The correct answer regarding which nonlinear optimization algorithm should we use for a given problem is that “it depends.” In this paper, we would like to add that “it depends, but use multiple programs whenever possible.” Here we consider 23 algorithms, implemented in MATLAB, evaluating their performance both on a lumped kinetic model for vacuum gas oil hydrocracking and a few-step kinetic model for ethane pyrolysis; the former particularly raised our interest as the kinetic parameters have no reference values in such models. We can use the results of such a study to estimate model variance; moreover, the statistical analysis of the identified minimum values can also quantify the parameter uncertainty. We can also identify key operating conditions where the applied kinetic model shows the highest sensitivity to the identified parameters, opening up the possibility to further reduce the uncertainty by targeting additional experimental work or by refining the identification problem.

对于给定的问题，应使用哪种非线性优化算法的正确答案是“取决于”。在本文中，我们要补充一点，“这取决于情况，但尽可能使用多个程序。” 在这里，我们考虑了23种在MATLAB中实现的算法，它们在真空瓦斯油加氢裂化的集总动力学模型和乙烷热解的几步动力学模型中评估了它们的性能；前者特别引起了我们的兴趣，因为动力学参数在此类模型中没有参考值。我们可以使用这种研究的结果来估计模型方差；此外，对识别出的最小值的统计分析还可以量化参数不确定性。我们还可以确定关键的操作条件，其中所应用的动力学模型显示出对所确定参数的最高灵敏度，