Material Balance

Material balance is a method used to track the amount of materials in a process or system, ensuring that the input, output, and accumulation of materials are balanced. It involves accounting for everything that enters, leaves, or stays within a system to understand its efficiency or to detect losses. Think of it like balancing a checkbook: the total amount you put in plus what you start with should equal what you take out plus what remains. This principle helps engineers and managers optimize processes, identify leaks or inefficiencies, and ensure safe and sustainable operations.