Uncertainty Reporting for Experimental Thermodynamic Properties

Published

January 1, 2005

Author(s)

Qian Dong, Robert D. Chirico, Xinjian Yan, X Hong, Michael D. Frenkel

Abstract

This paper reviews practices in the expression of uncertainty in the experimental literature for thermodynamic property measurements with determinations of critical temperature for pure compounds used as a case study. The time period considered is from 1940 to the present with emphasis on results published since 1990. One-hundred and ninety four articles were considered involving hundreds of compounds. Goals of the paper are to show how nature and extent of uncertainty estimations have changed in this time period, and to document the extent to which the information provided in the articles corresponds with the recommendations of the 'GUM.' (The 'GUM' is the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement published in 1993 by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO. This document describes current recommended practices in this area.) It is shown that although gradual and continuous progress has been made in the reporting of uncertainty information, comprehensive uncertainty analyses remain rare, particularly with regard to consideration of contributions arising from sample impurities. Problems in the application of experimental property results to technological problems are discussed within the broad context of inconsistencies in uncertainty expression. Widespread acceptance and application of the standard methods and terminologies established within the GUM are encouraged for the benefit of experimentalists, data evaluators, and data users alike.

Citation

Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data

Volume

50

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

reporting practices, thermodynamic properties, uncertanties

Citation

Dong, Q. , Chirico, R. , Yan, X. , Hong, X. and Frenkel, M. (2005), Uncertainty Reporting for Experimental Thermodynamic Properties, Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data (Accessed September 28, 2025)