Fließweg

Fließweg is a German term that literally means the path of flow. In technical usage it denotes the route that a fluid or material follows as it moves through a system, device, or landscape. The concept is applied in fields where understanding the progression of a flow is important for design, analysis, or prognosis.

The word combines fließen (to flow) and Weg (path or way). As such, Fließweg is a generic concept whose precise meaning depends on the context. It is commonly used in hydrology and geomorphology to describe the surface or subsurface route of water from precipitation to its outlet, including overland flow, infiltration, drainage channels, and pipes. In process engineering and chemical production, Fließweg refers to the sequence of components through which a fluid or slurry travels, such as tanks, exchangers, pumps, and reactors. In environmental engineering, the term is used to analyze pollutant transport along the flow path in soils, groundwater, or surface waters.

Analysis and modeling of Fließweg often involve hydrodynamic simulations, tracer tests, and GIS-based routing to estimate travel times, residence times, dilution, and exposure. Practical applications include design of drainage and sewer networks, optimization of mixing and reaction in processing systems, and assessment of environmental impacts along a flow path.

See also: flow path, flow network, tracer test, residence time distribution, hydrological routing.