Systematic comparison of data-processing options for kinetic-based single-component determinations of non-catalysts: Part 1. Review, systematic classification, mathematical descriptions, performance characteristics and perspectives

This paper addresses several aspects of the applications of kinetic-based methods for single-component determinations of non-catalysts. One goal is to review many of the different approaches to these kinetic-based determinations. A second goal is to organize many of these different approaches into a systematic classification scheme. A third goal is to present mathematical descriptions that help to differentiate among the different approaches. A fourth goal is to differentiate among important features of the different approaches with emphasis on the ruggedness of the different options. In this context, ruggedness is defined as the ability of a method to resist changes in experimental variables. It is concluded that available options can be grouped into one or more of four general categories in this regard, namely those with no ability to resist changes in experimental variables, those that resist such changes via temporal optimization, those that can be used in modes that compensate for changing variables extrinsically and those that have built-in (intrinsic) variable compensation. A fifth goal is to place the many different options to kinetic-based determinations into a somewhat broader and more consistent perspective than may have been done previously. In particular, an aim is to identify similarities among measurement and data-processing options applied to transient (kinetic) aspects of chemical, physico-chemical and physical processes.