LAPSE:2025.0421v1
Published Article

LAPSE:2025.0421v1
Talking like Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
June 27, 2025
Abstract
We propose a methodology that allows communication with Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) using natural language. In particular, we represent P&IDs through the DEXPI data model as labeled property graphs and integrate them with Large Language Models (LLMs). The approach consists of three main parts: 1) P&IDs are cast into a graph representation from the DEXPI format using our pyDEXPI Python package. 2) A tool for generating P&ID knowledge graphs from pyDEXPI. 3) Integration of the P&ID knowledge graph to LLMs using graph-based retrieval augmented generation (graph-RAG). This approach allows users to communicate with P&IDs using natural language. It extends LLMs ability to retrieve contextual data from P&IDs and mitigate hallucinations. Leveraging the LLM's large corpus, the model is also able to interpret process information in P&IDs, which could help engineers in their daily tasks. In the future, this work will also open up opportunities in the context of other generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) solutions on P&IDs, and AI-assisted HAZOP studies.
We propose a methodology that allows communication with Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) using natural language. In particular, we represent P&IDs through the DEXPI data model as labeled property graphs and integrate them with Large Language Models (LLMs). The approach consists of three main parts: 1) P&IDs are cast into a graph representation from the DEXPI format using our pyDEXPI Python package. 2) A tool for generating P&ID knowledge graphs from pyDEXPI. 3) Integration of the P&ID knowledge graph to LLMs using graph-based retrieval augmented generation (graph-RAG). This approach allows users to communicate with P&IDs using natural language. It extends LLMs ability to retrieve contextual data from P&IDs and mitigate hallucinations. Leveraging the LLM's large corpus, the model is also able to interpret process information in P&IDs, which could help engineers in their daily tasks. In the future, this work will also open up opportunities in the context of other generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) solutions on P&IDs, and AI-assisted HAZOP studies.
Record ID
Keywords
Graph-based Retrieval Augmented Generation, Knowledge Graph, Large Language Models
Subject
Suggested Citation
Alimin AA, Goldstein DP, Balhorn LS, Schweidtmann AM. Talking like Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs). Systems and Control Transactions 4:1676-1681 (2025) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.159477
Author Affiliations
Alimin AA: Process Intelligence Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
Goldstein DP: Process Intelligence Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
Balhorn LS: Process Intelligence Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
Schweidtmann AM: Process Intelligence Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
Goldstein DP: Process Intelligence Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
Balhorn LS: Process Intelligence Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
Schweidtmann AM: Process Intelligence Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, Delft 2629 HZ, The Netherlands
Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
4
First Page
1676
Last Page
1681
Year
2025
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: 1676-1681-1172-SCT-4-2025, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2025.0421v1
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https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.159477
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Jun 27, 2025
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Links to Related Works
References Cited
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- M. Theißen and M. Wiedau, DEXPI P&ID Specification 1.3, 2021
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