Questions: Instrumentation diagrams

c 2002-2003 Tony R. Kuphaldt

Copyright °
• Learning Objectives:
• Interpret Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID).
• Draw Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID) according to written descriptions.
• Interpret loop diagrams.
• Interpret SAMA diagrams.
• Draw SAMA diagrams according to P&ID schematics.

Question 1

Describe all that is represented by this P&ID (”flowsheet”) symbol:

LT
2

Question 2

Describe all that is represented by this P&ID (”flowsheet”) symbol:

I
P
FY
121

Question 3

Describe all that is represented by this P&ID (”flowsheet”) symbol:

TV
34
M

Question 4

What type of device is represented here? Answer as specifically as you can.

Question 4.5

1
 Identify the following valve and actuator types:

Question 5

Draw the type of line used to represent a capillary tube, like the kind of tubing used to connect a ”filled
system” temperature sensing bulb to an indicator.

Question 6

Describe all that is represented by this P&ID (”flowsheet”) symbol:

TT

Question 7

Describe all that is represented by this P&ID:

return
S

HS 1500 PSIG
S

return

2
Question 7.5

What type of line is this?

Question 7.7

The following pairs of line types have identical meaning in P&ID schematics. What do these line types
represent, and why do we have different line types representing the same thing?

Question 8

Describe all that is represented by this P&ID:

FC

LT
1
LIR
1
PI
LY
IP 1a
LY LIC
1b 1

Question 9

Draw a P&ID representing everything shown in this pictorial illustration (show the controller located
in the main control room, with all other instruments field-mounted):

3
 Cold fluid
in

Air-to-close
valve
Steam in

Transducer Heat exchanger

I/P Controller
PV SP

Out
Warm fluid
Air supply Steam out out
Thermocouple

TT

Temperature
transmitter

Question 10

Describe all that is represented by this P&ID:

FRC
25

FT
25 E
/H FV
25

Question 10.5

How does this control system differ from the one shown in question #10?

FRC
25

FT
25 E
/H FV
25

4
Question 10.7

How does this control system differ from the one shown in question #10.5?

FRK
25

FT
25 E
/H FV
25

Question 11

Describe all that is represented by this P&ID:

LT LIC
135 135
radar
LI
135

LY AS
135 20 PSI

AS
100 PSI

Question 12

Describe all that is represented by this P&ID:

5
 PSH

PAH PSHH PSL

Compressor
M

Filter

Blowdown

Question 13

Correct all mistakes in this P&ID:

FY
FT

"Wild" flow

SP
PV
FC

FT

6
Question 14

Draw a P&ID for a temperature control system on a steam-heated oven, using:

• An RTD as the primary sensing element

• An electronic, field-mounted temperature transmitter
• A front-panel-mounted electronic temperature indicating controller (central control room)
• A front-panel-mounted temperature indicator (auxiliary control room)
• A field-mounted temperature indicator
• A butterfly valve for steam flow control to the oven
• A pneumatic piston actuator on the control valve, with electropneumatic positioner

Question 15

Draw the P&ID for a greenhouse temperature control system, using:

• A thermistor as the primary sensing element

• An electronic, field-mounted temperature transmitter
• An electronic, field-mounted temperature recording controller
• An electric fan for cooling
• An SCR-based variable speed drive (”power controller”) to power the fan motor

Indicate the necessary control action (direct or reverse) for the temperature controller on your P&ID.

Greenhouse

Question 16

What kind of schematic diagram is this, and how does it differ from a P&ID?

7
 Loop Diagram: Iso-butane tower pressure Revised by: D.P. Cell Date: April 1, 2003

Field process area Field Control room

panel

TB64 TB27 ES 24 VDC (+)

CBL 290
PT + 8 15
325 - 9 16
250Ω + PIR
17 - 325
PY
Iso-butane L1
tower 325
L2
- - - - G

ES 24 VDC (-) ES 120VAC

60 Hz

Tag number Description Manufacturer Model Calibration Notes

0-100 PSIG
PT-325 Gauge pressure transmitter Rosemount 1151GP 4-20 mA Check calibration monthly
PY-325 250 Ω resistor n/a n/a +/- 0.1 %
PIR-325 Pressure indicating recorder Leeds & Northrup 165 1-5 VDC Shared by other loops

Question 16.5

Draw a P&ID representing the measurement system shown in the diagram of question #16.

Question 17

Suppose the pressure recorder shown in question #16 was registering 0 PSI when there was suspected
to be pressure in the iso-butane tower. You are in the control room, and you have your tools with you.
Identify a way to determine if the problem is in the recorder or in the rest of the loop, by simply taking one
voltage measurement.

Question 18

Examine this diagram:

8
 Loop Diagram: Compressor surge control Revised by: I. Hate Surge Date: April 1, 2003

Field process area Field Panel rear Panel front

panel
JB JB
0-200 PSID
30 CBL24 1 1 FIC
CBL25
PDT + 8 1 2 42
4-20 mA CBL21 PR1
42 - 9 2 3
CBL26
0-1500 SCFM
10 3 4
5
60 Hz
4-20 mA ES 120VAC 6
I
P FY + 11 4
Compressor 42b
PR2 L1
- 12 5
CBL22 L2
S 13 6 G
G
L2
AS 20 PSI L1
FT + 14 7 + FY + ES 120VAC
4-20 mA CBL23 PR3
42 - 15 8 - 42a - 60 Hz
CBL27
0-1500 SCFM 16 9

If the screw on terminal JB1-4 were to come loose, breaking the connection between the two wires joined
at that point, what would happen to the compressor?

Question 19

The shield conductor on cable 27 is not grounded (for the compressor surge control system shown in
question #18). Is this a problem? Why or why not?

Question 20

Shown here is another compressor surge control system, differently implemented from the one shown in
question #18. Describe how this control system differs from that shown in question #18.
Loop Diagram: Compressor surge control Revised by: I. Hate Surge Date: April 1, 2004

Field process area Field Control room

panel

0-200 PSID

PDT + 8
4-20 mA CBL21
42 - 9
10
PIR
I
4-20 mA 42
P FY + 11
Compressor CBL22 FC RJ-58 cable FIR
42b - 12 D D
42 42
S 13 L1
L1
L2
L2
AS 20 PSI G
L3
FT + 14
42
4-20 mA CBL23 G
- 15 ES 120VAC
0-1500 SCFM 16 60 Hz
ES 208 VAC 60 Hz

9
Question 21

Suppose the RJ-58 cable shown in the diagram of question #20 were to become disconnected at one
end. Based on your analysis of the system, how will this cable failure affect the compressor?

Question 21.5

Given the cable failure described in question #21, how would you recommend the system be modified
so as to minimize any loss of system capability?

Question 22

Describe what SAMA diagrams are, how they compare to P&ID’s and loop diagrams, and what indus-
try(ies) they are most likely to be used in.

Question 23

Identify the meanings of each of the symbols within this SAMA diagram:

FT

d
K ∫ dt

A T A

FCV

Question 24

The following SAMA diagrams represent different controller options in a flow control loop. Identify each
of the features:

10
 FT
FT FT

D
A T

P I D P I P I

A T A A T A T A

FCV FCV FCV

Question 25

What is the difference between a solid line and a dashed line in a SAMA diagram?

Question 26

Draw a SAMA diagram depicting the control strategy shown here in this P&ID (assume the use of
regular PID controllers):

FT
+
Σ
FY "Wild" flow
+

LIC

LT
SP
PV
FC

FT

To pumps

11
 Short answers

Answer 1

This is a level transmitter (part of loop #2), field-mounted, with electronic output (probably 4-20 mA).

Answer 2

This is a current-to-pressure (”I to P”) transducer (part of loop #121), field-mounted, with electronic
input and pneumatic output, used in a flow loop.

Answer 3

This is a characterized ball valve (part of loop #34), electrically actuated, and controlled by an electronic
signal (probably 4-20 mA). It is fail-open, and used to control temperature.

Answer 4

This is a control valve. Technically, this combination of symbols represents a globe valve with a pneu-
matic diaphragm actuator. However, it may simply be a generic symbol for a control valve!

Answer 4.5

Solenoid Pneumatic Pneumatic

diaphragm diaphragm
S Hand

Angle globe Globe Plug

Electric motor Piston Pneumatic

Hand
M

Plug
Butterfly Gate Pinch

Answer 5

12
Answer 6

This is an infra-red or optical temperature transmitter with electronic output (probably 4-20 mA).

Answer 7

This is a hydraulically actuated (piston) globe valve, with hydraulic fluid controlled by two 3-way
solenoid valves. The actuator itself is double-acting (fluid applied to both sides of piston).

Answer 7.5

This type of line is ”undefined.”

Answer 7.7

The pair of lines on the left represent continuous electric signals. The pair of lines on the right represent
binary (on-off) electric signals.
The upper line in each pair is the American symbol, while the lower line in each pair is the International
symbol.

Answer 8

This is a level control system, measuring vessel level and controlling by varying the amount of liquid
entering the vessel. A hand-operated butterfly valve allows liquid to exit the vessel. The control valve is
fail-closed.
The field instrumentation is pneumatic, with transducers mounted behind the main control room panel
to convert between pneumatic field signals and electronic control room signals. The controller itself is a
function of a front-panel instrument with other functions. An auxiliary control room holds an indicating
recorder, mounted on the front of the panel there.

Answer 9

AS

I
P

TY

TIC

TT

13
Answer 10

This is a flow control system (loop #25), using an electronic differential pressure transmitter measuring
pressure drop across an orifice plate, transmitting that signal to a computer (recording) flow controller
which performs the square root extraction in software. The computer then sends an electronic signal to an
electro-hydraulic actuator mounted on a butterfly valve.

Answer 10.5

Instead of using a dedicated computer to control flow, the process uses a shared controller. I’ll let you
research what this means, exactly.

Answer 10.7

The letter ”K” designates a control station: a control function located within a larger group of control
functions in a single piece of control equipment. This designation is optional, as it is possible to denote the
same type of function using other P&ID symbology.

Answer 11

This is a level control system (loop #135), using a radar level transmitter and a field-mounted indicator.
An indicating controller located on the front of an auxiliary control panel receives the level signal electrically
via wires, then sends a controlling signal to a field-mounted I/P transducer. The valve is a globe type (or
perhaps generic), with a piston actuator and positioner. Air supplies for both the positioner (100 PSI) and
the transducer (20 PSI) are shown.

Answer 12

This is a pressure control system for an air compressor. It uses two pressure switches, a high (”PSH”)
and a low (”PSL”), sending on-off electrical signals to a logic control circuit (possibly a PLC). The logic
then turns the compressor motor on or off.
A rupture disk is provided at the receiver tank for high pressure relief, and a hand-operated ball valve
provides blowdown control.
I’ll let you determine what the ”PSHH” and ”PAH” units are for.

Answer 13

Problems:
• Square root extractor (”FY”) is not needed on a turbine flow transmitter.
• ∆P flow transmitter is electronic, sending PV signal into a pneumatic controller without I/P conversion.
• One of the process directional arrows is pointing toward the vessel, where it should be pointing away.

Answer 14

14
 RTD
TT

Oven TI

TI

TIC
Steam

Answer 15

RA

Thermistor
TRC TT

Greenhouse

ES JC M Fan

Answer 16

This is a loop diagram, and it gives a more detailed view of the instruments and wiring in a measurement
system than a P&ID.

Answer 16.5

15
 PT PY PIR
325 325 325

Iso-butane
tower

Answer 17

Measure the voltage dropped across PY-325.

Answer 18

The anti-surge valve would open wide, thus bypassing much of the compressor’s flow from output to
input.

Answer 19

This is probably not a concern, because the cable spans such a short distance.

Answer 20

This system uses a distributed surge controller instead of one located at the main control room.

Answer 21

Ideally, there would be no impact on the compressor’s operation.

Answer 21.5

Install redundant cabling between the field panel and control room.

Answer 22

A SAMA diagram is a special type of diagram used to show the functional elements of measurement
and control systems. Similar to a P&ID, a SAMA diagram concentrates on describing the control strategy
of a system rather than the process vessels and piping.

Answer 23

16
R The circle depicts a flow transmitter (”FT”). The box with the delta (∆) symbol, as well as the K,
, and d/dt symbols, represents a PID controller. The diamond-shaped boxes represent manual signal
processing blocks, the ”A” boxes representing points where a human operator may adjust a value. The left-
hand ”A” box is the setpoint adjustment, while the right-hand ”A” box is the manual output adjustment.
The ”T” box represents the transfer switch between Auto and Manual modes on the controller.
Trapezoidal boxes represent final control elements, such as control valves and variable-speed motor
drives. In this case, a flow control valve (”FCV”) with a positioner is shown.

Answer 24

Left diagram: Regular PID controller.

Center diagram: PID controller with derivative calculated on PV only (not error).
Right diagram: PI controller with setpoint tracking.

Answer 25

Solid lines represent continuous signals, while dashed lines represent binary (on-off) signals.

Answer 26

"Wild" flow Vessel level Flow to pumps

FT LT FT

d
K ∫ dt
d
K ∫ dt

A T A I
T A

Σ
FCV

17