Power Flow on Paper: Decoding Sankey Charts Unveiled

Sankey diagrams, also known as steamgraphs, flow diagrams, or Sankey charts, are a type of flow diagram originally developed in the late 19th century by the engineer Karl Sankey to document the energy flow in manufacturing processes. These unique visual tools are still widely used today across a range of fields for illustrating the flow of various entities, including materials, energy, and information. In an era where data visualization is crucial for making sense of complex systems and processes, understanding how to create and apply Sankey charts is vital. This article delves into the art of Sankey chart creation and their diverse applications.

The Basics of Sankey Charts

At their core, Sankey diagrams are designed to show the directional flow of quantities in a system, particularly between different processes or components. Each flow in the chart is represented by a vector, with the magnitude of the vector proportional to the quantity of flow it depicts.

Key Elements of Sankey Charts:

• Flow Lines: These are the vectors that represent the flow of materials or energy. The width of a flow line is proportional to the quantity being measured, with narrow flows indicating smaller quantities and broader flows indicating larger quantities.

• Nodes: Nodes are the points where two or more flow lines intersect. They represent specific components or interfaces in the system.

• Arrows or Labels: These indicate the direction of flow. An arrow or label can either point to the node or be positioned close to the line.

• Scale: It is important to have a clearly defined scale so that the diagram’s readers can accurately interpret the sizes of the flow lines.

Creating Sankey Charts:

The process of creating Sankey diagrams can be broken down into several steps:

1. Define the System: First, determine the processes or elements involved in your Sankey diagram and understand how they interact.

2. Collect Data: Gather data on the quantities involved, including the total input and output flows.

3. Select Software or Tools: You can draw Sankey diagrams by hand or use specific software tools like Microsoft Excel, Adobe Illustrator, or Sankey diagram software specifically built for this purpose.

4. Determine Scale and Orientation: Decide on the scale that represents the largest flow and choose the orientation of your diagram for clarity. Typically, Sankey diagrams are oriented from left to right, though this can vary.

5. Draw Nodes and Connect Flows: Start by drawing nodes to represent the systems’ components and use the scale to indicate how much flow enters and leaves each node. Use lines to connect the nodes according to the flow paths and adjust the widths to represent the quantity of flow.

6. Insert Arrows/Lables: Add arrows or labels to indicate the flow directions.

7. Review and Refine: Once the initial diagram is complete, review it for clarity and accuracy, making necessary adjustments.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey diagrams can be applied in a broad spectrum of fields, including but not limited to:

Energy Diagnostics:

In energy systems, Sankey charts are used to visualize energy flows, helping identify energy saving opportunities and understanding overall energy efficiency.

Logistics and Supply Chain:

Sankey diagrams can assist in visualizing the transportation and movement of goods within a supply chain, highlighting bottlenecks or inefficiencies.

Economics:

In economic studies, Sankey diagrams can track capital flows, showcasing how money moves within an economy and across various markets.

Information Systems:

Information flow in a network, such as the flow of data in computer systems or ideas in the social sciences, can be visualized, making it easier to understand complex processes.

Environmental Studies:

Environmental scientists can use Sankey charts to measure and communicate the flow of substances within ecological systems or to monitor the environmental impacts of chemical processes.

Engineering:

Sankey diagrams are useful in engineering for analyzing energy or material flows in systems like manufacturing processes, illustrating how materials enter and exit processes and what transformations occur along the way.

Conclusion

Whether you’re analyzing the intricate dance of energy flow in a power plant or simplifying the complex exchange of information in a social network, Sankey charts can illuminate patterns and inefficiencies that might otherwise go unnoticed. With their unique ability to depict the flow of materials or energies in systems of all sizes, from macro to micro, Sankey diagrams remain a powerful tool for any data enthusiast or professional seeking to navigate the complexities of modern systems. By understanding the principles of Sankey chart creation and their applications, you can harness the strength of this visual marvel for your own information interpretation and presentation needs.

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.