Page 62 - Analysis, Synthesis and Design of Chemical Processes, Third Edition

Figure 1.15 3-D Representation of the Reactor and Feed Sections of the DME Process Model
(Reproduced by Permission of Cadcentre, an Aveva Group Company, from their Vantage/PDMS

Software)

1.7 Summary

In this chapter, 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.