ASTM E1108-86(2017)

Standard Test Method for Determination of the Recovery of a Product in a<brk/> Materials Separation Device

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used to document the ability of a solid waste resource recovery separator to capture the component(s) of interest in the desired process stream.  
5.2 The recovery determined in this way is used in conjunction with the purity of the product, as described in Test Method E889.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the recovery of a desired product in a device processing solid waste for the purpose of concentrating a component of interest. The recovery is determined with respect to the amount of the desired component in one output stream (accepts) as opposed to another output stream (rejects). The results of this calculation determine the effectiveness of component separation when coupled with a measure of product purity as described in Test Method E889.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary information is given in Section 6.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2017
• ICS: 13.030.40 - Installations and equipment for waste disposal and treatment
• Technical Committee: D34 - Waste Management
• Drafting Committee: D34.03 - Treatment, Recovery and Reuse

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1108-86(2009) - Standard Test Method for Determination of the Recovery of a Product in a Materials Separation Device
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM E1107-10 - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Throughput of Resource-Recovery Unit Operations
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Refers: ASTM E889-82(2009) - Standard Test Method for Composition or Purity of a Solid Waste Materials Stream
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Refers: ASTM E1107-86(1996)e1 - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Throughput of Resource-Recovery Unit Operations
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996
• Refers: ASTM E889-82(1996) - Standard Test Method for Composition or Purity of a Solid Waste Materials Stream
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996
• Refers: ASTM E1107-86(2004) - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Throughput of Resource-Recovery Unit Operations
• Effective Date: 25-Apr-1986
• Refers: ASTM E889-82(2004) - Standard Test Method for Composition or Purity of a Solid Waste Materials Stream
• Effective Date: 30-Jul-1982
• Referred By: ASTM E889-82(2023) - Standard Test Method for Composition or Purity of a Solid Waste Materials Stream
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017

Overview

ASTM E1108-86(2017), Standard Test Method for Determination of the Recovery of a Product in a Materials Separation Device, is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. This test method provides a systematic approach for evaluating the capability of solid waste resource recovery devices-specifically, materials separators-to capture and concentrate components of interest from a waste stream. The results help measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the separation process and are crucial for material recovery facilities, recycling operations, and waste management entities seeking to optimize resource recovery and product quality.

Key Topics

• Product Recovery Determination: The method focuses on quantifying the proportion of a specific component recovered in the desired output (accepts) compared to the input stream and the other output streams (rejects). Product recovery is calculated either through measuring throughput or product purity.
• Steady-State Operation: Ensures the separation device is operating at consistent parameters-stable feed, composition, and operation mode-before samples are taken for reliable results.
• Sampling Procedures: Recommends thorough and representative sampling from input and output streams, following ASTM E1107 for throughput and ASTM E889 for purity assessments, to preserve component and mass integrity.
• Safety and Handling: Highlights the importance of safe handling practices, including personal protective equipment like gloves, safety glasses, and dust masks, due to the often-unknown origin of solid waste samples.
• Data Reporting: Provides guidelines for calculating and documenting recovery, with specific report formats to support traceability and decision-making.

Applications

The ASTM E1108 standard plays a critical role in a range of settings:

• Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs): Used to qualify and optimize separation equipment performance, helping maximize resource recovery from municipal solid waste or industrial waste streams.
• Waste Sorting Operations: Assists manufacturers and operators in benchmarking device effectiveness for capturing valuable or required fractions such as metals, plastics, fibers, or other recyclable materials.
• Product Purity Validation: When coupled with purity evaluation (ASTM E889), this method informs product quality assurance and regulatory compliance for materials marketed as recovered or recycled.
• Process Improvement: Provides data to support equipment calibration, process refinement, and ongoing quality management cycles in waste treatment and recycling plants.
• Research and Development: Used by equipment designers, researchers, and quality control engineers in testing new or modified separation technologies.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to product recovery and material characterization in solid waste processing, the following ASTM standards are closely related:

• ASTM E889 - Test Method for Composition or Purity of a Solid Waste Materials Stream: Complements E1108 by establishing standardized procedures for measuring the purity of separated products.
• ASTM E1107 - Test Method for Measuring the Throughput of Resource-Recovery Unit Operations: Provides standardized sampling and throughput measurement practices referenced in E1108.
• ISO and WTO-TBT Guidance: ASTM E1108 aligns with globally accepted principles for international standards development and trade facilitation as outlined by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Adopting ASTM E1108-86(2017) ensures robust, repeatable, and internationally recognized evaluation of materials separation devices, supporting operational efficiency, product quality, and compliance in modern waste management and recycling sectors.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1108 − 86 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Recovery of a Product in a
Materials Separation Device
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1108; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the recov-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ery of a desired product in a device processing solid waste for
3.1.1 accepts—the output stream from the materials separa-
the purpose of concentrating a component of interest. The
tion device that contains the highest concentration (purity) of
recovery is determined with respect to the amount of the
the component(s) that the device is designed to separate.
desired component in one output stream (accepts) as opposed
3.1.2 binary separator—a device that separates a single
to another output stream (rejects). The results of this calcula-
input feed stream into two output or product streams.
tion determine the effectiveness of component separation when
coupled with a measure of product purity as described in Test
3.1.3 component—any identifiable and defined fraction of
Method E889.
solid waste.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.4 feed—the input stream.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.5 gross sample—a sample representing one lot and
standard.
composed of a number of increments on which neither reduc-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tion nor division has been performed.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.6 laboratory sample (or analysis sample)—a portion of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
one gross sample representative of a lot and taken at random
priate safety, health and environmental practices and deter-
from the gross sample.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Specific precautionary information is given in Section 6.
3.1.7 polynary separator—a device that separates a single
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
input feed stream into three or more output product streams.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.8 purity—the purity of a stream is defined in terms of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
one or more identifiable components, x, y, z, etc. as separated
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
by hand sorting. The composition for any component such as x
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
is the mass of x in a stream divided by the total mass of that
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
stream. Purity is expressed as a fraction, decimal fraction, or
2. Referenced Documents percent.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.9 recovery—the fraction (on a percentage basis) of a
E889 Test Method for Composition or Purity of a Solid
specific component, x, in an input process stream (feed)
Waste Materials Stream
captured or recovered into an output process stream (accepts).
E1107 Test Method for Measuring the Throughput of
Recovery is calculated as a mass of x in the output stream per
Resource-Recovery Unit Operations
unit time divided by the mass of x in the input stream per the
same time, and the fraction is multiplied by 100.Alternatively,
the concentration of the component(s) of interest (defined as
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
purity in Test Method E889) are measured in all input and exit
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.03 on Treatment,
streams and used to calculate recovery.
Recovery and Reuse.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017. Published September 2017. Originally
3.1.10 rejects—the output stream(s) that have low concen-
approved in 1986. Last edition approved in 2009 as E1108 – 86 (2009). DOI:
trations of the component(s) of interest.
10.1520/E1108-86R17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
NOTE 1—In mass-per-time terms, Feed = Accepts + Rejects for any
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on conservation component if there is no storage term or loss of mass, for
the ASTM website. example, moisture.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1108 − 86 (2017)
3.1.11 steady-state operation—a condition in which the 8.2 If purity is to be measured, follow the procedures inTest
materials separator is achieving a constant recovery perfor- Method E889.
mance over a given time.
9. Conditioning
9.1 If the throughput method is to be used, follow the
4. Summary of Test Method
procedure in Test Method E1107.
4.1 Percent recovery of a component can be calculated
9.2 If the purity method is to be used, follow the procedure
either by measuring the throughput of component x (mass per
in Test Method E889.
unit time) in the input (feed) and the throughput of component
x in the output
...