Nonlinear parameter estimation and model distinguishability of physicochemical models at chemical equilibrium

The problem of estimating parameters and distinguishing between rival mathematical models describing complex chemical equilibrium systems is formulated from first principles. Using basic statistical and optimization theory, a methodology is developed for handling these systems. To illustrate its usefulness, the technique is applied to the conductivity study of solutions of alkali metal alkoxides in dimethyl sulfoxide. The method is relatively involved and its use is warranted only in complex physical systems which do not lend themselves to simplification by standard procedures.