Unconstrained Balance Points

If you are balancing a component in a process stream, or multiple components but not the whole, all the same equations apply as for the node, manifold, or inventory scenarios. However, the state balances described before are omitted in the flows that are connected to the node, tank, or manifold where the balance is done. This is commonly used where not all components of the mixture are characterized or measured. For example, two metals, M1 and M2, are measured in a process stream, their concentrations are known but the rest of the components in the mixture or solvent are unknown. In this specific problem, the constraint equation is unnecessary; by adding it, the reconciliation leads to normalized values that do not represent reality.

Note: Unconstrained nodes have the attribute “ConstrainedComponentBalanceFlag” set to FALSE and the “ComponentBalanceFlag” set to TRUE. See section "Component Balance Flags."

Note: Prior to performing the balance calculation, if an Element has any Attribute with a bad value (flagged as bad by the data reference), that has the SF_AnalysisInput Attribute category, the analysis marks the Element as out of service (OS) and then runs the calculation.