IECM 12.0 beta User Manual > Introduction to Uncertainty Analysis >

Encoding Uncertainties as Probability Distributions

As indicated in the previous sections, there are two fundamental approaches for encoding uncertainty in terms of probability distributions. These include statistical estimation techniques and engineering judgments. A combination of both methods may be appropriate in many practical situations. For example, a statistical analysis of measured test data for a new emission control technology may be a starting point for thinking about uncertainties in a hypothetical commercial scale system. You must then consider the effect that systematic errors, variability, or uncertainties about scaling-up the process might have on interpreting test results for commercial-scale design applications.