Study of the sensitivity of coupled reaction systems to uncertainties in rate coefficients. III. Analysis of the approximations

Abstract

In Parts I and II of this series [J. Chem. Phys. 59, 3873, 3879 (1973)] we developed a new method of sensitivity analysis for large sets of coupled nonlinear equations with many parameters. In developing this theory and in carrying out the computer calculations involved in this analysis we made a number of approximations. We present here a quantitative analysis of these approximations and, where applicable, develop rigorous error bounds. Our analysis shows that we can specify the approximations which enter into our theory so as to obtain sensitivity measures of known accuracy. On this basis we feel that the techniques developed in this series of papers provide a useful and efficient method of sensitivity analysis of large systems with many parameters.