flowthrough

Flow-through, also written as flowthrough, is a term used across disciplines to describe systems in which a substance or signal passes through a device, medium, or process with limited storage or buildup. The concept emphasizes continuity and real-time processing rather than accumulation.

In science and engineering, flow-through configurations include reactors and membrane systems in which an influent stream passes through a catalyst bed, filter, or sensor. They are common in wastewater treatment, chemical synthesis, and analytical chemistry. Benefits include continuous operation, representative exposure conditions, and straightforward sampling of effluent. Flow-through immunoassays and related sensors use the same principle, with reagents or samples moving through a surface to enable rapid measurements.

In finance, flow-through shares are a Canadian instrument used to finance mining, oil and gas exploration. They pass on to investors certain tax deductions or credits for exploration expenditures, effectively allowing tax attributes to flow through to individuals. The mechanism aims to spur investment but has been subject to policy changes and debate about its economic impact.

The term also appears in diagnostics and environmental monitoring to describe processes that operate in a continuous, pass-through fashion, emphasizing real-time data and minimal sample storage.