ASTM D5929-96(2009)
(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
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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 production 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.
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 a sole carbon source environment which allows co-metabolism, compost system is self heating, and provides a direct measurement of organism respiration.
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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D5929 − 96 (Reapproved 2009)
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 D5929; 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 2.2 APHA-AWWA-WEF Standard Methods:
2540G Total, Fixed, and Volatile Solids in Solid and Semi-
1.1 This test method covers the biodegradation properties of
solid Samples
a material by reproducibly exposing materials to conditions
typical of municipal solid waste (MSW) composting. A mate-
3. Terminology
rial is composted under controlled conditions using a synthetic
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms applying to this test
compost matrix and determining the acclimation time, cumu-
method appear in Terminology D1129.
lative oxygen uptake, cumulative carbon dioxide production,
and percent of theoretical biodegradation over the period of the 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
test. This test method does not establish the suitability of the 3.2.1 acclimation time, n—the time required for the oxygen
composted product for any use. uptake to reach 10 % of the total measured cumulative oxygen
uptake.
1.2 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to
3.2.2 oxygen uptake, n—the cumulative oxygen consumed
be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in
by the organisms during the test.
parentheses are for information only.
3.2.3 theoretical carbon dioxide production (ThCDP),
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
n—the maximum carbon dioxide that can be produced by a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
material as calculated by the carbon content of the material.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.4 theoretical oxygen uptake (ThOU), n— the maximum
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
oxygen consumption required to fully oxidize a material based
on the elemental content of the material.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.5 virgin newsprint—nonprinted newspaper roll stock.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D513 Test Methods for Total and Dissolved Carbon Dioxide 4. Summary of Test Method
in Water
4.1 This test method consists of the following:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
4.1.1 The samples are prepared by cutting or forming the
D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
material into the form it would most likely be seen in the waste
D2908 Practice for Measuring Volatile Organic Matter in
stream.Atheoretical maximum carbon dioxide production and
Water by Aqueous-Injection Gas Chromatography
oxygen uptake are determined from an elemental analysis.
4.1.2 An inoculum is obtained from a municipal MSW or
yard waste compost facility. It is procured from a static pile
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.03 on Treatment,
that has been composting for at least two months.
Recovery and Reuse.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2009. Published November 2009. Originally
approvedin1996.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2004asD5929-96(2004).DOI: Available from American Public Health Assoc., 1015 15th Street, NW,
10.1520/D5929-96R09. Washington, DC 20005, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Water, 18th ed., 1992.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Tabak, Henry H. and Lewis, Ronald F., CEC/OECD Ring Test of Respiration
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Method for Determination of Biodegradability, U. S. Environmental Protection
the ASTM website. Agency, pp. 1–3.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5929 − 96 (2009)
4.1.3 ThesyntheticMSWispreparedfromvirginnewsprint, 6.1.7 Temperature Probe, situated in the middle of the
pine bark or wood chips, corn starch, corn oil, bovine casein, compost.
and urea.Abuffer/dilution water is prepared from magnesium, 6.1.8 DataAcquisitionandControlSystem,forthemeasure-
calcium, iron and a phosphate buffer. ment of temperature and the control and measurement of the
4.1.4 The test material, synthetic compost, inoculum, and oxygen addition.
dilution water are combined and placed in a highly insulated
6.2 Miscellaneous:
reactor which monitors oxygen consumption and temperature
6.2.1 Temperature Control Room, or hood to maintain the
and captures all evolved carbon dioxide.
external temperature of the apparatus at 40°C.
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),elementalanalysisofmaterial,carbondioxidecontent
ated. Possible negative effects of the material are evaluated by
ofscrubbers,weight,andvolumeofthefinalcompostmaterial.
observing the acclimation time of the synthetic MSW and
evaluating the oxygen uptake rate.
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
NOTE 1—The compost respirometer features a 4-L reactor vessel (A)
that are typically in MSW provides an environment which
insulated with 8 cm of urethane foam. The atmosphere is drawn through
provides the key characteristics of composting: material not in
the reactor by a peristaltic pump (B) to maintain aeration. The effluent
a sole carbon source environment which allows co- 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.
metabolism, compost system is self heating, and provides a
Samples are drawn from this scrubber solution during the evaluation to
direct measurement of organism respiration.
determine the carbon dioxide released by the compost. As the microor-
ganisms consume the oxygen in the system, a pressure drop occurs and is
6. Apparatus
detected by a highly sensitive pressure switch (D). This signals the data
acquisition and control system (G) and the oxygen is replaced with pure
6.1 Compost Respirometry Apparatus (see Fig. 1):
bottled oxygen by a solenoid (E) and the amount added is measured by a
6.1.1 Aminimum of six reactors, 2 to 6-L volume, with the
mass flowmeter (F). The gasses are then returned to the reactor. A
test material in triplicate and the controls in triplicate. The
thermocouple(H)iscenteredinthetestreactortomonitorthetemperature
reactors should be surrounded with efficient insulation to
of the compost. The system is sealed to prevent interference from
minimize heat loss and be gastight. Insulation should be 8 cm
barometric fluctuations.
FIG. 1 Compost Respirometer Functional Diagram
of urethane foam or equivalent.
6.1.2 Tubing, with high resistance to gas permeation.
6.1.3 Peristaltic Pump, to control and maintain gas flow
7. Test Materials
through each reactor.
7.1 The test materials can be in any form as long as it’s
6.1.4 4-L Scrubber Vessel, for each reactor fitted with a
scrubber solution sampling port. dimensions do not exceed 3 by 3 by 12 cm. The test materials
should be in the form that they would be seen in the waste
6.1.5 Differential Pressure Switch, for each reactor that
actuates between 2 and 5 in. (51 and 127 mm) of water. stream. A representative sample must be obtained by using
appropriate ASTM methods or other documented method.
6.1.6 Solenoid and Mass Flowmeter, to control and measure
the addition of pure (99.997 + ) oxygen to system.
7.2 Analyze the test materials for carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, and any other elements
that are suspected to be present at a level to effect oxygen
Biocycle: Journal of Waste Recycling Staff, eds., The Biocycle Guide to
Composting Municipal Wastes, JG Press, Inc., 1989. uptake. The ThOU must be calculated for each material.
D5929 − 96 (2009)
7.3 Calculate theThCDPfrom the carbon content of the test 10.2 The compost can be stored at room temperature for up
material. to 48 h before use. It should not be allowed to dry.
7.4 The nitrogen content of the synthetic MSW should be
11. Procedure
adjusted if the C/N ratio is greater than 40:1. This is accom-
plished by adjusting the urea content of the synthetic MSW.
11.1 This procedure is for twelve 4-L reactors with 4-L
The synthetic MSW has adequate nitrogen to support the scrubber vessels. Other configurations will need to adjust
addition of up to 35 g of carbon before the ratio exceeds 40:1.
weights and volumes to maintain proportional liquid:solid
If the urea content is adjusted, all reactors including controls ratios of components.
must contain the same concentration of urea.
11.2 Synthetic Municipal Solid Waste:
11.2.1 Dilution Water— Weigh out the ingredients for 3600
8. Reagents and Materials
mLof dilution water. This will make enough dilution water for
8.1 Scrubber Solution, containing 3.25 N NaOH in distilled
13 reactors:
water. Store in a gas-tight plastic container. Add 30 mg of
Compound Quantity per Reactor Per 3600 mL
phenolphthaleintothesolutiontoindicatescrubberexhaustion.
KH PO 1.87 g 24.5 g
2 4
8.2 Dilution/Buffer Solution, containing the following:
Na HPO ·7H O 15.29 g 200 g
2 4 2
MgSO 0.003 g 0.039 g
Chemical
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