Can the Splitter component be set with a split ratio?

[WangJ501]

The total flow rate is a variable, and I cannot determine the size of the branch flow rate. So, is there a way that the Splitter component can be set with a split ratio?

[fwitte]

Hi @WangJ501,

yes this can be done. There is no parameter directly associated with the Splitter or Merge for this, but you can reference one mass flow to another one like this:

from tespy.components import Source, Sink, SimpleHeatExchanger, Splitter
from tespy.connections import Connection, Ref
from tespy.networks import Network


nw = Network()
nw.units.set_defaults(
    temperature="°C",
    pressure="bar",
    heat="kW"
)

water = Source("water inflow")
boiler = SimpleHeatExchanger("boiler")
splitter = Splitter("splitter")
steam1 = Sink("steam 1")
steam2 = Sink("steam 2")

c1 = Connection(water, "out1", boiler, "in1", label="c1")
c2 = Connection(boiler, "out1", splitter, "in1", label="c2")
c3 = Connection(splitter, "out1", steam1, "in1", label="c3")
c4 = Connection(splitter , "out2", steam2, "in1", label="c4")

nw.add_conns(c1, c2, c3, c4)

c1.set_attr(fluid={"water": 1}, p=50, T=25)
c2.set_attr(x=1)

c3.set_attr(m=Ref(c2, 0.9, 0))  # c3 mass flow is 90 % of c2 mass flow

boiler.set_attr(Q=100, dp=0)

nw.solve("design")

Or you can reference c3 to c4, for example make them the same value:

c3.set_attr(m=Ref(c4, 1, 0))  # c3 and c4 mass flow are equal

Best

[fwitte]

P.S.: Reference can be applied to mass flow, pressure, enthalpy, temperature and volumetric flow.

[WangJ501]

Thank you, this is very helpful.