Typical P&ID arrangement for 3 phase

separator vessels

3 phase separators are commonly used in upstream oil and gas industry to separate oil,
gas and water stream coming from the oil wells. This typical P&ID arrangement can be
modified and used for other separator vessels as well.

1. Proper vessel symbol should be selected first of all, as shown in the presented
drawing. This should be selected from the list of equipment symbols on the
legend sheets of a particular project.{adinserter 1}
2. Separator vessel internals should then be indicated as per proper symbols on the
legend sheets. These internals can be inlet vane, vortex breaker on the outlet
lines, demister pads on gas outlets, weir plate separating the oil and water
compartments etc.
3. All the nozzles on the separator vessel should then be correctly represented with
size and flanges. This includes inlet and outlet nozzles, drains, vents, PSV
connection and instrument nozzles, as shown in the sample drawing presented
here. Typical instrumentation on the vessel would be level gauges and
 transmitters on oil and water compartments of the vessel plus pressure gauge
and transmitters linked to pressure control or alarms as applicable.
4. Inlet and outlet lines are the next to be drawn up. Line number, material class,
size etc. is to be correctly assigned to each of the lines.{adinserter 1}
5. Isolation valves, spectacle blinds, spacers etc. to be used for maintenance should
be drawn up next on the inlet / outlet lines. The spectacle blinds, spacers etc. are
usually connected right next to the isolation valves and equipment nozzles, as
indicated in the sample drawing presented here.
6. Instrumentation on the vessel should be drawn up next. Typically this would
include level gauges, level transmitters, pressure gauges, pressure transmitters as
per requirement for control, alarm and trip if applicable. The sample drawing
presented here only indicates transmitters, but generally they are accompanied
by gauges for local indication and also transmitters for alarms and trips.
7. Various control valves should be drawn up next wherever applicable. Sample
drawing indicates level control on oil and water outlet lines. Plus pressure control
is indicated on the vapor outlet to flare. These control valves should be equipped
with either a bypass or handwheel as per project standards, to continue vessel
operation in case of control valve maintenance.
8. Drains should be provided either on the vessel or on the bottom outlet lines for
complete draining of the vessel and associated piping for maintenance purpose.
Sample drawing has indicated drains on the outlet lines through which the vessel
and piping can be completely drained. Usually the vessel also has nozzles
connecting it directly to the draining system.{adinserter 2}
9. Vents can be present either on the vessel itself or on the vapor outlet line, so that
the vessel and associated piping can be completely vented for maintenance. Vent
connected directly to vessel is indicated in the sample drawing.
10. In most cases the vessel is provided with a blanketing gas connection. This
blanketing connection can be with or without pressure control. Although not
indicated in the sample drawing, it is important to consider the blanketing gas
connection to the vessel.
11. For purging the vessel with nitrogen, a connection can be provided directly on
the vessel. In some cases purging can be done with steam.
12. All the guidelines given here are very general and may be modified as per specific
requirements of any particular project.
Typical arrangement for Centrifugal
Compressor P&ID

Figure 1 - Typical centrifugal compressor P&ID

1. Proper centrifugal compressor symbol should be selected first, as shown in

figure-1. Normally, a centrifugal compressor is accompanied by a Knock Out
Drum (KOD) at the compressor suction and an aftercooler at the compressor
discharge, as per a typical compressor PFD.Symbols for these equipments should
also be placed on the P&ID before proceeding ahead. All the equipment symbols
should be selected from the legend sheets of a particular project.{adinserter 1}
2. All the nozzles on the compressor, suction drums and aftercooler should then be
correctly represented with size and flanges. This includes inlet and outlet nozzles
and equipment drains / vents as shown in the typical P&ID in figure-1.
3. Centrifugal compressor suction KOD is intended for removing the entrained
liquids before sending gas to the compressor. Demister, mesh pad etc. are used
in the knock out drum to efficiently remove the liquid droplets.
4. Compressor aftercoolers are generally air coolers and the related fan, motor etc.
should be clearly indicated on the P&ID. If cooling water is used, proper symbol
for a heat exchanger should be used.
5. Inlet, outlet lines for each equipment, anti-surge line, drain/vent lines, line to the
relief valve etc. are the next to be drawn up. Line number, material class, size etc.
is to be correctly assigned to each of the lines.
6. Isolation valves, spectacle blinds, spacers etc. to be used for maintenance should
be drawn up next on various lines between the equipments. Requirement for
isolation valves, spectacle blind, spaces etc. depend on the project standards,
which should be followed while indicating these on the P&ID. Sometimes, to
minimize the number of isolation valves between the equipment, they can be
placed only at the suction KOD inlet which is inlet of the centrifugal compressor
system and discharge of the aftercooler which turns out to be the outlet of the
centrifugal compressor system. Spectacle blinds or spacers can be used for
isolation between individual equipments for quick maintenance. This is simply a
guideline and project standards need to be followed when indicating the
isolation requirements.{adinserter 2}
7. A check valve should be normally provided on the compressor discharge to avoid
reverse flow when the pump is not in operation.
8. Pressure relief valves can be provided on the compressor discharge line,
downstream to the check valve, to protect the equipments downstream of
compressor.
9. Pressure gauges should be provided on suction and discharge of the compressor.
Level gauges need to be located on the compressor suction knock out drum and
temperature gauges on inlet, outlet lines for the aftercooler.
10. Pressure transmitters should be provided on compressor suction and discharge
line. A flow transmitter should be provided on compressor suction line. Signals
from these transmitters are sent to an ‘Anti-Surge Controller’. Based on the gas
flow and differential pressure head developed by the compressor, the anti-surge
controller operates the anti-surge valves to prevent compressor surge condition.
11. An anti-surge line from the aftercooler discharge to the suction KOD inlet should
be provided for anti-surge control. When the compressor approaches surge
condition (low flow, high differential head), the anti-surge valves open up to
lower the pressure differential and circulate higher gas flow.
12. Sometimes, a performance controller can be included in the centrifugal
compressor system to control the rotating speed (RPM) of the compressor based
on inlet pressure, flow etc. in order to achieve optimum performance.
Performance controller will typically adjust the motor/turbine speed.
13. Level transmitters provided on the suction knock out drum are responsible for
liquid level control in the drum. Alarms are usually provided for high and high
high liquid level conditions.
14. Temperature transmitter can be provided on aftercooler for temperature control
by sending a signal to adjust the fan speed of the aircooler.{adinserter 1}
 15. Emergency Shutdown (ESD) valves can be provided on inlet / outlet lines of the
compressors system to isolate whole system in case of a shutdown. The inlet line
of the suction KOD corresponds to inlet of the compressor system. Aftercooler
discharge and liquid outlet of suction knock out drum correspond to the outlet
lines of the compressor system. Shutdown valves can be located on these lines as
shown in figure-1.
16. Drains and vents to be provided on the suction / discharge lines, compressor
casing, suction Knock Out Drum, air cooler body etc. for completely
draining/venting compressor and associated piping, for maintenance.
17. For purging the compressor system, a nitrogen connection can be provided right
after the first isolation valve on the suction KOD inlet line.
18. All the guidelines given here are very general and may be modified as per specific
requirements of any particular project.

Control Valves – Typical P&ID

arrangement

1. The sample drawing presented here represents a typical arrangement generally

used to represent control valves on P&ID. Depending on the projects legend
sheets, control valves may be represented by globe or gate valves. Here a globe
valve symbol is used. First of all a proper valve symbol should be selected to
represent the control valve as per the project standards.{adinserter 1}
2. Generally, the control valve size is smaller than the corresponding line size. This
change in diameter should be clearly indicated in the P&ID with reducer and
expander.
3. Block valves should be provided upstream and downstream of the control valves
in case of shutdown and maintenance.
4. A drain valve is normally provided between the control valve and upstream block
valve. If the control valve is of 'Fail Open' type, this drain valve is sufficient to
drain the piping segment. If the control valve is of 'Fail Close' or 'Fail in Position'
type, then additional drain valve is required between the control valve and
downstream block valve as shown in the sample drawing.
5. Normally, either a bypass or a handwheel is provided for control valves which are
under continuous service. If two or more control valves are installed in parallel,
bypass or handwheel is not required.
6. The choice between providing either a bypass or a handwheel for the control
valve is made based on the size of the control valve. For control valves bigger
than a certain size, provision of handwheel is preferred. For control valves smaller
than certain size, provision of bypass with block valves is preferred. For control
valves on certain critical services, a spare control valve may be installed on the
bypass of main control valve. This limiting control valve size between handwheel
and bypass is specific for a project and may vary from one project to
another.{adinserter 1}
7. If the control valve is equipped with a handwheel, then only the drain between
control valve and upstream block valve is sufficient for draining by opening the
control valve using handwheel.
8. Normally globe valve is selected as the bypass valve on the control valve as it
allows better control with opening.{adinserter 2}
9. Additional details such as failure position, tightness class, # rating etc. are also
indicated on the P&ID for control valves, as per the project standards.
10. All the guidelines given here are very general and may be modified as per specific
requirements of any particular project.
Typical P&ID arrangement for Heat
Exchangers

1. Proper equipment symbol should be selected first of all, as shown in the

presented drawing. This should be selected from the list of equipment symbols
on the legend sheets of a particular project.{adinserter 1}
2. All the nozzles on the exchanger should then be correctly represented with size
and flanges. This includes inlet and outlet nozzles, drains, vents, utility
connections etc.
3. Inlet and outlet lines are the next to be drawn up. Line number, material class,
size etc. is to be correctly assigned to each of the lines. If the unit is envisaged to
be in operation while the exchanger is under maintenance, then bypass lines
should be drawn up on shellside, tubeside or on both sides as shown in the
drawing presented here.{adinserter 1}
4. Isolation valves, spectacle blinds, spacers etc. to be used for maintenance should
be drawn up next on the inlet / outlet lines. Bypass lines to be fitted with
normally closed isolation valves.
5. Thermal relief valve should be provided where required. Generally thermal relief
valves are required on the cold liquid streams, when there is a possibility of
blockage in the heating medium on the other side of exchanger. In case of such
 blockage, there is possibility of overheating the cold stream and hence
requirement for thermal relief valve. Discharge of a relief valve to be routed to an
appropriate, safe location.
6. Drains and vents to be provided on both sides of the exchanger (hot and cold
sides), either on the exchanger itself or inlet / outlet piping, so that the
equipment can be completely drained for maintenance.
7. For fouling service on the tubeside, utility connections should be provided as
indicated in the presented drawing, for cleaning purpose.{adinserter 2}
8. Temperature and pressure gauges and transmitters to be provided as per
requirements for operating and controlling the equipment. Normally temperature
monitoring is required for the process side of the heat exchanger. Also generally
temperature control is implemented on the process side of the exchanger.
9. All the guidelines given here are very general and may be modified as per specific
requirements of any particular project.

Typical P&ID arrangement for pumps

1. Proper pump symbol should be selected first of all, as shown in the

presented drawing. This should be selected from the list of equipment
symbols on the legend sheets of a particular project.{adinserter 1}
2. All the nozzles on the pump should then be correctly represented with
size and flanges. This includes inlet and outlet nozzles and casing drains
and vents as shown in the sample drawing presented here. Generally,
the suction and discharge nozzles on the pump are smaller than suction
and discharge line sizes. Appropriate reducer / expander to be clearly
indicated in such cases.
3. Inlet and outlet lines are the next to be drawn up. Line number, material
class, size etc. is to be correctly assigned to each of the lines.
4. Isolation valves, spectacle blinds, spacers etc. to be used for
maintenance should be drawn up next on the inlet / outlet lines. The
isolation valves on suction and discharge lines should be 'Locked Open'
in case of automatic pump start-up.{adinserter 1}
5. Inlet line to the pump is to be fitted with a strainer for pump protection.
This strainer can be equipped with a pressure differential gauge to
monitor blockage in the strainer.
6. Pressure gauges are normally to be provided on suction and discharge
of the pump. In addition, pressure transmitters connected to Emergency
Shutdown (ESD) system can also be provided as per requirements.
7. A check valve should be normally provided on the pump discharge to
avoid reverse flow when the pump is not in operation.
8. Downstream to the check valve on the pump discharge, minimum flow
recirculation line for the pump needs to be provided. A flowmeter
should be provided before the minimum flow line, as shown on the
presented sample drawing.
9. A flow control valve with or without bypass is then to be provided on
the minimum flow recirculation line. The isolation valves for this control
valve need to be locked open or sealed open and the FCV should be of
'Fail Open' type. The minimum recirculation line is normally routed back
to the suction vessel of the pump.
10. Drains and vents to be provided on the suction / discharge lines,
minimum flow line and on pump casing, so that the pump and
associated piping can be completely drained for maintenance.
11. For purging the pump with nitrogen, a connection should be provided
right after isolation valve on the suction line. This connection can also be
used as a drain.{adinserter 2}
 12. Temperature gauges and transmitters to be provided as per
requirements for operating and controlling the equipment.
13. All the guidelines given here are very general and may be modified as
per specific requirements of any particular project.

Pressure Safety Valves – Typical P&ID

arrangement

1. The sample drawing presented here represents a typical arrangement generally

used to represent safety valves or relief valves on P&ID. First of all a proper safety
valve symbol should be selected to represent the control valve as per the project
standards.{adinserter 1}
 2. For protecting equipments that are not spared and equipments that cannot be
isolated without disrupting the plant / unit a spare safety valve is recommended
to be provided as shown in the sample drawing.
3. Generally, the safety valve inlet / outlet nozzles are smaller than the
corresponding line sizes. This change in diameter should be clearly indicated in
the P&ID with reducer and expander.
4. Block valves should be provided upstream and downstream of the safety valves
in case of shutdown and maintenance. Normally provision is made to keep these
valves locked or sealed open. The spare safety valve is kept locked or sealed
closed, as indicated in the sample drawing.{adinserter 1}
5. A vent valve is normally provided between the safety valve and upstream block
valve.
6. Normally, bypass should provided for safety valves for process or start-up
requirements. Type, number and size of bypass valves will depend on the project
standards.
7. Depending on the service handled, the discharge from PSV can be either routed
to flare system for hydrocarbon service, for closed/open drain systems or to
atmosphere at a safe location for non-hazardous service.
8. The inlet lines to the safety valves are always sloped toward to protected
equipment and the outlet lines from the safety valves are always sloped towards
the flare header / the knock out drum or the safe location.
9. When a PSV is connected to the flare system, the inlet line piping should be
equipped with a spool piece to facilitate dismantling, as indicated in the sample
drawing. For PSVs discharging to atmosphere, this is not required.{adinserter 2}
10. All the guidelines given here are very general and may be modified as per specific
requirements of any particular project.

Typical P&ID arrangement for Storage

Tanks
Storage tanks of various kinds are used to store process fluids of various types, under
different process conditions. But the basic arrangement remains roughly the same for
different types of storage tanks.

1. Proper tank symbol should be selected first of all, as shown in the presented
drawing. This should be selected from the list of equipment symbols on the
legend sheets of a particular project.{adinserter 1}
2. Tank internals should then be indicated as per proper symbols on the legend
sheets. These internals can be inlet pipe, vortex breaker on the outlet lines etc.
3. All the nozzles on the storage tank should then be correctly represented with size
and flanges. This includes inlet and outlet nozzles, overflow line, minimum
recirculation line, blanketing gas line, drains, vents, PSV connection and
instrument nozzles, as shown in the sample drawing presented here. Normally for
large enough tanks a manway has to be provided as indicated in the sample
drawing for maintenance access.
4. Inlet and outlet lines are the next to be drawn up. Line number, material class,
size etc. is to be correctly assigned to each of the lines.
5. Typical instrumentation on the tank would be level gauges and transmitters
plus pressure gauge and transmitters. For tank under continuous operation a
 level control valve has to be provided as indicated in the sample drawing. For
tank with blanketing gas a self regulating pressure valve has to be provided on
the blanketing gas inlet line. Normally alarms / trips are provided for High High
Pressure, High High Level, Low Low Pressure and Low Low Level.{adinserter 1}
6. Isolation valves, spectacle blinds, spacers etc. to be used for maintenance should
be drawn up next on the inlet / outlet lines. The spectacle blinds, spacers etc. can
be connected right next to the isolation valves and equipment nozzles, as
indicated in the sample drawing presented here.
7. Drains should be provided on the tank bottom and on the bottom outlet lines for
complete draining of the tank and associated piping for maintenance purpose.
8. Vent has to be provided on top of the tank for complete venting of the tank for
maintenance purpose. In some cases the tank may be open to atmosphere
through vent during normal operation. In such cases a bird screen has to be
provided on the vent line.
9. For purging the tank with nitrogen or steam, a utility connection can be provided
directly on the tank.{adinserter 2}
10. All the guidelines given here are very general and may be modified as per specific
requirements of any particular project.

P&ID symbols for control valve assembly

and actuators
Commonly used P&ID symbols (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram symbols)
for control valve actuators.

Note that they may differ slightly from one project to another.

Control valve assembly

Manual (handwheel)
Diaphragm actuator

{adinserter 1}

Balanced diaphragm actuator

Motor actuator

{adinserter 1}

Spring actuator

Pilot actuator

Solenoid actuator
Solenoid actuator with manual reset

{adinserter 1}

1 Acting cylinder actuator

2 Acting cylinder actuator

Pilot operated cylinder actuator

Digital actuator
Weight actuator

Key actuator

Electro-hydraulic actoator

Heat exchanger P&ID symbols

oler
Generic heat exchanger

{adinserter 1}

Generic heat exchanger

Plate and frame heat exchanger

 Double pipe U tube heat
exchanger

{adinserter 1}

Kettle type heat exchanger

Shell & Tube Heat Exchanger

Instrument Signal P&ID symbols

Commonly used P&ID symbols (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram symbols) for
instrument signals. Note that they may differ slightly from one project to another.
Process Connection
{adinserter 1}

Electric signal

Capillary connection

Software signal
{adinserter 1}

Mechanical link

Hydraulic signal

Pneumatic signal
{adinserter 1}
 Electric binary signal

Pneumatic binary signal

Fittings P&ID symbol

Commonly used P&ID symbols (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram symbols) for
piping fittings. Note that they may differ slightly from one project to another.

Flange set

{adinserter 1}

Blind Flange

Flow orifice
Removable pipe spool

{adinserter 1}

Tee type strainer

Y type strainer

Basket type strainer

{adinserter 1}

2 basket type strainer

End plug

End cap

Reducer / Expander

Hose connection

Open spacer
Closed spacer

Open spectacle blind

Closed spectacle blind

Mixing Tee

Sight glass
 Breather

Gooseneck vent

Sample cooler

Pumps / compressors P&ID symbols

Commonly used P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) symbols for pumps /
compressors. Note that they may differ slightly from one project to another.
Centrifugal pump

{adinserter 1}

Motor

Dosing pump
Gear pump

{adinserter 1}

Vane pump

Vertical pump
 Metering pump

Centrifugal compressor

{adinserter 1}

Safety Valves P&ID Symbols

Commonly used P&ID symbols (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram symbols) for safety
valves. Note that they may differ slightly from one project to another.

Pressure Relief Valve

{adinserter 1}
Vacuum Relief Valve

Breathing Valve or Pressure/Vacuum Relief Valve

Pressure Rupture Disc

{adinserter 1}

Vacuum Rupture Disc

Storage tanks / vessels P&ID symbols
Commonly used P&ID (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram) symbols for storage tanks
and process vessels or drums. Note that they may differ slightly from one project to
another.

Horizontal Vessel / drum

{adinserter 1}

Vertical vessel / drum

Horizontal vessel with boot

Conical roof tank

{adinserter 1}

Conical roof tank with boot

Floating roof tank

Spherical storage tank

Man way

{adinserter 1}

Vortex breaker
Valve P&ID symbols
Commonly used P&ID symbols (Piping and Instrumentation Diagram symbols) for
manual valves. Note that they may differ slightly from one project to another.

Gate Valve
{adinserter 1}

Normally Closed Gate Valve

Ball Valve

Normally Closed Ball Valve

{adinserter 1}

Globe Valve

Butterfly Valve
Check Valve

Plug Valve
{adinserter 1}

Needle Valve

Self Draining Valve

Integrated Block and Bleed Valve

Auto Recirculation Valve

Angle Valve

Angle Globe Valve

3-way Valve

Y Blowdown Valve

Angle Blowdown Valve