1.1. Block Flow Diagram (BFD)

Block flow diagrams were introduced early in the chemical engineering curriculum. In the first course in material and energy balances, often an initial step was to convert a word problem into a simple block diagram. This diagram consisted of a series of blocks representing different equipment or unit operations that were connected by input and output streams. Important information such as operating temperatures, pressures, conversions, and yield was included on the diagram along with flowrates and some chemical compositions. However, the diagram did not include any details of equipment within any of the blocks.

The block flow diagram can take one of two forms. First, a block flow diagram may be drawn for a single process. Alternatively, a block flow diagram may be drawn for a complete chemical complex involving many different chemical processes. These two types of diagrams are differentiated by calling the first a block flow process diagram and the second a block flow plant diagram.