ASTM E897-88(2004)

Standard Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample of Refuse-Derived Fuel (Withdrawn 2004)

ABSTRACT
This test method establishes the standard procedure for determining the percentage of volatile matter or gaseous products, exclusive of moisture vapor, in the analysis sample released by refuse-derived fuel (RDF) under specific test conditions for predicting burning characteristics. This may apply to any waste material from which a laboratory analysis sample can be prepared. This procedure requires the use of a platinum or fused quartz crucible with closely fitting cover, and a vertical electric tube furnace. Volatile matter is determined by establishing the loss in weight resulting from heating RDF under rigidly-controlled conditions. The measured weight loss, corrected for moisture, establishes the volatile matter content.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the percentage of gaseous products, exclusive of moisture vapor, in the analysis sample which is released under specific conditions of the test. The knowledge of the volatile matter content assists in predicting burning characteristics of RDF.
1.2 This test method may be applicable to any waste material from which a laboratory analysis sample can be prepared.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This test method covers the determination of the percentage of gaseous products, exclusive of moisture vapor, in the analysis sample which is released under specific conditions of the test. The knowledge of the volatile matter content assists in predicting burning characteristics of RDF.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D34 on Waste Management, this standard was withdrawn with no replacement in July 2011 because of limited use by industry in light of analogous standards for coal.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 24-Mar-1988
• Withdrawal Date: 31-Mar-2004
• ICS: 75.160.10 - Solid fuels
• Technical Committee: D34 - Waste Management
• Drafting Committee: D34.03 - Treatment, Recovery and Reuse

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E897-88(1998) - Standard Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample of Refuse-Derived Fuel
• Effective Date: 25-Mar-1988
• Referred By: ASTM D5681-22e1 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 25-Mar-1988
• Referred By: ASTM E1868-10(2021) - Standard Test Methods for Loss-On-Drying by Thermogravimetry
• Effective Date: 25-Mar-1988

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E897–88(Reapproved 2004)
Standard Test Method for
Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample of Refuse-Derived
1
Fuel
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E897; 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 RDF–1—Waste used as a fuel in as-discarded form.
RDF–2—Waste processed to coarse particle size with or
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the per-
without ferrous metal separation.
centage of gaseous products, exclusive of moisture vapor, in
RDF–3—shredded fuel derived from municipal solid waste
the analysis sample which is released under specific conditions
(MSW) that has been processed to remove metal, glass, and
of the test.The knowledge of the volatile matter content assists
other inorganics. This material has a particle size such that 95
in predicting burning characteristics of RDF.
weight % passes through a 2-in. square mesh screen.
1.2 This test method may be applicable to any waste
RDF–4—Combustible waste processed into powder
material from which a laboratory analysis sample can be
form—95 weight % passing a 10–mesh screen.
prepared.
RDF–5—Combustiblewastedensified(compressed)intothe
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
form of pellets, slugs, cubettes or briquettes.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
RDF–6—Combustible waste processed into liquid fuel.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
RDF–7—Combustible waste processed into gaseous fuel.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Method
2. Referenced Documents 4.1 Volatile matter is determined by establishing the loss in
2
weight resulting from heating refuse-derived fuel under
2.1 ASTM Standards:
rigidly-controlled conditions. The measured weight loss, cor-
E180 Practice for Determining the Precision of ASTM
rected for moisture as determined in Test Method E790,
Methods for Analysis and Testing of Industrial and Spe-
3
establishes the volatile matter content.
cialty Chemicals
E790 Test Method for Residual Moisture in a Refuse-
5. Apparatus
Derived Fuel Analysis Sample
5.1 Platinum or Fused Quartz Crucible, with closely fitting
E829 Practice for Preparing Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)
3 cover. The crucible shall be of not less than 10 nor more than
Laboratory Samples for Analysis
20 mL capacity, not less than 25 nor more than 35 mm in
3. Terminology diameter, and not less than 30 nor more than 35 mm in height.
5.2 Vertical Electric Tube Furnace— It shall be regulated to
3.1 Definition:
maintain a temperature of 950 6 20°C in the crucible, as
3.2 refuse-derived fuel (RDF):
measured by a thermocouple positioned in the furnace.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
6. Hazards
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.03 onTreatment,
6.1 Due to the origins of RDF in municipal waste, common
Recovery and Reuse.
Current edition approved April 1, 2004. Published May 2004. Originally
sense dictates that precautions should be observed when
publishedasE897 – 82.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin1998asE897 – 88(1998).
conducting tests on the samples. Recommended hygienic
DOI: 10.1520/E0897-88R04.
2 practices include use of gloves when handling RDF, wearing
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
dust masks (NIOSH-approved type), especially while milling
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
RDF samples, conducting tests under a negative-pressure hood
the ASTM website.
when possible, and washing hands before eating or smoking.
3
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
(Warning—Exercise care when placing the sample into the
on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E897–88 (2004)
volatile furnace. The possibility of an explosion always exists 8. Calculation
when heating samples of unknown origin.)
8.1 Calculate the percentage of volatile matter on an“ as–
determined” basis, V as follows:
ad
7. Procedure
A 2 B
V 5 3 100 2 M (1)
F G
ad ad
7.1 Weigh to the nearest 0.1 mg about1gof thoroughly
A
mixed air-dried analysis RDF sample in a weighed crucible.
where:
Close with a cover (Note 1), place on a platinum or Nichrome-
A = weight of sample used, g,
wire support and insert
...