Plant Diagrams and Drawings PDF

Plant Diagrams and Drawings • Chapter 2 Objective 4 Explain the use of general arrangement, block plans, and equipment diagrams. General Arrangement (GA) Diagrams A general arrangement (GA) diagram depicts the physical relationship of significant items by using appropriate projections or perspecti...

Plant Diagrams and Drawings • Chapter 2 Objective 4 Explain the use of general arrangement, block plans, and equipment diagrams. General Arrangement (GA) Diagrams A general arrangement (GA) diagram depicts the physical relationship of significant items by using appropriate projections or perspective views. Reference dimensions may be included. A GA diagram does not identify items. In an operating facility, a GA diagram provides a general description of the configuration and location of significant items of the plant. It is not meant to provide exact dimensional relationships. A representation of a valve on a pipeline provides its location relative to other elements of the pipeline, but not its exact location (i.e. no accurate dimensions are provided). Figure 8 provides a GA diagram of a warehouse setup. The diagram provides a view of the warehouse shape and configuration within it. The specific reference to “carton flow” provides perspective of individual items being selected versus the pallet storage in other parts of the warehouse. Figure 8 – Sample General Arrangement Diagram 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A 2-15 Unit A-10 • Fundamental Industrial Communication Skills Block Plans Shapes in block diagrams represent different unit operations. These blocks enclose the individual process rather than an individual piece of equipment. The block plan is an indication of the special arrangement of the equipment and systems. It does not indicate how the equipment is connected. Use these guidelines to create clear and easy to understand block diagrams: a) Use a simple block or rectangle to denote individual units, such as mixers, furnaces, separators, reactors, distillation columns, and heat exchangers. b) Note groups of individual units by a single block, rectangle, or characteristic shape. c) Process flow streams flowing into and out of the blocks are not represented. d) Label the unit operations (i.e., blocks). e) Where possible, arrange the diagram so that the process material flows from left to right. Upstream units should be on the left and downstream units on the right. Figure 9 shows a sample block diagram. Figure 9 – Sample Block Diagram Glycol Regeneration Separation Sales Gas Dehydration (Refrigeration) Absorption Metering Gas from Wells H2 S Amine Regeneration Propane Liquification Fuel Gas Fuel Gas Treatment Boiler Recompression Distillate Sales Condensate Stabilization 2-16 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A Plant Diagrams and Drawings • Chapter 2 Equipment Diagrams System level diagrams always have supporting individual equipment diagrams. These provide a detailed graphical description of the component. The equipment view can range from a simple 2D perspective, through to complicated 3D cutaways or assembly diagrams. These diagrams are meant to present a pictorial view of the individual equipment. They are used both as a design tool for fabrication, and to provide visual perspective in recognizing the component in the operating environment of the plant. Some equipment diagram examples are shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 – Sample Equipment Diagrams (a) Fabrication Diagram (b) Assembly Diagram 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A 2-17 Unit A-10 • Fundamental Industrial Communication Skills (c) Cutaway Diagram 2-18 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A Plant Diagrams and Drawings • Chapter 2 Chapter Summary Whether hand or computer generated, PFDs, P&IDs, and other plant diagrams are used throughout the life cycle of a plant. From designers and construction personnel to operations and maintenance professionals, these diagrams are valuable communication tools that help every team member understand what the plant does and how it does it. Being able to develop those diagrams as a means of communicating with other team members is a skill that is critical in understanding the functional operations of every energy plant. 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A 2-19