A single-flow open steady system has only one inlet (i-state)
and one exit (e-state).
Examples: Turbines,
nozzles, compressors, diffusers, etc. Browse animations in Animations.4.A for more examples of single-flow open steady systems.
Non-Mixing Multi-Flow
There are two separate flows through the system without any possibility
of mixing in a non-mixing, multi-flow configuration. Two
pairs of flow states, i1- and
e1-states, and
i2-
and
e2-states,
are necessary to describe the two flows.
Examples: Different types of exchangers are non-mixing, multi-flow systems. Browse animations in Animations.4.B for more examples.
Mixing Multi-Flow
The system has two inlets ( i1-
and
i2-states)
and two exits ( e1-
and e2-states).
By using only one of the exits, the system can be converted into a mixing
chamber. Similarly, using a single inlet a separator (or flash chamber)
can be simulated, where a single stream of fluid (vapor-liquid mixture
for example) separates into two different streams (vapor and liquid stream
as in a flash chamber). Browse animations in Animations.4.C for more examples.
Generic Open Steady System and Its Governing Balance Equations
