Soft calculation in chemical kinetics

Soft calculations are proposed as a tool to handle uncertainties in chemical kinetics. The main aim of this approach is to keep a reasonable balance between rigorous modeling and real design needs. The principal constituents of soft computing are fuzzy set theory, neural network theory, and probabilistic reasoning. Calculations presented are based on the vertex method. The vertex algorithm is described and applied to an example catalytic reactor. The proposed method is simpler than the extension principle approach, enables a fast and precise evaluation of process sensitivity, and has no limits on the number of fuzzy variables or their form. 12 refs., 1 fig.