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Estimating parameters in nonlinear rate equations
Author(s) -
Watts Donald G.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.5450720420
Subject(s) - nonlinear system , mathematics , profiling (computer programming) , estimation theory , arrhenius equation , mathematical optimization , econometrics , computer science , statistical physics , statistics , physics , quantum mechanics , kinetics , operating system
Abstract Reaction rate equations with coefficients that have an Arrhenius dependence on temperature require nonlinear procedures to obtain parameter estimates. Estimates are important, but of equal importance are their measures of plausibility. The simplest measures, in the form (estimate ± limits), are based on linear approximations, which can be, and often are, highly misleading. But there is no need to use approximations because modern statistical profiling techniques can produce accurate intervals very efficiently. Profiling also provides valuable insight into the estimation situation by revealing how models can be simplified. Strategies are given for model reformulation and parameter transformation to produce models with well‐behaved estimates.