Flow Visualism Unraveled: The Art of Sankey Cartographies

In our increasingly connected and dynamic world, there is a growing need to understand and visualize complex systems and flows. One of the most elegant and insightful tools for this task is the Sankey diagram, a form of flow visualization that tracks and illustrates the flow of energy, materials, or money. In this article, we’ll unravel the art of Sankey cartographies, delve into their creation, and explore their diverse applications across various fields.

Understanding Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams were developed by British mechanical engineer and physicist William Playfair in the 1880s. Named after Max Sankey, who became one of the first to apply these diagrams to industrial thermodynamics, they are particularly useful for visualizing the energy systems within processes or the flow of materials in chemical systems.

At their core, Sankey diagrams are made up of a series of horizontal and vertical lines with a thickness that represents the quantity of the flow. Arrows indicate the direction of the flow, generally from sources to destinations. The overall flow is conserved, ensuring that the entire quantity of fuel in a system, for example, is included.

The Elements of Sankey Cartographies

Streams

The horizontal and vertical lines that form the basis of Sankey diagrams are known as streams or vectors. The thickness of a stream shows the magnitude of the flow; wider streams indicate higher amounts of flow.

Nodes and Arrows

Nodes or junctions are the points where streams meet, indicating the conversion of material from one form to another or the start and end points of a flow. Arrows are used to show the direction of flow, with the arrowheads pointing from supplies to outputs.

Headers and Labels

Headers at the top or bottom of the diagram often provide context, such as the type of energy or material being visualized. Labels on the streams specify the different phases or stages through which the material or energy is moving.

Crafting Sankey Diagrams

Creating a Sankey diagram requires attention to detail and an understanding of the system being visualized. Here are the basic steps involved:

Define the system: Understanding what is entering and leaving your system is crucial for the creation of a Sankey diagram.
Break down the processes: Identify and list all process steps, as well as the energy or materi al flow at each step.
Determine the flows: Quantify the flows of interest at each stage. In energy systems, this will be the energy consumed or produced.
Map the flows: Position the process steps and flows accordingly in your diagram, ensuring the system’s boundaries are clearly defined.
Scale the streams: Adjust the width of the streams to reflect the quantities of materials or energy.
Add labels and headers: Ensure all elements of the system are labeled correctly for clarity.

Tools for Sankey Diagrams Creation

There are numerous software packages and online tools designed to facilitate the creation of Sankey diagrams. Some popular tools include Draw.io, Microsoft Excel, TallysMan, and Sankey Excel Spreadsheet.

Applications of Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams are versatile and find applications across a variety of industries, including:

Energy Systems: Visualizing energy flow in factories, vehicles, and utility infrastructure.
Chemical Process Engineering: Illustrating the transfer of materials within chemical processes.
Environmental Science: Representing the flow of carbon or water in ecosystems and their impact.
Transportation: Displaying the distribution of materials or people along a specific transportation network.
Economics: Tracking financial flows, such as investments or funds allocated to different projects.

sankey Diagrams facilitate the identification of areas where more energy is lost, where materials could be conserved, and how resources might be best allocated. They are a powerful tool for optimizing processes and driving innovation.

Conclusion

Flow visualization, as facilitated by Sankey diagrams, is an essential technique that aids in understanding complex systems and processes. By presenting complex data in an intuitive, at-a-glance format, Sankey diagrams unlock insights that could otherwise remain hidden. Embracing this art form of Sankey cartographies opens new possibilities for analysis, decision-making, and continuous improvement in various fields.

SankeyMaster

SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.