A methodology for the simultaneous development of linear and nonlinear chemical reaction models from a linearly designed experimental program

A method is presented in which linear and nonlinear modeling is combined in order to develop information about reacting chemical systems. The method includes designing experimentation for nonlinear modeling within a linear experimental design, development of a nonlinear model, and regression of the parameters from the nonlinear model in a linear model. The information developed from the experimentation is stored in a combined linear/nonlinear model that can be used for a variety of purposes. The appropriate use of this method leads to highly efficient development of information. The application of this technique to chemical kinetics is shown.