Evaluation of uncertainty in direct measurement for parameterization of pyrolysis models, Part I: Thermal analysis

A comprehensive uncertainty analysis is an important part of any engineering calculation because it allows stakeholders to assess the confidence in the conclusions that come from the calculation. Without this necessary step in hypothesis testing and model validation, the true accuracy and confidence of predictions cannot be completely quantified. An experimental and analytical approach is presented in this work to determine the kinetics and energetics of pyrolysis which form the foundation for larger scale models of material burning. A detailed uncertainty quantification which utilized the generalized polynomial chaos expansion method is presented to propagate uncertainty through the pyrolysis model representation of a thermal analysis experiment. Using this methodology, the uncertainty in the predictions was found to be comparable to the uncertainty in the experimental thermal analysis data within calibration conditions. Sensitivity analyses revealed the largest contributor to uncertainty in heat flow rate predictions was the specific heat capacity of all components. Comparison of the uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analyses to well-known results validated the method of uncertainty propagation for more complex scenarios.