Reading P&ID Symbols and Abbreviations for the Pharmaceutical industry: A Step-by-Step Guide
By: Donagh Fitzgerald B.Prod Eng and Gerry Creaner B.Chem Eng. Last Updated: July 2024
Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) symbols are graphical representations used in Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) to represent the various components of a process system such as pipes, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, instruments and tanks. These symbols help engineers and technicians understand and visualize the design and operation of a process.
They are designed to be easily recognizable and convey important information about the components they represent. In this guide, we will walk through the basics of P&ID symbols, notations, and abbreviations, and explain how to read them.
Important
P&IDs are living documents, and it is important to keep them updated as the process changes over time. Practice is key to understanding P&ID symbols, notation and abbreviation, and interpreting them correctly.
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
P&ID symbols can be broadly classified into 7 categories:
Piping Symbols
Examples include pipes, tubes, ducts, multi-line, separators, connectors, end caps, flanges, reducers, and coupling.
Pipe
Jacketed pipe
Thermally insulated pipe
Cooled or heated pipe
Covered gas vent
Curved gas vent
Flange
Butt weld
Reducer
Flexible hose
Steam trap
Viewing glass
Pump Symbols
Pumps are an essential part of the majority of industrial plants that need pumps. These pumps can be used for suction, compression, moving fluid, and also for pressure control. There are many p and id symbols for pumps.
Pump
Vacuum pump or compressor
Centrifugal pump
Centrifugal pump
Centrifugal pump
Gear pump
Screw pump
Screw pump
Vacuum pump
Fan
Axial Fan
Radial Fan
Valve and Control Symbols
Represented by various shapes to indicate the type and function of the control device. Examples include valves, actuators, and controllers.
Pressure reducing valve
Valve
Control valve
Manual valve
Needle valve
Butterfly valve
Ball valve
Globe valve
Diaphragm valve
Pressure regulating valve (PRV)
Pressure safety valve (PSV)
Temperature control valve (TCV)
Vessel Symbols
A vessel is used to store fluids or also be used to alter the characteristics of the fluid during storage. This includes tanks, cylinders, columns, bags.
Vessel
Pressurized horizontal vessel
Pressurized vertical vessel
Reaction vessel
Column
Packing column
Tray column
Tank
Open tank
Open top tank
Closed tank
Bin
Bag
Gas bottle
Instrument Symbols
Pumps are an essential part of the majority of industrial plants that need pumps. These pumps can be used for suction, compression, moving fluid, and also for pressure control. There are many p and id symbols for pumps.
Temperature Transmitter
Temperature Indicator
Temperature Controller