Block Flow Diagram

Title: Block flow diagram

Authors: Nick Pinkerton, Karen Schmidt, and James Xamplas

Date Presented: January 15, 2013 /Date Revised: January 18, 2013

Introduction

Block Flow Diagrams, BFDs, are process flow models used to simplify and understand the structure of a system. BFDs are the simplest form of the flow diagrams used where blocks can represent anything from a single piece of equipment to an entire plant. For a complex process, block flow diagrams can be used to break up a complicated system into more reasonable principle stages.

Block flow diagram

BFD's are a useful tool for reports, textbooks and presentations when a detailed process flow diagram is too cumbersome.

Models

BFDs come in many forms and styles. They can be extremely simple or very detailed in their explanation of a process.

I/O Diagrams

The simplest form of BFD, the I/O (input/output) Diagram provides the material streams entering and exiting the process. The diagram is modeled using arrows entering and exiting a process box to represent the inputs and outputs respectively.

Example 1: Acrylic Acid From Propylene by Catalytic Oxidation

Block Flow Diagram Example 1: Acrylic Acid From Propylene by Catalytic Oxidation

Example 2: Isopropyl Alcohol from Propylene by Direct Hydration

Block Flow Diagram Example 2: Isopropyl Alcohol from Propylene by Direct Hydration

Example 3: Caprolactam From Toluene

Block Flow Diagram Example 3: Caprolactam From Toluene

References

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