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Coriolis Flow Meter Symbol P&ID: Read Instrumentation Layout Blueprints
Quick Answer: A Coriolis flow meter on a P&ID usually appears as a circle with a tag number starting with F. The most common function codes are FE, FIT, FIC, or FIQ. Read the tag, follow the signal line, and check the instrument data sheet to confirm mass flow, density, and temperature outputs.
Engineers who read P&ID drawings and instrumentation layout blueprints often ask how to identify a Coriolis mass flow meter quickly. The symbol is not complex. But the details matter.
What the Coriolis Flow Meter P&ID Symbol Looks Like
On most P&ID drawings based on ISA 5.1, a flow element appears as a circle with a line through it. The circle is usually small, about 8 to 10 millimetres on a printed A3 sheet. The tag text sits next to the circle or above the line. For a Coriolis meter, you will see function letters like FE, FIT, FIC, FQ, or FIQ.
FE means flow element. FIT means flow indicating transmitter. FIC means flow indicating controller. FQ means flow totaliser. Many Coriolis meters are tagged as FIT because they have an integral transmitter with 4-20 mA HART output. Some plants tag the same device as FIQ because the meter also reports total mass flow in kilograms per hour.
Do not expect the P&ID symbol to show the bent tube shape. That shape appears on vendor cut sheets and installation drawings. The P&ID symbol keeps the control logic clear.
How to Read the Tag Number and Function Codes
Start with the first letter. F means flow. The second letter tells you the function. T means transmitter, E means element, I means indicator, C means controller, Q means totaliser. The number after the letters is the loop number. For example, FIT-2105A belongs to loop 2105. The suffix A means a parallel device in the same loop.
Check the signal line from the bubble. A solid line with a bubble often means the signal goes to a DCS or PLC. A dashed line means electrical. A line with a diagonal slash means field mount. Some drawings use a small balloon with a tag number on the signal line. Read that balloon to find the marshalling cabinet and channel number.
What to Check on the Instrumentation Layout Blueprint
The P&ID tells you what the meter does. The layout drawing tells you where it sits. Look for the tag number on the plan view and elevation view. Check the pipe class, flange rating, and electrical conduit route. For a Coriolis meter, confirm the installation length between flanges matches the face to face dimension on the vendor drawing.
In practice, you need to check several points.
Pipe size and flange standard. A DN25 meter fits a 1 inch line. A DN80 meter fits a 3 inch line.
Hazardous area rating. Many installations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East need ATEX Zone 1 or Zone 2. The layout drawing marks the area classification with a hatching pattern and zone text.
Cable entry size. For 4-20 mA HART wiring, the meter usually has M20 x 1.5 or NPT 1/2 inch entries. Confirm on the hookup drawing.
Supports and clearance. Coriolis meters are heavier than an orifice plate. A DN50 meter can weigh 18 kg. The layout drawing should show pipe supports within 500 millimetres of each flange.
Common Mistakes When Reading Coriolis Meter Drawings
Many engineers skip the instrument data sheet. That is a mistake. The P&ID symbol does not show wetted material, pressure rating, density range, or viscosity limits. A Coriolis meter for a chemical plant may need Hastelloy C-22 tubes. A meter for food and beverage may need EHEDG approval. The symbol stays the same. The data sheet changes.
Another mistake is assuming the P&ID tag number always uses F. Some plants use M for mass. This is less common but it happens. If you see a tag starting with M, check the legend sheet. The legend sheet defines all symbols and abbreviations used on that drawing set.
We have seen this on customer sites many times. A technician connects the 4-20 mA wires to the wrong terminals because the loop sheet was read in a hurry. The P&ID and the hookup drawing must be read together.
Quick Reference for Tag Examples
Here is a simple way to read typical tags on a Coriolis meter.
FIT-3101: flow indicating transmitter, loop 3101, usually wired to the control system with 4-20 mA HART.
FE-3102: flow element onl
FIQ-3103: flow indicating totaliser. The meter sends a pulse output for mass total and 4-20 mA for flow rate.
FIC-3104: flow indicating controller. The meter output goes to a control valve. The set point can be kilograms per hour or tons per hour.
What a Coriolis Meter Adds to the P&ID Loop
A Coriolis meter can output mass flow, density, temperature, and sometimes viscosity. The P&ID may show multiple signal lines from one device. For example, one signal goes to the flow controller. Another signal goes to the density indicator. A third signal goes to the safety system. The instrument bubble for a Coriolis meter will then carry multiple tags. This is common on custody transfer skids in Australia and Oman.
Because a Coriolis meter measures mass flow directly, it does not need pressure and temperature compensation like a vortex meter or an orifice plate. This saves engineering time on gas flow measurement. For liquid chemicals, a Coriolis meter also handles density changes better than a turbine meter.
Installation Notes From Real Projects
Last year a customer in Vietnam asked us to check a P&ID for a paint blending skid. The drawing showed a Coriolis meter downstream of a gear pump. The pump created pulsation. The solution was to install a DN20 Silver Instruments Coriolis meter with a pulsation damper and flexible hoses. The layout drawing had to be revised to add 300 millimetres of straight flexible hose before the meter.
A desalination plant in Oman used a DN50 Coriolis meter to measure antiscalant dosing at 15 to 120 litres per hour. The P&ID tag was FIT-4502. The wetted parts were 316L stainless steel. The output was 4-20 mA HART to the dosing skid PLC. The layout blueprint showed the meter installed vertically with upward flow. This kept air from collecting in the tubes.
Key Specifications to Confirm Before Ordering
Send us your process conditions and we will recommend a Coriolis meter model. Include fluid name, pressure in bar, temperature in degrees Celsius, pipe size in DN, nominal flow range, and hazardous area requirement.
For example, a customer in Indonesia ordered a DN40 Coriolis meter for palm oil custody transfer. The meter had PT100 temperature compensation and a pulse output for a remote totaliser. The tag on the P&ID was FIQ-8801. The flow range was 200 to 20,000 kg/h. The line pressure was 12 bar. The process temperature was 85 degrees Celsius.
Contact Silver Automation Instruments
Silver Automation Instruments supplies Coriolis mass flow meters, electromagnetic flow meters, ultrasonic flow meters, vortex flow meters, oval gear flow meters, thermal mass flow meters, pressure transmitters, and paperless recorders. We ship to Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.
Tel: +86-135-1213-1526
Whatsapp: 86-135-12131526
WeChat: +86 13512131526
Website: flow-meter.com.au
FAQ: Coriolis Flow Meter Symbol P&ID
1. What does a Coriolis flow meter symbol look like on a P&ID?
A circle with a line through it and a tag starting with F. Common tags are FE, FIT, FIC, or FIQ. The symbol does not show the internal tube shape.
2. What is the difference between FE and FIT on a P&ID?
FE means flow element only. FIT means flow indicating transmitter. A Coriolis meter with integral electronics is usually tagged FIT.
3. How do I read the tag number on an instrument layout blueprint?
Find the tag number on the plan view. Match it to the P&ID loop number. Check the instrument data sheet for range, material, and wiring details.
4. Does a Coriolis meter need straight run length?
Most Coriolis meters do not need long straight runs. But the installation should avoid vibration, pulsation, and air entrainment. Follow the layout drawing for support and clearance.
5. Can a Coriolis meter measure gas and liquid?
Yes. Mass flow output works for liquid and gas. Confirm the pressure drop and flow range with the vendor. A DN15 meter may measure gas flow from 0.5 to 50 kg/h depending on density.
If you have a P&ID or layout drawing with an unclear Coriolis meter tag, send it to us. We will help you identify the model, wiring, and process parameters. No cost for the first drawing review.
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