ASTM D5929-96
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining Biodegradability of Materials Exposed to Municipal Solid Waste Composting Conditions by Compost Respirometry
Standard Test Method for Determining Biodegradability of Materials Exposed to Municipal Solid Waste Composting Conditions by Compost Respirometry
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the biodegradation properties of a material by reproducibly exposing materials to conditions typical of municipal solid waste (MSW) composting. A material is composted under controlled conditions using a synthetic compost matrix and determining the acclimation time, cumulative oxygen uptake, cumulative carbon dioxide production, and percent of theoretical biodegradation over the period of the test. This test method does not establish the suitability of the composted product for any use.
1.2 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: D 5929 – 96
Standard Test Method for
Determining Biodegradability of Materials Exposed to
Municipal Solid Waste Composting Conditions by Compost
Respirometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5929; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the biodegradation properties of 3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms applying to this test
a material by reproducibly exposing materials to conditions method appear in Terminology D 1129.
typical of municipal solid waste (MSW) composting. A mate- 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
rial is composted under controlled conditions using a synthetic 3.2.1 acclimation time, n—the time required for the oxygen
compost matrix and determining the acclimation time, cumu- uptake to reach 10 % of the total measured cumulative oxygen
lative oxygen uptake, cumulative carbon dioxide production, uptake.
and percent of theoretical biodegradation over the period of the 3.2.2 oxygen uptake, n—the cumulative oxygen consumed
test. This test method does not establish the suitability of the by the organisms during the test.
composted product for any use. 3.2.3 theoretical carbon dioxide production (ThCDP),
1.2 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to n—the maximum carbon dioxide that can be produced by a
be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in material as calculated by the carbon content of the material.
parentheses are for information only. 3.2.4 theoretical oxygen uptake (ThOU), n— the maximum
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the oxygen consumption required to fully oxidize a material based
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the on the elemental content of the material.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.2.5 virgin newsprint—nonprinted newspaper roll stock.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Summary of Test Method
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 This test method consists of the following:
2. Referenced Documents
4.1.1 The samples are prepared by cutting or forming the
2.1 ASTM Standards: material into the form it would most likely be seen in the waste
D 513 Test Methods for Total and Dissolved Carbon Diox- stream. A theoretical maximum carbon dioxide production and
ide in Water oxygen uptake are determined from an elemental analysis.
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water 4.1.2 An inoculum is obtained from a municipal MSW or
D 1293 Test Methods for pH of Water yard waste compost facility. It is procured from a static pile
D 2908 Practice for Measuring Volatile Organic Matter in that has been composting for at least two months.
Water by Aqueous-Injection Chromatography 4.1.3 The synthetic MSW is prepared from virgin newsprint,
2.2 APHA-AWWA-WEF Standard Methods: pine bark or wood chips, corn starch, corn oil, bovine casein,
2540G Total, Fixed, and Volatile Solids in Solid and Semi- and urea. A buffer/dilution water is prepared from magnesium,
solid Samples calcium, iron and a phosphate buffer.
4.1.4 The test material, synthetic compost, inoculum, and
dilution water are combined and placed in a highly insulated
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
reactor which monitors oxygen consumption and temperature
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.07 on Municipal
and captures all evolved carbon dioxide.
Solid Waste.
Current edition approved March 10, 1996. Published May 1996.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
4 5
Available from American Public Health Assoc., 1015 15th Street, NW, Tabak, Henry H. and Lewis, Ronald F., CEC/OECD Ring Test of Respiration
Washington, DC 20005, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Method for Determination of Biodegradability, U. S. Environmental Protection
Water, 18th ed., 1992. Agency, pp. 1–3.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D5929–96
4.1.5 The system is monitored, and oxygen uptake rates, 6.2.2 Flow Meter, to measure recirculation flow in each
temperature profiles, and total carbon dioxide produced are reactor (optional).
recorded. 6.2.3 Computer Control of Peristaltic Pump, for automatic
4.1.6 The total oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide produced recirculation flow control (optional).
are compared with the theoretical values obtained from the 6.3 Suitable devices for the measurement of pH, dry solids
elemental analysis, and a percent of biodegradation is gener- (105°C), elemental analysis of material, carbon dioxide content
ated. Possible negative effects of the material are evaluated by of scrubbers, weight, and volume of the final compost material.
observing the acclimation time of the synthetic MSW and
evaluating the oxygen uptake rate. 7. Test Materials
5. Significance and Use
5.1 As the crisis in solid waste continues to grow, MSW
composting is increasingly being considered as one component
in the overall solid waste management strategy. The volume
reduction achieved by composting, combined with the produc-
tion of a usable end product, is resulting in increasing numbers
of municipalities analyzing and selecting MSW composting as
an alternative to incineration or to reduce reliance on landfill
disposal. This test method will help determine the effect of
materials on the compost process and establish if the material
can be properly disposed through solid waste composting
facilities.
5.2 This test method attempts to provide a simulation of the
overall compost process while maintaining reproducibility.
Exposing the test material with several other types of materials
that are typically in MSW provides an environment which
provides the key characteristics of composting: material not in
NOTE 1—The compost respirometer features a 4-L reactor vessel (A)
a sole carbon source environment which allows co-
insulated with 8 cm of urethane foam. The atmosphere is drawn through
metabolism, compost system is self heating, and provides a
the reactor by a peristaltic pump (B) to maintain aeration. The effluent
direct measurement of organism respiration.
gases are passed through a 4-L scrubber vessel (C) containing 1.5 L of 5
M NaOH to remove any carbon dioxide from the effluent gas stream.
6. Apparatus
Samples are drawn from this scrubber solution during the evaluation to
determine the carbon dioxide released by the compost. As the microor-
6.1 Compost Respirometry Apparatus (see Fig. 1):
ganisms consume the oxygen in the system, a pressure drop occurs and is
6.1.1 A minimum of six reactors, 2 to 6-L volume, with the
detected by a highly sensitive pressure switch (D). This signals the data
test material in triplicate and the controls in triplicate. The
acquisition and control system (G) and the oxygen is replaced with pure
reactors should be surrounded with efficient insulation to
bottled oxygen by a solenoid (E) and the amount added is measured by a
minimize heat loss and be gastight. Insulation should be 8 cm
mass flowmeter (F). The gasses are then returned to the reactor. A
of urethane foam or equivalent.
thermocouple (H) is centered in the test reactor to monitor the temperature
6.1.2 Tubing, with high resistance to gas permeation.
of the compost. The system is sealed to prevent interference from
barometric fluctuations.
6.1.3 Peristaltic Pump, to control and maintain gas flow
FIG. 1 Compost Respirometer Functional Diagram
through each reactor.
6.1.4 4-L Scrubber Vessel, for each reactor fitted with a
scrubber solution sampling port.
7.1 The test materials can be in any form as long as it’s
6.1.5 Differential Pressure Switch, for each reactor that
dimensions do not exceed 3 by 3 by 12 cm. The test materials
actuates between 2 and 5 in. (51 and 127 mm) of water.
should be in the form that they would be seen in the waste
6.1.6 Solenoid and Mass Flowmeter, to control and measure
stream. A representative sample must be obtained by using
the addition of pure (99.997 + ) oxygen to system.
appropriate ASTM methods or other documented method.
6.1.7 Temperature Probe, situated in the middle of the
7.2 Analyze the test materials for carbon, hydrogen, nitro-
compost.
gen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, and any other elements that
6.1.8 Data Acquisition and Control System, for the measure-
are suspected to be present at a level to effect oxygen uptake.
ment of temperature and the control and measurement of the
The ThOU must be calculated for each material.
oxygen addition.
7.3 Calculate the ThCDP from the carbon content of the test
6.2 Miscellaneous:
material.
6.2.1 Temperature Control Room, or hood to maintain the
7.4 The nitrogen content of the synthetic MSW should be
external temperature of the apparatus at 40°C.
adjusted if the C/N ratio is greater than 40:1. This is accom-
plished by adjusting the urea content of the synthetic MSW.
The synthetic MSW has adequate nitrogen to support the
Biocycle: Journal of Waste Recycling Staff, eds., The Biocycle Guide to
Composting Municipal Wastes, JG Press, Inc., 1989. addition of up to 35 g of carbon before the ratio exceeds 40:1.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D5929–96
If the urea content is adjusted, all reactors including controls 11.2 Synthetic Municipal Solid Waste:
must contain the same concentration of urea.
11.2.1 Dilution Water— Weigh out the ingredients for 3600
mL of dilution water. This will make enough dilution water for
8. Reagents and Materials
13 reactors:
8.1 Scrubber Solution, containing 3.25 N NaOH in distilled
Compound Quantity per Reactor Per 3600 mL
water. Store in a gas-tight plastic container. Add 30 mg of
KH PO 1.87 g 24.5 g
2 4
phenolphthalein to the solution to indicate scrubber exhaustion.
Na HPO ·7H O 15.29 g 200 g
2 4 2
8.2 Dilution/Buffer Solution, containing the following:
MgSO 0.003 g 0.039 g
CaCl 2H O 0.0076 g 0.099 g
2 2
Chemical Purpose Concentration, g/L
FeCl 0.0002 g 0.003 g
Urea 4.0 g 52 g
KH PO phosphate buffer 6.8
2 4
Na HPO ·7H O phosphate buffer 55.6
2 4 2
11.2.2 Dry Ingredient Preparation:
MgSO ·7H O nutrient 0.0225
4 2
CaCl nutrient 0.0275 11.2.2.1 Weigh out 120 g of shredded virgin newsprint and
FeCl ·6H O nutrient 0.00025
3 2
place in a sealed plastic bag. Mark each bag with the actual
weight of newsprint.
8.3 Synthetic Municipal Solid Waste, containing the follow-
,
7 8
ing:
11.2.2.2 Weigh out 115 g of 2.5 by 2.5 by 0.6 cm (approxi-
mately) fresh wood chips or pine bark into a 1-L plastic beaker
Constituent Chemical Used Dry Weight, %
with 15.1 g of corn starch and 5.95 g of bovine casein. Repeat
Cellulosics shredded, virgin newsprint 41
until twelve sets of dry ingredients are prepared.
Inerts pine bark or wood chips 39
Carbohydrates corn starch 5.2
11.2.3 Inoculum Preparation:
Lipids corn oil 5.4
11.2.3.1 Obtain approximately 1 kg of mature compost from
Proteins bovine casein 2.0
a municipal MSW or yard waste compost facility.
Organic nitrogen urea 1.4
Buffer/Nutrient as listed 5.8
11.2.3.2 Screen compost with 3-mm wire mesh screen and
retain the <3-mm portion that is used as the inoculum.
8.4 Polyethylene, or another nonbiodegradable material is
11.2.3.3 Weigh out 12 g of inoculum into each of 12
the negative control material. It should be in the same form as
the test materials to provide the same physical conditions in all weighing trays.
reactors. The synthetic MSW acts as a positive control to verify
11.3 Sample Preparation:
the viability of the inoculum, see 13.4 for requirements.
11.3.1 Determine the dry solids of the test materials and
obtain the elemental analysis. Calculate the amount of test
9. Hazards
material required to provide 50 g of ThOU.
9.1 This test method requires the use of hazardous chemi-
11.3.2 Prepare the control samples by using polyethylene as
cals. Avoid contact with the chemicals and follow the manu-
the material and form or cut it into the same physical size and
facturer’s instructions and Material Safety Data Sheets.
shape as the test material.
9.2 This test method does not address all of the health and
11.4 Reactor Loading:
safety issues related to it’s use. It is the responsibility of the
11.4.1 Mix the shredded newsprint and the dry ingredients
user to establish appropriate safety measures.
and add the dilution water. Thoroughly mix until there are no
9.3 High-purity high-pressure gases can be dangerous if not
clumps of paper or chemical.
handled correctly. Follow all safety precautions and monitor
11.4.2 Add 15.8 g of corn oil by dispensing directly to the
the system often to ensure proper operation.
mixture. Mix the ingredients until the oil is evenly distributed.
11.4.3 Add control or test product and mix until products
10. Inoculum
are evenly distributed.
10.1 The inoculum should be obtained from MSW or yard
11.4.4 Add inoculum and thoroughly mix into compost.
waste that has properly composted for two to four months. The
Load into reactor, taking care not to compact the compost
compost should be screened with a <3-mm screen.
mixture.
10.2 The compost can be stored at room temperature for up
11.5 Scrubber Preparation:
to 48 h before use. It should not be allowed to dry.
11.5.1 Fill the scrubber vessels with 1.5 L of 3.25 N NaOH
11. Procedure solution.
11.5.2 Add 30 mg of phenolphthalein indicator to the
11.1 This procedure is for twelve 4-L reactors with 4-L
scrubber solution.
scrubber vessels. Other configurations will need to adjust
11.5.3 Seal the scrubber vessel to minimize atmospheric
weights and volumes to maintain proportional liquid:solid
carbon dioxide absorption.
ratios of components.
11.6 Run Startup:
11.6.1 Assemble test reactor system and allow system to
Clark, C. S., et al., “Laboratory Scale Composting: Techniques,” Journal of the
reach ambient temperature and stabilize.
Environmental Engineering Division-ASCE, October, 1977.
11.6.2 Sample the scrubber vessels and analyze for carbon
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
dioxide content by using Test Method D 513 or other suitable
Response, Characteri
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