A Statistical Approach to Error Analysis in Thermal Process Calculations

Abstract

ABSTRACT A method for the statistical analysis of thermal process calculations is presented. First, an analysis is made of some of the uncertainties involved in thermal death time and heat penetration experiments. That information is then used to evaluate the consequences on process lethality calculations. A method is presented for using the results for the assignment of safety factors. Finally, the limitations and implementation problems associated with this method are discussed, particularly the lack of fit of some sets of experimental data to the logarithmic bacterial death model.