3.3. Sensitivity analysis
An assessment of the impact of individual parameters was performed
on the industrial-scaled system models to better understand
inputs that dramatically affect the energetics and
environmental impact of the system. Parameters that had a large
impact were revisited for accuracy in the scaled-system modeling
to increase certainty in results. Results were also used as feedback
to experimental systems to identify areas for improvement. Statistical
analysis was performed to identify the critical t-ratio based on
a 95% confidence interval (details presented in supplementary
information). The results of the sensitivity analysis for the largescale
microalgae to renewable diesel conversion are shown in
Fig. 7. Sensitivity results are limited to the top 5 input values
shown to have the largest impact with full results presented in
the supplementary information.