Research article

Application of maximum statistical entropy in formulating a non-gaussian probability density function in flow uncertainty analysis with prior measurement knowledge

Department of Mechanical, Bioresources and Biomedical Engineering, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, South Africa

^* Corresponding author: ramnav@unisa.ac.za

Received: 24 October 2023
Accepted: 27 February 2024

Abstract

In mechanical, civil and chemical engineering systems the accuracies of flow measurement instruments is conventionally specified by certified measurement capabilities (CMCs) that are symmetric, however it is physically possible for some flow instruments and equipment to exhibit asymmetric non-Gaussian behaviour. In this paper the influence of non-Gaussian uncertainties is investigated using direct Monte Carlo simulations to construct a probability density function (PDF) using representative non-Gaussian surface roughness data for a commercial steel pipe friction factor. Actual PDF results are compared and contrasted with a symmetric Gaussian PDF, and reveal inconsistencies in the statistical distributions that cannot be neglected in high accuracy flow measurements. The non-Gaussian PDF is visualized with a kernel density estimate (KDE) scheme to infer an initial qualitative shape of the actual PDF using the approximate locations of the normalized peaks as a initial metrologist estimate of the measurement density. This is then utilized as inputs in a maximum statistical entropy functional to optimize the actual non-Gaussian PDF using a nonlinear optimization of Lagrange multipliers for a mathematically unique PDE. Novelties in the present study is that a new methodology has been developed for statistical sampling from non-monotonic non-Gaussian distributions with accompanying Python and Matlab/GNU Octave computer codes, and a new methodology for utilizing metrologist's expert prior knowledge of PDF peaks and locations for constructing an a priori estimate of the shape of unknown density have been incorporated into the maximum statistical entropy nonlinear optimization problem for a faster and more efficient approach for generating statistical information and insights in constructing high accuracy non-Gaussian PDFs of real world messy engineering measurements.