows through the system. (dombor, 2001)
Figure 4 Pumps P&ID Symbols
P&ID Symbols for Valves
In process systems that guide, regulate, or control fluid flow, valves are essential
parts. P&ID symbols for valves aid in communicating the many kinds and
functions of valves in a system. The symbols for globe, ball, butterfly, check,
and gate valves are a few examples of frequently used valve symbols. Valves
throughout Europe may have slightly different symbols due to regional coding
norms or preferences. These symbols are necessary to accurately represent the
types, positions, and functions of valves in a process system.
Figure 5 Valve P&ID Symbols
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Symbols for P&ID Instrumentation
P&ID diagrams' instrumentation symbols stand for equipment that monitors and
regulates a process system's flow, temperature, pressure, and tilt, among other
characteristics. Meters, transmitters, sensors, indicators, and other kinds of
measurement and control devices are examples of the instrumentation symbols.
Figure 6 Instrumentation P&ID Symbols
Symbols for Vessel P&ID
In a process system, the different kinds of containers used to store fluids are
represented by vessel symbols. Symbols for tanks, cylinders, columns, bags,
and other objects are examples of vessels. The capacities, forms, and
characteristics of various containers within a system are made easier for
engineers and technicians to comprehend by using these symbols.
P&ID Symbols for Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers are components of process systems that move heat energy from
one surface, fluid, or area to another. Equipment such as condensers, boilers,
and other heat transfer devices are represented by heat exchanger P&ID
symbols.
Symbols for Compressor P&ID
In P&ID diagrams, machines that compress gases or force air into other objects
are represented by compressor symbols. These symbols correspond to several
types of compressors found in process systems, such as rotary, reciprocating,
and axial-compressors.
Symbols for Motor P&ID
P&ID diagrams with motor symbols show the devices that power or drive
different kinds of process system equipment. Electric motor, generator, and
other power source symbols are commonly found on motors.
Line Symbols for P&ID
P&ID diagrams use line symbols to illustrate the signal transmission between
instruments, equipment, and other parts of a process system. The type of signal
being used—such as electrical, pneumatic, or data connections—is indicated by
these symbols. (LC, 2002)
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P&ID Symbols: International Standards and Guidelines
The process sector is bound by a plethora of international regulations and
recommendations for the proper use of P&ID symbols. Standardized P&ID
notation is supported by a number of organizations, including the International
Society of Automation (ISA) and the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). Similar to guaranteeing a common "alphabet" in a written language,
adherence to these standards facilitates efficient and understandable
communication between project teams, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
Email-based systems for collaboration and communication can also be very
helpful in ensuring that P&ID standards are accessible and consistent across
teams.
Typical Issues with P&ID Symbol Implementation and Their
Fixes
There are several recurring issues that the process sector experiences while
implementing P&ID symbols. These include making sure that team members
are on the same page and understand each other, maintaining current with
technical developments, and remaining informed of industry standards. These
problems can be addressed with the use of collaborative software tools,
organizational guidelines, and routine training. Maintaining current knowledge
of P&ID symbols and their meanings can be crucial to enhancing process
system designs, much like having an updated "dictionary" list. (dombor, 2001)
Some Advice on Using P&ID Symbols
1-Select symbols in accordance with industry norms to guarantee
interoperability and comprehension between stakeholders and teams.
2-To add further context and information, give each symbol a clear, succinct
label or comment.
3-Keep the symbols in their appropriate sizes, proportions, and spacing to make
the diagram easier to read and clutter-free.
4-To improve organization and accessibility, use layers in your P&ID diagrams,
dividing them into categories like electrical, instrumentation, pipeline, and
equipment.
5-P&ID diagrams should be updated on a regular basis to reflect alterations to
processes, updates to equipment, and changes to system components.
6-To increase uniformity and expedite the design process, make use of software
that includes P&ID symbol libraries and templates already installed.
7-To guarantee that team members and stakeholders have access to the most
recent P&ID diagrams, incorporate version control and document management
protocols.
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Conclusion
P&ID symbols and their application will probably alter as industry standards
and technology progress in order to accommodate new machinery, systems, and
procedures. The usage of intelligent P&ID symbols, which can offer real-time
data and analysis for better decision making, may be on the rise. Another
emerging trend is the integration of P&ID symbols with other software
programs to promote efficiency and collaboration. Professionals can better meet
the demands of today's dynamic process industry landscape by keeping up with
developments in P&ID symbol usage and implementing them into their work .
References
dombor, 2001. dombor. [Online]
Available at: https://www.dombor.com/meanings-and-usages-of-pid-symbols/
[Accessed 11 5 2024].
isa, 2003. isa. [Online]
Available at: https://www.isa.org/
[Accessed 11 5 2024].
LC, 2002. LC. [Online]
Available at: https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/p-id-symbols-legend
[Accessed 11 5 2024].
WEM, 2000. WEM. [Online]
Available at: https://www.edrawmax.com/article/p-and-id-symbols.html
[Accessed 11 5 2024].
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