Sankey diagrams are a type of flow map that visualize the movement or flow of materials, energy, or costs through a system, often to reveal insights into efficiency and energy use in different processes. Despite their widespread use across various disciplines such as engineering, economics, and environmental studies, these diagrams remain somewhat mysterious to many. In this article, we aim to demystify Sankey diagrams by exploring their fundamentals, applications, and how they can effectively improve material analysis and tracking.
The beauty of Sankey diagrams lies in their ability to present vast amounts of complex data with high readability. By mapping the flow of a substance along a series of horizontal branches, these diagrams allow users to visualize the distribution of values as a function of the width of the link connecting input and output processes. Here, we delve into the different aspects of Sankey diagrams that make them such a powerful tool for enhancing material analysis and tracking.
**1. Understanding Sankey Diagrams**
Sankey diagrams were developed by English engineer William Playfair in the mid-19th century, who based the diagram on the water flow diagrams he encountered at his time. Today’s Sankey diagrams are graphically constructed as a series of arrows in a horizontal layout, with each arrow representing a particular substance or energy flow.
To create a Sankey diagram, you generally follow these steps:
– Identify the process you want to analyze.
– Divide the process into segments or steps.
– Determine the flow rates of materials or energy in and out of each segment.
– Plot the flows as arrows with their lengths indicating the magnitudes of the flows.
– Define a minimum width for the arrows and a rule for determining when to make the arrow widths equal for processes of the same magnitude.
**2. Enhancing Material Analysis and Tracking**
Sankey diagrams serve as excellent tools for material analysis and tracking by providing a clear and concise representation of the flow of materials through a system. Here are some ways they do this:
**a. Process Analysis**
Sankey diagrams help in the identification of process inefficiencies. By visualizing the distribution and magnitude of flows, you can quickly identify bottlenecks, areas of high waste, or points of high energy consumption that might not be apparent in more typical graphs or tables.
**b. Systems Modeling**
They also facilitate systems modeling. Engineers and scientists use Sankey diagrams to simulate complex systems and processes, allowing for the prediction of material behavior and the identification of potential design changes for optimized performance.
**c. Environmental Impact**
Sankey diagrams are invaluable for demonstrating environmental impact. They can track the flow of emissions, waste, and resources within a company or across a supply chain, helping to make sustainable decisions and identify improvements.
**3. Selecting the Right Software**
To create Sankey diagrams, several tools and software packages are available, such as:
– Sankey Diagrams (a Python library)
– TUIO Sankey (a JavaScript library)
– ProcessFlow (a web-based Sankey diagram maker)
Each tool provides its own set of features and customization options to cater to the specific needs of material analysis and tracking. Users with advanced data analysis skills can also write custom scripts for generating high-quality and interactive Sankey diagrams.
**4. The Benefits of a Visual Approach**
The visual nature of Sankey diagrams makes them particularly beneficial for presentations, reports, and educational purposes. They convey a much clearer picture of processes and flows than traditional analytical methods, resulting in better understanding and communication of complex data.
In conclusion, Sankey diagrams demystify the flow of materials, energy, or costs, offering an intuitive and informative way to analyze and track processes across various disciplines. By using these visual flow maps, experts and professionals can more effectively identify inefficiencies, understand system behavior, and make informed decisions that can lead to significant improvements in resource use, efficiency, and sustainability.
