Flow diagrams are a powerful tool for visualizing and understanding complex systems, particularly those involving a large variety of interacting elements. One such flow diagram is the Sankey chart, which is a type of network diagram used to show the flow of a particular substance, such as oil, in a system.
A Sankey chart consists of a series of “flowlines” connecting a set of nodes together, with each flowline representing a different type of material. The nodes on a Sankey chart represent the different components of the system, and the flowlines connect these components with arrows indicating the direction of movement.
One of the greatest advantages of a Sankey chart is its ability to show the flow of material in a specific direction, a feature that is often overlooked in other types of network diagrams. The lines between nodes can be colored to indicate the type of material flowing through it, and labels can be added under each node to explain the nature of the component.
In addition to showing the direction of flow, Sankey charts can also be used to illustrate the relationships between different components of the system. For example, a Sankey chart might be used to show how the movement of materials relates to the amount of energy or resources required to move them. This can help to identify bottlenecks in a system, and identify opportunities for improvement.
One of the key challenges in creating a Sankey chart is determining which nodes to include. A Sankey chart can become cluttered if too many nodes are included, and it can be difficult to identify the flow of materials between different nodes. To avoid this, a rule of thumb is to include only the nodes that represent the core components of the system and prioritize the flowlines between those nodes.
In conclusion, the Sankey chart is a powerful tool for visualizing complex systems and showing the flow of materials in a specific direction. By including flowlines and labeling nodes with information about the nature of the components, Sankey charts can highlight important relationships and opportunities for improvement.

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