Fluid Dropoff

Drops off fluid from the passing through agents. Serves as an interface block between the Process Modeling Library (or any other library based on it) and the Fluid Library. Each agent is assumed to have a certain amount of fluid or bulk matter to drop off, and upon arrival of an agent, this block starts the outflow. Unlike the AgentToFluid block, this block does not delete the agent. Instead, the block delays the agent until the fluid has completely flowed out, releases the agent through the out port and lets it continue its operation.

FluidDropoff may contain only one agent at a time, and the next agent will not be let in until the fluid of the current agent has completely flowed out.

The Fluid Library will try to maximize the out flow of all fluid sources; therefore, the priority of FluidDropoff out flow is set to 1 by default. Sometimes, to resolve flow priority conflicts, you may need to customize the out flow priority by further increasing it.

Optionally, FluidDropoff can generate batches, one batch per agent. The batch type and color can depend on the agent as the agent can be accessed from the dynamic Batch field.

Parameters

Fluid to dropoff [dynamic]

Determines the amount of fluid to be dropped off by the agent.
Type of value: double
Local variable: Agent agent - the agent

Rate

The maximum (desired) output rate.
Syntax: double rate
Set new value at runtime: set_rate(new value)

Custom priority

If the option is set (the value equals true), the priority of the pipeline outflow will be defined by the Output flow priority parameter below, otherwise it equals 1. Priority affects the LP solver when it tries to maximize the flow through the system.
Syntax: boolean customPriority
Set new value at runtime: set_customPriority(new value)

Output flow priority

[Visible and applies only if the Custom priority option is set] Custom priority of the outflow of this block in the overall flowchart. Must be a positive integer.
Syntax: int priorityOutCustom
Set new value at runtime: set_priorityOutCustom(new value)

Custom batches [dynamic]

Determines whether the block will generate custom batches (which may depend on the agent). If the option is selected, the batch corresponding to the agent will be defined by the Batch parameter. If not, it will be BatchTypes.DEFAULT_BATCH.
Type of value: boolean
Local variable: Agent agent - the agent

Batch [dynamic]

[Visible and applies only if the Custom option is set] Defines the batch to be created for the current agent.
Type of value: Object
Local variable: Agent agent - the agent

Custom batch color

[Visible and applies only if the Custom option is set] If the option is set, the batch color is defined by the Batch color parameter, otherwise the standard color mapping applies.
Syntax: boolean customBatchColor
Set new value at runtime: set_customBatchColor(new value)

Batch color [dynamic]

[Visible and applies only if the Custom batch color option is set] Defines the color of the current batch, which may depend on the agent and the batch.
Type of value: Color
Local variables: Agent agent - the agent
Object batch - the batch

Agent location

Space markup shape (node or path) where the agents are located while being in this block.
Name: agentLocation
Set new value at runtime: set_agentLocation(new value)

Animation

Storage tank

Here you can specify the name of Storage tank space markup shape used to animate FluidDropoff (both in 2D and 3D animation). The storage tank animates the fluid the block currently contains.
Syntax: StorageTank storageTank

Show batches in flowchart

If set, the block icon will display the current batch color.
Syntax: boolean showBatchesInFlowchart
Set new value at runtime: set_showBatchesInFlowchart(new value)

Actions

On enter [code]

Action executed upon arrival of an agent at the block.
Local variable: Agent agent - the agent

On agent done [code]

Action executed when the total amount has been dropped off (flowed out through the outFluid port). The agent will proceed to the out port, and the next agent will be allowed to enter.
Local variables: Agent agent - the agent
double amount - the amount

On rate change [code]

Action executed when the flow rate changes. Please note that changing something in the action may result in another immediate rate change and immediately following another call of On rate change, so the user can possibly create a livelock.
Local variable: double outrate - the current output rate

Functions

double amountPassed() - Returns the total amount of fluid passed through the outFluid port of the block since the start of the simulation.

double amount() - Returns the amount of fluid currently contained in the block and waiting to flow out. This amount is less or equal the total amount of fluid to be dropped off by the current agent.

double totalAmountToDropoff() - Returns the total amount of fluid being dropped off by the current agent, or 0 if there is no agent in the block.

Agent agent() - Returns the current agent dropping off fluid, or null if there is no agent.

double amount(AmountUnits units) - Returns the amount of fluid (in given units) currently contained in the block and waiting to flow out. This amount is less or equal the total amount of fluid to be dropped off by the current agent.

double amountPassed(AmountUnits units) - Returns the total amount of fluid passed (in given units) through the outFluid port of the block since the start of the simulation.

double totalAmountToDropoff(AmountUnits units) - Returns the total amount of fluid (in given units) being dropped off by the current agent, or 0 if there is no agent in the block.

double currentRate() - Returns the current flow rate of fluid that goes out.

double currentRate(FlowRateUnits units) - Returns the current flow rate (in given units) of fluid that goes out.

void resetStats() - Resets statistics collected for this block, including the statistics collected for its ports.

Ports

outFluid

The fluid output port.

in

The agent input port.

out

The agent output port.