Sankey charts are a type of diagram that have been popular for many years, and have recently become more commonly used for water flow applications. Unlike standard flow diagrams, which use arrows to represent flow direction, Sankey charts use bars to visually represent the flow of fluids. This can make it easier to understand the flow of water in a complex system and can help identify areas where flow is concentrated or dispersed.
In this article, we will explain what a Sankey chart is, how to create and interpret them, and provide some common applications of Sankey charts when it comes to understanding water flow.
An Overview of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are a type of diagram that represent the flow of a specific fluid. They are typically used to identify areas of high flow or low flow and to understand the overall flow of the fluid in the system. The main difference between a Sankey chart and a flow diagram is, in addition to arrows and lines, Sankey charts use bars to represent the flow of fluid.
To create a Sankey chart, you’ll need to determine the type of fluid you wish to analyze, and the flow direction of that fluid. Next, decide the location(s) where measurements will be taken and determine how many measurements you wish to include. Once you’ve decided on how many bars will be used, each bar will represent a specific measurement, and each arrow will represent the direction of flow.
For example, let’s say we wish to analyze the flow of water in a water treatment plant. We would need to determine how much precipitation enters the plant, the amount of water used for cooling in the plant, and the amount of reclaimed water that is discharged. Each bar would represent a measure of precipitation, water usage for cooling, or reclaimed water flow, and each arrow would indicate where water is entering the system or exiting.
Once you have determined the system to analyze and created your Sankey chart, you can use it to identify areas of high flow or low flow and to understand the overall flow of the fluid in the system. By coloring bars based on the amount of flow, you can quickly identify areas where flow is high or low and can help to identify inefficiencies.
Common Applications of Sankey Charts
While there are many different ways to use Sankey charts, here are a few common applications where Sankey charts are used to understand water flow:
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Water Treatment Plants: By analyzing the Sankey chart of water usage in a water treatment plant, you can identify areas of high water usage and work to optimize the process to reduce water waste.
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Stormwater Management: Sankey charts can be used to understand the flow of stormwater in an area and identify areas where runoff is high or low. This can help to prevent flooding and improve water quality.
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Agriculture: Sankey charts can be used to understand the flow of water in an agricultural system and identify areas where water is being used inefficiently.
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Environmental Monitoring: Sankey charts can be used to monitor the flow of water in environmental systems, such as rivers or lakes, and identify areas of high pollution or nutrient runoff.
By using Sankey charts, we can better understand water flow in complex systems and identify areas for improvement. These diagrams are useful for a variety of purposes, from identifying inefficiencies in water treatment plants to understanding the flow of water in environmental systems. So the next time you’re trying to understand water flow, consider using a Sankey chart to gain a deeper understanding.
SankeyMaster
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