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PFD

PFD — Process Flow Diagram

A high-level engineering drawing showing the major process equipment, material flows and operating conditions within a process facility.

Definition

A Process Flow Diagram (PFD) is a high-level engineering drawing that illustrates the principal process equipment, process streams and operating conditions within a facility. It provides an overview of the process design and material flow while omitting the detailed piping, instrumentation and control information found on Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).

Why It Matters

Process Flow Diagrams provide a simplified representation of process design and material flow for engineering and operational understanding.

In Practice

PFDs are commonly used during conceptual design, process development and engineering studies and form the basis for developing detailed P&IDs and process safety analyses.

Common Misuse

A Process Flow Diagram presents the overall process design, whereas a Piping and Instrumentation Diagram provides detailed piping, instrumentation and control information.

Term Details
Synonyms:
PFD; Process Flow Diagram; Process Schematic; Flow Diagram
Classification:
Engineering Documentation
Document Type
Intermediate
Applications

Process Engineering; Engineering Design; Process Safety.

Where It's Used

Process plants.; Oil and gas.; Petrochemical.; Chemical processing.; Manufacturing.

References

ISO 10628

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