TASK – 1

IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY

27TH JUNE 2025

AT

SHELL NIGERIA EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY

(SNEPCO)

BY

PRECIOUS ONIFADE
(CHEMICAL ENGINEERING)
TASK – 1 (27/06/2025)

IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY

Explain the following terms. You can search online to build your answers

1. Block Flow Diagram

2. Process Flow Diagram (PFD)

3. Piping & Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID)

4. What is the difference between item (2) and (3)?

5. Basis for Design (BFD)

6. Design Basis

7. Process Design Basis

8. Process Control Narrative

EXECUTION OF TASK

1. BLOCK FLOW DIAGRAM

A Block Flow Diagram(BFD) is a simple drawing of a chemical process to understand the basic structure
of a system. It is the simplest form of flow diagrams used in the industry.

A Block Flow Diagram generally consists of the following:

- Unit operations such as mixers, reactors and heat exchangers are usually denoted by a simple
block or rectangle.
- Groups of unit operations are denoted by a simple block or rectangle
- Process flow streams are represented by straight lines either horizontal or vertical.
- Unit operations are labeled.

The simplest form of a BFD is the I/O(input/output) diagram which provides the material streams
entering and exiting the process.

I/O Diagram.
 2. PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM

A Process Flow Diagram(PFD) is a type of flowchart that illustrates the relationships between major
components of an industrial plant. A series of symbols are used to depict a process.

A typical PFD for a single unit process includes the following:

- Names and ID numbers of major equipment.

- Process piping and process flow direction
- Control valves, major bypass, and recirculation systems.
- Operational data: pressure, temperature, density, mass flow rate and energy balance.
- Process stream names.

Chemical Process Flow Diagram

 3. PIPING AND INSTRUMENTATION DIAGRAM(P & IDs)

A Piping and Instrumentation Diagram(P & IDs) is a schematic illustration of the functional relationship
of piping, instrumentation and system equipment components used in the field of instrumentation and
control or automation.

It usually includes the following components:

- Key piping and instrument details

- Control and shutdown schemes
- Safety and regulatory requirements
- Basic start up and operational information

The uses of P & IDs include the following:

- Provide documents that explain hw the process works.

- Design a conceptual layout of a chemical or manufacturing plant.
- Form recommendations for cost estimates, equipment design, and pipe design.

However, they cannot be completely relied on because they are not drawn to scale or geometrically
accurate and there is no universal standard for them.
 4. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ITEM 2(PFDs) AND ITEM 3(P & IDS)

S/N Category Process Flow Diagram (PFDs) Piping and Instrumentation Diagram
(P&IDs)
1. Purpose Illustrates the overall process flow Details all piping, instrumentation, and
and major equipment. control systems
2. Focus Material and energy flow through Process control, instrumentation, and
the process piping layout.
3. Equipment Only major equipment are All equipment including minor ones
included (reactors, pumps, heat tagged with identifiers.
exchangers, etc.)
4. Used by Process engineers & Chemical Process, mechanical, instrumentation,
engineers and control engineers; operators and
technicians.

5. BASIS FOR DESIGN (BFD)

Basis For Design (BFD) is the foundational document that outlines the core principles, assumptions, and
criteria used to guide the design process for a project. It serves as a reference point for design decisions
to ensure alignment with the project’s objectives, regulatory requirements, and quality standards.

Topics included in the BFD document include the following:

- Equipment, systems, and materials

- Life cycle analysis synopsis summary
- Discipline work criteria and assumptions.

6. DESIGN BASIS (DB)

The Design Basis is defined as a set of conditions, needs and requirements are taken into account in
designing a facility or product. It establishes the essentials of the engineering procedures needed to
design the plant.

When a new design project is started, the operator prepares a design basis for each engineering
discipline, such as hull, mooring and riser.

7. PROCESS DESIGN BASIS

A Process design basis is a foundational document that defines and records all technical criteria,
assumptions, and constraints used in the design and development of a process system or facility.

It ensures that everyone involved like the engineers, designers, cotractors, and clients, have a clear and
consistent reference for making design decisions and maintaining alignment throughout the project.

The content of the Process Design Basis include:

- Project description
 - Design philosophy
- Process conditions
- Utility requirements
- Environmental constraints
- Material selection

8. PROCESS CONTROL NARRATIVE (PCN)

A process control narrative (PCN) is a detailed, written description of how a process and its automation
systems should function. It acts as a link between process design and control system design, ensuring
everyone understands how the system is intended to operate.

It is a vital document that bridges the gap between process design and its practical implementation,
ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operation of automated processes.

The content of a Process Control Narrative include:

- Process overview
- Equipment list
- Software components
- Alarms
- Process functionality descriptions.