Process Measurement and

Instrumentation

Lecture-2
By
Dr. M. Jayakumar
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
Haramaya University
November-2018
Chapter -2
System Components
Transmitters, receiving devices, controllers,
valves and other process instruments.
ISA Symbols on a process and
instrumentation diagram.
TRANSMITTERS
A transmitter is a device that converts a reading
from a sensor or transducer into a standard signal
and transmits that signal to a monitor or controller.
Transmitter types include:
•Pressure transmitters
•Flow transmitters
•Temperature transmitters
•Level transmitters
•Analytic (O2 [oxygen], CO [carbon monoxide], and pH)
transmitters
Pressure transmitter
Temperature transmitter
Flow transmitter
Level transmitter
FM transmitter
Other transmitters
SIGNALS
There are three kinds of signals that exist for the
process industry to transmit the process variable
measurement from the instrument to a centralized
control system.

1. Pneumatic signal
2. Analog signal
3. Digital signal
Pneumatic Signals
are signals produced by changing the air pressure
in a signal pipe in proportion to the measured
change in a process variable.
The common industry standard pneumatic signal
range is 3–15 psig.
The 3 corresponds to the lower range value
(LRV) and the 15 corresponds to the upper range
value (URV).
Analog Signals
The most common standard electrical signal is
the 4–20 mA current signal.
With this signal, a transmitter sends a small
current through a set of wires.
The current signal is a kind of gauge in which 4
mA represents the lowest possible measurement, or
zero, and 20 mA represents the highest possible
measurement.
Digital Signals
Digital signals are the most recent addition to
process control signal technology.
Digital signals are discrete levels or values that are
combined in specific ways to represent process
variables and also carry other information, such as
diagnostic information.
The methodology used to combine the digital
signals is referred to as protocol.
 Manufacturers may use either an open or a
proprietary digital protocol.
Open protocols are those that anyone who is
developing a control device can use.
Proprietary protocols are owned by specific
companies and may be used only with their permission.
Open digital protocols include the HART® (highway
addressable remote transducer) protocol,
FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus, Profibus, DeviceNet, and
the Modbus® protocol.
CONTROLLERS
A controller is a device that receives data from a
measurement instrument, compares that data to a
programmed setpoint, and, if necessary, signals a control
element to take corrective action.
 Controllers may perform complex mathematical
functions to compare a set of data to setpoint or they
may perform simple addition or subtraction
functions to make comparisons.
Controllers always have an ability to receive
input, to perform a mathematical function with the
input, and to produce an output signal.
Programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
PLCs are usually computers connected to a set of
input/output (I/O) devices.
The computers are programmed to respond to
inputs by sending outputs to maintain all processes
at setpoint.
Distributed control systems (DCSs)
DCSs are controllers that, in addition to
performing control functions provide readings of
the status of the process, maintain databases and
advanced man-machine-interface.
CORRECTING ELEMENTS/FINAL
CONTROL ELEMENTS
The correcting or final control element is the part of
the control system that acts to physically change the
manipulated variable.
In most cases, the final control element is a valve
used to restrict or cut off fluid flow, but pump motors,
louvers (typically used to regulate air flow), solenoids,
and other devices can also be final control elements.
 Final control elements are typically used to
increase or decrease fluid flow.
For example, a final control element may regulate
the
Flow of fuel to a burner to control temperature,
The flow of a catalyst into a reactor to control a
chemical reaction, or
The flow of air into a boiler to control boiler
combustion.
 In any control loop, the speed with which a final
control element reacts to correct a variable that is
out of setpoint is very important.
Many of the technological improvements in final
control elements are related to improving their
response time.
ACTUATORS
An actuator is the part of a final control device
that causes a physical change in the final control
device when signaled to do so.
The most common example of an actuator is a
valve actuator, which opens or closes a valve in
response to control signals from a controller.
 Actuators are often powered pneumatically,
hydraulically, or electrically.
Diaphragms
Bellows
Springs
Gears
Hydraulic pilot valves
Pistons, or electric motors are often parts of an
actuator system.
INDICATORS
While most instruments are connected to a
control system, operators sometimes need to check a
measurement on the factory floor at the
measurement point.
An indicator makes this reading possible.

An indicator is a human-readable device that

displays information about the process.
 Indicators may be as simple as a pressure or
temperature gauge or more complex, such as a
digital read-out device.
Some indicators simply display the measured
variable, while others have control buttons that
enable operators to change settings in the field.
RECORDERS
A recorder is a device that records the output of
measurement devices.
Many process manufacturers are required by law to
provide a process history to regulatory agencies, and
manufacturers use recorders to help meet these
regulatory requirements.
In addition, manufacturers often use recorders to
gather data for trend analyses.
 By recording the readings of critical measurement
points and comparing those readings over time with the
results of the process, the process can be improved.
Different recorders display the data they collect
differently.
Some recorders list a set of readings and the times the
readings were taken; others create a chart or graph of the
readings.
Recorders that create charts or graphs are called chart
recorders.
ISA Symbology
The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation
Society (ISA) is one of the leading process control
trade and standards organizations.
The ISA has developed a set of symbols for use in
engineering drawings and designs of control loops.
(ISA S5.1 instrumentation symbol specification).
Drawings of this kind are known as piping
and instrumentation drawings (P&ID).
 In a P&ID, a circle represents individual measurement
instruments, such as transmitters, sensors, and detectors.

A single horizontal line running across the center of the

shape indicates that the instrument or function is located
in a primary location (e.g., a control room).
 A double line indicates that the function is in an
auxiliary location (e.g., an instrument rack).

The absence of a line indicates that the function is

field mounted.
 Dotted line indicates that the function or
instrument is inaccessible (e.g., located behind a
panel board).
 A square with a circle inside represents instruments that
both display measurement readings and perform some
control function.
Many modern transmitters are equipped with
microprocessors that perform control calculations and send
control output signals to final control elements.
 A hexagon represents computer functions, such
as those carried out by a controller.
A square with a diamond inside represents PLCs
Valves
Two triangles with their apexes contacting each
other (a “bow tie” shape) represent a valve in the
piping.
An actuator is always drawn above the valve.
Pumps
Directional arrows showing the flow direction
represent a pump
Piping and Connections
Piping and connections are represented with
several different symbols (shown in below figure):

A heavy solid line represents piping

A thin solid line represents process connections to
instruments (e.g., impulse piping)
 A dashed line represents electrical signals (e.g.,
4–20 mA connections)
A slashed line represents pneumatic signal tubes
A line with circles on it represents data links
 Other connection symbols include capillary
tubing for filled systems (e.g., remote diaphragm
seals), hydraulic signal lines, and guided
electromagnetic or sonic signals.
IDENTIFICATION LETTERS
Identification letters on the ISA symbols (e.g., TT
for temperature transmitter) indicate:
The variable being measured (e.g., Flow,
Pressure, Temperature, Level)
The device’s function (e.g., transmitter, switch,
valve, sensor, indicator)
Some modifiers (e.g., high, low, multifunction)
 Below table shows the ISA identification letter
designations.
☼ The initial letter indicates the measured
variable.
☼ The second letter indicates a modifier, readout,
or device function.
☼ The third letter usually indicates either a device

function or a modifier.
 For example, “FIC” on an instrument tag
represents a flow indicating controller. “PT”
represents a pressure transmitter.
TAG NUMBERS
Numbers on P&ID symbols represent
instrument tag numbers.
Often these numbers are associated with a
particular control loop (e.g., flow transmitter 123).
Elements of ISA symbology used in a P&ID.
Thank You