Co-Flow is shorthand for "coincident
flow." In Co-Flow processes, the flow is an
artifact of some other flow within your model. These processes are used to
dynamically track an attribute associated with a material quantity. The inputs to the
Co-Flow process are the primary flow and a conversion coefficient. The flow
typically is generated as the product of the two. Thus, the two flows are identical
except for the conversion coefficient.
Algebraic Form:
co-flow = Primary Flow * conversion coefficient
(units/time) = (Units/time) *
(units/Unit)
The pattern of behavior exhibited by the
Co-Flow structure will mirror that of the
primary flow, unless the conversion coefficient is a variable. The Co-Flow structures
shown below illustrate the use of the Co-Flow in the natural and social sciences.
As these illustrations indicate, the Co-Flow
often is used to track an average
attribute of some material quantity. The average is calculated by dividing the Stock
that is fed by the Co-Flow by the Primary Stock .
The examples in Figs at provide
additional illustrations of the Co-Flow Process.
