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Fluid Codes for Use on P&IDs

Table of Contents

Section Title Page
Purpose 2
Scope 2
Related Documents 2
General 2
Change Log 3
Fluid Descriptions and Codes 4
Fluid Codes and Descriptions 12

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1. PURPOSE

1.1 This global engineering standard defines a common system of codes to clearly and accurately communicate engineering information for fluids in lines on piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) for all ETs.

Note: Suggestions for further simplification of this standard shall be forwarded to the Level 4 P&ID Work Process Owner.

2. SCOPE

2.1 This standard applies to all P&IDs unless otherwise required by a customer.

Note:  For small modifications to existing plants with different fluid codes, judgment should be made to use existing codes rather than following this standard, as it is important not to confuse existing operators or users (see paragraph 4.9). For new plants or products the fluid codes in this standard shall be used. 

3. RELATED DOCUMENTS

3.1 Air Products Engineering Documents 3SEF0012 P&ID Text Abbreviations for Use on P&IDs

3.2 McGraw-Hill Lange’s Handbook of Chemistry

3.3 The documents listed above are referenced herein and shall apply as specifically designated. Latest edition and addenda in effect shall apply.

4. GENERAL

4.1 Philosophy

4.1.1 Common Fluid Code abbreviations across all ETs with unique meaning for example, F=Freon within one ET while F=Fluorine in another is not acceptable.

4.1.2 Simplest (fewest) number of letters to represent fluid code.

Note: Maximum number is 3, which is the limitation of the data field used in current associated databases.

4.1.3 Preference is for pure fluid code abbreviations that do not indicate “service” type information, for example, not preferred to contain High Pressure Nitrogen or Purge Nitrogen in the fluid code abbreviation ‑ just Nitrogen.

4.2 Preferred Line Number Format Size – Fluid Code – Line Number – Piping Specification _ Country Code – Insulation Code, for example 100-N-1234-WCG010_A-F3.

4.3 Fluid codes that may be used in the line number on flowsheets/P&IDs are listed in Tables 1 and 2.

Note: These codes may also be used as P&ID text abbreviations, (that is, used anywhere else on the P&ID). 

4.4 See 3SEF0012 for P&ID text abbreviations.Note:  P&ID text abbreviations shall not be used as the fluid code part of the line number, for example, LOX is not a valid fluid code.

4.5 Symbols for elements and chemical compounds are not given in this standard. An authoritative source, such as Lange’s Handbook of Chemistry, shall be used as a reference for these symbols. A fluid code for a word combination shall not be separated for use individually, for example, the code FG (fuel gas) shall not be split to use F for fuel and G for gas. If during operation or upset conditions the line could have different fluids in it, the code for the most severe design criteria, based on safety considerations, shall be used in the line number, but a note must be added to the P&ID notes column to indicate the nature, condition, and reason for any other fluid flow if it too has design criteria, for example, normally the regeneration line is nitrogen, but with a column upset the line could contain oxygen rich gas. The fluid code used on the line shall be O and a note added about “In normal operation this line will contain nitrogen, but on column upset….” Alternatives within the line number are not acceptable, for example, 100-A/N/O-1234-WCG010_A-F3.

4.8 Letters are sometimes used to form parts of some other symbols, as in the case of instrumentation. These letters are not fluid codes and are therefore not identified in this standard.

4.9 Any fluid code used within the project flowsheet/P&ID shall be referenced on the front legend sheet.

4.10 Fluid codes listed in this standard may be used on flowsheets/P&IDs with or without explanation. If a fluid not listed in this standard is encountered, contact Process Systems Manager for a code assignment.

4.11 The fluid codes are allocated in SmartPlant P&ID by selecting the appropriate fluid system (Chemicals, Common, Electronics, or HyCo) and then selecting the fluid code from the list. Additional codes can be added to the SPPID master list by request via the Phoenix Helpdesk.

Table 1 Fluid Descriptions and Codes Fluid Description Fluid Code

2-Ethylhexanol EH
5-Fluorocytosine 5FC
Acetaldehyde ADH
Acetone ACE
Acetonitrile ACN
Acetylene ACY
Acetylene Alcohols/Glycols AAG
Acid AC
Acid – pH ApH
Acid, Acetic (5-98%) ACD
Acid, Phosphoric (54-75%) HPA
Acid, Concentrated Sulfuric SAC
Acid, Dilute Sulfuric – Denitrified SAD
Acid, Concentrated Sulfuric – Passivated with Nitric Acid SAP
Acid, Dilute Sulfuric – Undenitrified SAU
Acid, Virgin Sulfuric – Nominal 98% SAV
Acrylamind (50% Aqueous) AY
Acrylonitrite PAN
Acticide ACT
Air A
Air, Atomizing AA
Air, Breathing BR
Air, Drying DA
Air, Instrument IA
Air, Plant PA
Air, Pulse AP
Air, Service SA
Air, Utility UA
Airopak F2N
Alum-Liquid (50% Solution) AL
Amine AM
Ammonia NH3
Ammonia, Aqueous AAM
Ammonium Bifluoride ABF
Ammonium Hydroxide AOH
Anti-Foam Solution AFS
Argon AR
Arsine ASH

Table 1 (continued) Fluid Description Fluid Code

Base – pH BpH
Benzaldehyde BAD
Benzene BZ
Benzoquinone/Vinyl Acetate BQ
Biocide BIO
Biodispersant BDS
Bis-(fluoroxy)-difluoro-methane BDM
Boiler Blowdown BD
Boiler Treatment BT
Boron Trichloride BCl3 BCL
Boron Trifluoride BF3
Brine, Calcium Chloride BC
Brine, Sodium Chloride BN
Bromine BR2
Bromine Trifluoride BrF3 BRF
Bronopol Biocide BP
Butane C4
Butyl Acrylate BA
Butyl Cellusolve BCS
Carbon CAR
Carbon Dioxide CO2
Carbon Monoxide CO
Catalyst CAT
Caustics CA
Carbon Tetrafluoride CF4
Centrifuge Mother Liquor MOL
CFO Multifluor CFO
Chemax-MPS CMX
Chemical Clean Solution CC
Chlorine CL
Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF3) CLF
Condensate K
Condensate, Process PC
Corrosive COR
Defoamer DEF
Deoxo-Fluor DOX
Diethylenetriamine (DETA) DET
Di Methyl Formadine DMF
Dimethylamine DMA
Dinitrotoluene DNT
Dispersant DIS
Dispex N40 DPX
Distillation bottoms TAR
D-Limonene DLI

Table 1 (continued) Fluid Description Fluid Code

Effluent EFF
EHA EHA
Electrolyte ELC
Emulsions Powder EP
Emulsions Process – Airflex 3 (Class 1500/304L) E8
Emulsions Process – Airflex 3 (Class 1500/316L) E9
Emulsions Process – General (Class 150/304L) E1
Emulsions Process – General (Class 150/316L) E3
Emulsions Process – General (Class 300/304L) E5
Emulsions Process – General (Class 600/304L) E6
Emulsions Process – General (Class 600/316L) E7
Emulsions Process – General (Class 900/304L Pipe/316 Flg) E10
Ethane C2
Ethanol ETH
Ethyl Acetate EA
Ethyl Acrylate ETA
Ethyl Chloride ECL
Ethylene EL
Ethylenediamine EDA
Ethylene Oxide EO
Feed Gas FD
Ferric Chloride FC
Flare FL
Fluorine F2
Formaldehyde FAD
Freon F
Freon 14 (CF4) R14
F-TEDA FTD
Fuel Gas FG
Fuel Oil FO
Gas, Natural NG
Gas, Purge PG
Gas, Synthetic Natural SNG
Gas, Tail TG
Gas, Utility UG
Gas, Vent VG
Gas, Waste WG
Gasoline G
Germane GE
GIV-Gard GRD
Glycol GLY
Glycol, Diethylene DGL
Glycol, Dipropylene DPG
Glycol, Ethylene EGL
Glycol, Propylene PGL

Table 1 (continued) Fluid Description Fluid Code

HEA HEA
Heat Transfer Fluid HTF
Helium HE
Hexane C6
Hexafluoromethane (C2F6) C2F
Hexafluoro-1,3-butadiene C4F
Hydrocarbon HC
Hydrogen H
Hydrogen Bromide HBR
Hydrogen Chloride HCL
Hydrogen Fluoride HF
Hydrogen Peroxide HPX
Hydrogen Regeneration HRE
Hydrogen Selenide HSE
Hydrogen Sulfide H2S
Hypochlorite HYP
Iodine Pentafluoride IF5
Igepal IGE
Inert INT
Influent INF
Inhibitor INH
Iodine I2
Iso-Butane IC4
Iso-Pentane IC5
Iso-Propane IC3
Isopropyl Alcohol IPA
Isopropyl Ether IPE
Kathon-LX KX
Krypton KR
Krypton/Xenon KRY
Lime, Hydrated LH
MAMD MD
Mechanical Seal Fluid PSF
Methane C1
Methyl Acrylate MA
Methyl Chloride MCL
Methyl Ethyl Ketone MEK
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone KET
Methyl Methacrylate MMA
Methyl Styrene PMS

Table 1 (continued)Fluid Description Fluid Code

Methyltrichlorosilane MTS
Methylene Chloride MEC
Momoethanol Amine (Lean) ML
Monoethanol Amine MEA
Monoethanol Amine (Rich) MAR
Monomer MON
Mononitrotoluene MNT
Multiple Product Identifier U
N – Butyraldehyde NB
N – Methyl Acrylamide NMA
Naphtha NAP
n-Butane nC4
Neon NE
Nitric Oxide NO NO
Nitric Overheads, Weak WNO
Nitrogen N
Nitrogen Dioxide NO2
Nitrogen Trifluoride NF3 NF3
Nitrogen, Instrument IN
Nitrogen, Regeneration NRG
Nitrous Oxide N2O
Nonylphenoxypoly Ethanol NPE
n-Pentane nC5
Octane C8H
Oil, Lube L
Oil, Seal SO
Oily Water Sewer OWS
OP3S – Surfactant OP
Oxidant OXI
Oxygen O
Oxygen Scavenger OSC
Ozone O3
Pentane C5
PF5080 (coolant) C8F
PFO Multifluor PFO
Phenol PHL
Phosphate Solution KP
Phosphine PH3
Piperazine (aqueous) PIP
Pluronic F68 F68
Pluronic L64 L64
Pluronics PL
Polyphosphate PO4

Table 1 (continued) Fluid Description Fluid Code

Polystep B-27 – Surfactant PB
Potassium Hydroxide (30% – 85%) PH
Potassium Hydroxide KOH / H2O PHW
Potassium Hydroxide Slurry PHS
Potassium Hydroxide KOH
Premix PM
Process Product P
Propane C3
Propylene CH8
Propylene Oxide PO
Proxel PX
Reactants RX
Redox 1 (Catalyst) RD1
Redox 2 (Activator) RD2
Refrigerant R
Refrigerant, Mixed MR
Refrigerant, Multi-Component MCR
Sanitary Sewer SSA
Selexol SLX
Sewage SEW
Sewer, Chemical SCH
Sewer, Non-corrosive SNC
Sewer, Storm SST
Silicon Tetrachloride (SiCl4) SIC
Silicon Tetrafluoride (SiF4) SIF
Silane SIL
Sludge SL
SMA 144OH Dispersion Solution SMA
Sodium Carbonate SC
Sodium Hydroxide NAH
Sodium Hydroxide – 50% Aqueous NH
Sodium Hydroxide <25% Aqueous NHD
Sodium Hypochlorite SH
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate SLS
Sodium Vinyl Sulfonate SVS
Solvent, Multi-Component MCS
Steam S
Styrene STY
Sulfite solution KS
Sulfur S8
Sulfur Dioxide SO2
Sulfur Hexafluoride SF6
Sulfur Tetrafluoride SF4
Surfactant SRF
Synthesis Gas (Syngas) SG

Table 1 (continued) Fluid Description Fluid Code

TAM TAM
Tertiary Butyl Arsine TBA
Tertiary Butyl Hydroperoxide (70%/H2O) TBH
Tertiary Butyl Phosphine TBP
Toluene T
Tolytriazole / Conveying Air TP
Triallyl Cyanurate TAC
Trichlorosilane TCS
Triethylenediamine (TEDA) TED
Trimethylamine TMA
Tungsten Hexafluoride WF6
Vinyl Acetate Monomer VAM
Vinyl Chloride Monomer VCM
Water, Acid Wash ACW
Water, Alkaline Wash AKW
Waste Activated Sludge WAS
Waste Treatment PT
Water, Bearing Purge BPW
Water, Boiler Feed BFW
Water, Brackish BW
Water, Cooling CW
Water, Deionized DIW
Water, Demineralized DMW
Water, Drinking DW
Water, Fire FW
Water, Flush FLW
Water, Industrial Waste IDW
Water, Mill MW
Water, Municipal MUW
Water, Plant PLW
Water, Potable PW
Water, Process PRW
Water, Process Waste (Corrosive) PWC
Water, Process Waste (Non-Corrosive) PWW
Water, Reverse Osmosis ROW
Water, River RW
Water, Sanitary Waste SWW
Water, Sea SAW
Water, Service SW
Water, Soft SFT
Water, Storm Sewer SWS

Table 1 (continued) Fluid Description Fluid Code

Water, Tempered TWS
Water, Treated TW
Water, Treatment WT
Water, Waste WW
Water, Well WEW
Wet Adhesion Monomer (WAM) WAM
Xenon XE

Table 2 Fluid Codes and Descriptions Fluid Code Fluid Description

5FC 5-Fluorocytosine
A Air
AA Air, Atomizing
AAG Acetylene Alcohols/Glycols
AAM Ammonia, Aqueous
ABF Ammonium Bifluoride
AC Acid
ACD Acid, Acetic (5-98%)
ACE Acetone
ACN Acetonitrile
ACT Acticide
ACW Water, Acid Wash
ACY Acetylene
ADH Acetaldehyde
AFS Anti-Foam Solution
AKW Water, Alkaline Wash
AL Alum-Liquid (50% Solution)
AM Amine
AOH Ammonium Hydroxide
AP Air, Pulse
ApH Acid – pH
AR Argon
ASH Arsine
AY Acrylamind (50% Aqueous)
BA Butyl Acrylate
BAD Benzeldehyde
BC Brine, Calcium Chloride
BCL Boron Trichloride BCl3
BCS Butyl Cellusolve
BD Boiler Blowdown
BDM Bis-(fluoroxy)-difluoro-methane
BDS Biodispersant
BF3 Boron Trifluoride
BFW Water, Boiler Feed
BIO Biocide
BN Brine, Sodium Chloride
BP Bronopol Biocide
BpH Base – pH
BPW Water, Bearing Purge
BQ Benzoquinone/Vinyl Acetate
BR Air, Breathing
BR2 Bromine
BRF Bromine Trifluoride BRF3

Table 2 (continued) Fluid Code Fluid Description

BT Boiler Treatment
BW Water, Brackish
BZ Benzene
C1 Methane
C2 Ethane
C2F Hexafluoromethane (C2F6)
C3 Propane
C4 Butane
C4F Hexafluoro-1,3-butadiene
C5 Pentane
C6 Hexane
C8F PF5080 (coolant)
C8H Octane
CA Caustics
CAR Carbon
CAT Catalyst
CC Chemical Clean Solution
CF4 Carbon Tetrafluoride
CFO CFO Multifluor
CH8 Propylene
CL Chlorine
CLF Chlorine Trifluoride (ClF3)
CMX Chemax-MPS
CO Carbon Monoxide
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
COR Corrosive
CW Water, Cooling
DA Air, Drying
DEF Defoamer
DET Diethylenetriamine (DETA)
DGL Glycol, Diethylene
DIS Dispersant
DIW Water, Deionized
DLI D-Limonene
DMA Dimethylamine
DMF Di Methyl Formadine
DMW Water, Demineralized
DNT Dinitrotoluene
DOX Deoxo-Fluor
DPG Glycol, Dipropylene
DPX Dispex N40
DW Water, Drinking
E1 Emulsions Process – General (Class 150/304L)

Table 2 (continued) Fluid Code Fluid Description

E3 Emulsions Process – General (Class 150/316L)
E5 Emulsions Process – General (Class 300/304L)
E6 Emulsions Process – General (Class 600/304L)
E7 Emulsions Process – General (Class 600/316L)
E8 Emulsions Process – Airflex 3 (Class 1500/304L)
E9 Emulsions Process – Airflex 3 (Class 1500/316L)
E10 Emulsions Process – General (Class 900/304L Pipe/316 Flg)
EA Ethyl Acetate
ECL Ethyl Chloride
EDA Ethylenediamine
EFF Effluent
EGL Glycol, Ethylene
EH 2-Ethylhexanol
EHA EHA
EL Ethylene
ELC Electrolyte
EM Emulsions – Polyvinyl Acetate/H20
EO Ethylene Oxide
EP Emulsions Powder
ETA Ethyl Acrylate
ETH Ethanol
F Freon
F2 Fluorine
F2N Airopak
F68 Pluronic F68
FAD Formaldehyde
FC Ferric Chloride
FD Feed Gas
FG Fuel Gas
FL Flare
FLW Water, Flush
FO Fuel Oil
FTD F-TEDA
FW Water, Fire
G Gasoline
GE Germane
GLY Glycol
GRD GIV-Gard
H Hydrogen

 Table 2 (continued)Fluid Code Fluid Description

H2S Hydrogen Sulfide
HBR Hydrogen Bromide
HC Hydrocarbon
HCL Hydrogen Chloride
HE Helium
HEA HEA
HF Hydrogen Fluoride
HPA Acid, Phosphoric (54-75%)
HPX Hydrogen Peroxide
HRE Hydrogen Regeneration
HSE Hydrogen Selenide
HTF Heat Transfer Fluid
HYP Hypochlorite
I2 Iodine
IA Air, Instrument
IC3 Iso-Propane
IC4 Iso-Butane
IC5 Iso-Pentane
IDW Water, Industrial Waste
IF5 Iodine Pentafluoride
IGE Igepal
IN Nitrogen, Instrument
INF Influent
INH Inhibitor
INT Inert
IPA Isopropyl Alcohol
IPE Isopropyl Ether
K Condensate
KET Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
KOH Potassium Hydroxide
KP Phosphate Solution
KR Krypton
KRY Krypton/Xenon
KS Sulfite solution
KX Kathon-LX
L Oil, Lube
L64 Pluronic L64
LH Lime, Hydrated
MA Methyl Acrylate
MAR Monoethanol Amine (Rich)
MCR Refrigerant, Multi-Component
MCL Methyl Chloride

Table 2 (continued) Fluid Code Fluid Description

MCS Solvent, Multi-Component
MD MAMD
MEA Monoethanol Amine
MEC Methylene Chloride
MEK Methyl Ethyl Ketone
ML Momoethanol Amine (Lean)
MMA Methyl Methacrylate
MNT Mononitrotoluene
MOL Centrifuge Mother Liquor
MON Monomer
MR Refrigerant, Mixed
MTS Methyltrichlorosilane
MUW Water, Municipal
MW Water, Mill
N Nitrogen
N2O Nitrous Oxide
NAH Sodium Hydroxide
NAP Naphtha
NB N – Butyraldehyde
nC4 n-Butane
nC5 n-Pentane
NE Neon
NF3 Nitrogen Trifluoride NF3
NG Gas, Natural
NH Sodium Hydroxide – 50% Aqueous
NH3 Ammonia
NHD Sodium Hydroxide <25% Aqueous
NMA N – Methyl Acrylamide
NO Nitric Oxide NO
NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide
NPE Nonylphenoxypoly Ethanol
NRG Nitrogen, Regeneration
O Oxygen
O3 Ozone
OP OP3S – Surfactant
OSC Oxygen Scavenger
OWS Oily Water Sewer
OXI Oxidant
P Process Product
PA Air, Plant
PAN Acrylonitrite
PB Polystep B-27 – Surfactant

Table 2 (continued) Fluid Code Fluid Description

PC Condensate, Process
PFO PFO Multifluor
PG Gas, Purge
PGL Glycol, Propylene
PH Potasium Hydroxide (30% – 85%)
PH3 Phosphine
PHL Phenol
PHS Potasium Hydroxide Slurry
PHW Potasium Hydroxide KOH / H2O
PIP Piperazine (Aqueous)
PL Pluronics
PLW Water, Plant
PM Premix
PMS Methyl Styrene
PO Propylene Oxide
PO4 Polyphosphate
PRW Water, Process
PSF Mechanical Seal Fluid
PT Waste Treatment
PW Water, Potable
PWC Water, Process Waste (Corrosive)
PWW Water, Process Waste (Non-Corrosive)
PX Proxel
R Refrigerant
R14 Freon 14 (CF4)
RD1 Redox 1 (Catalyst)
RD2 Redox 2 (Activator)
ROW Water, Reverse Osmosis
RW Water, River
RX Reactants
S Steam
S8 Sulfur
SA Air, Service
SAC Acid, Concentrated Sulfuric
SAD Acid, Dilute Sulfuric – Denitrified
SAP Acid, Concentrated Sulfuric – Passivated with Nitric Acid
SAU Acid, Dilute Sulfuric – Undenitrified
SAV Acid, Virgin Sulfuric – Nominal 98%
SAW Water, Sea
SC Sodium Carbonate
SCH Sewer, Chemical
SEW Sewage
SF4 Sulfur Tetrafluoride
SF6 Sulfur Hexafluoride

Table 2 (continued) Fluid CodeFluid Description

SG Synthesis Gas (Syngas)
SH Sodium Hypochlorite
SIC Silicon Tetrachloride (SiCl4)
SIF Silicon Tetrafluoride (SiF4)
SIL Silane
SL Sludge
SLS Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
SLX Selexol
SMA SMA 144OH Dispersion Solution
SNC Sewer, Non-corrosive
SNG Gas, Synthetic Natural
SO Oil, Seal
SO2 Sulfur Dioxide
SRF Surfactant
SSA Sanitary Sewer
SST Sewer, Storm
STY Styrene
SVS Sodium Vinyl Sulfonate
SW Water, Service
SWS Water, Storm Sewer
SWW Water, Sanitary Waste
T Toluene
TAC Triallyl Cyanurate
TAM TAM
TAR Distillation Bottoms
TBH Tertiary Butyl Hydroperoxide (70% / H2O)
TBA Tertiary Butyl Arsine
TBP Tertiary Butyl Phosphine
TCS Trichlorosilane
TED Triethylenediamine (TEDA)
TG Gas, Tail
TMA Trimethylamine
TP Tolytriazole / Conveying Air
TW Water, Treated
TWS Water, Tempered
U Multiple Product Identifier
UA Air, Utility
UG Gas, Utility
VAM Vinyl Acetate Monomer
VCM Vinyl Chloride Monomer
VG Gas, Vent

Table 2 (continued) Fluid Code Fluid Description

WAM Wet Adhesion Monomer (WAM)
WAS Waste Activated Sludge
WEW Water, Well
WF6 Tungsten Hexafluoride
WG Gas, Waste
WNO Nitric Overheads, Weak
WT Water, Treatment
WW Water, Waste
XE Xenon

 

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