ASTM E791-08(2022)

Standard Test Method for Calculating Refuse-Derived Fuel Analysis Data from As-Determined to Different Bases

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is available to producers and users of RDF to use in converting laboratory data from one basis to another.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method gives equations to enable analytical data from the application of RDF analysis procedures to be expressed on various different bases in common use. Such bases are: as-received; dry; dry, ash-free; and others.  
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.  
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: 28-Feb-2022
• ICS: 75.160.10 - Solid fuels
• Technical Committee: D34 - Waste Management
• Drafting Committee: D34.03 - Treatment, Recovery and Reuse

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D5681-23 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D5681-18 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM D5681-17 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM D5681-16a - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Refers: ASTM D5681-16 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2016
• Refers: ASTM D5681-13 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2013
• Refers: ASTM D5681-09 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Refers: ASTM D5681-08 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Refers: ASTM D5681-98a(2004)e1 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2004
• Refers: ASTM D5681-98a(2004) - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2004
• Refers: ASTM D5681-98ae1 - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1998
• Refers: ASTM D5681-98a - Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-1998

Overview

ASTM E791-08(2022), titled Standard Test Method for Calculating Refuse-Derived Fuel Analysis Data from As-Determined to Different Bases, provides a standardized approach for converting the results of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) laboratory analyses to various reporting bases. This method is essential for producers, users, and laboratories handling RDF, ensuring results are consistently and accurately expressed on commonly used bases such as as-received, dry, or dry ash-free. The standard supports clear communication and comparability across the waste management sector.

Key Topics

• RDF Analysis Bases: The standard introduces several bases for reporting analytical results, including:

  • As-received (ar)
  • As-determined (ad)
  • Dry (d)
  • Dry, ash-free (daf)
  • Others as customarily used in the industry

• Equations for Data Conversion: ASTM E791 provides specific equations for converting analytical values, such as moisture, ash, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, volatile matter, fixed carbon, chlorine, and calorific value, between these bases.

• Parameters Covered: The test method applies to the following analysis parameters, primarily expressed as weight percent:

  • Ash
  • Carbon
  • Chloride and chlorine (total and water-soluble)
  • Fixed carbon
  • Nitrogen
  • Sulfur
  • Volatile matter
  • Oxygen and hydrogen (with guidance on including or excluding those present in water)
  • Gross calorific value

• Reporting Guidance: The standard emphasizes the importance of explicitly documenting the basis on which each value is reported, especially for hydrogen and oxygen analyses that may include or exclude water content.

Applications

ASTM E791-08(2022) has practical value in the following areas:

• Waste-to-Energy Facilities: Operators and analysts use this method to convert RDF analysis data between different reporting bases, supporting decision-making for combustion, fuel quality assessment, and emissions control.
• Environmental Laboratories: Consistent conversion of test data assists in regulatory compliance, reporting, and research.
• RDF Production & Quality Control: Producers employ these calculations to standardize data shared with clients or auditors, improving transparency in the supply chain.
• Waste Management Consulting: Consultants convert analysis reports for comparative studies, feasibility assessments, and technology evaluation.

By providing standardized data conversions, ASTM E791 helps ensure all stakeholders discuss RDF characteristics in compatible terms, regardless of the analysis basis used.

Related Standards

Several other ASTM standards and international guidelines relate to refuse-derived fuel and waste management analysis, including:

• ASTM D5681 - Terminology for Waste and Waste Management: Provides definitions for terms used in waste analysis and related standards.
• Other RDF Test Methods: Laboratories may reference additional ASTM methods for preparing, sampling, and analyzing RDF.
• ISO Standards: Some ISO documents address similar topics in waste fuel analysis and reporting, supporting global harmonization.

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM E791-08(2022) ensures clarity, consistency, and compatibility in reporting refuse-derived fuel analysis results. By clearly stating the analysis basis and offering standardized conversion equations, it reduces ambiguity and facilitates reliable communication across laboratories, producers, users, and regulators. Utilizing this method supports accurate fuel quality evaluations, enhances regulatory compliance, and improves overall waste-to-energy process optimization.

Keywords: ASTM E791, refuse-derived fuel, RDF analysis, data conversion, waste-to-energy, moisture basis, ash-free basis, laboratory analysis, waste management standard, RDF reporting, ASTM standards.

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: E791 − 08 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Calculating Refuse-Derived Fuel Analysis Data from As-
Determined to Different Bases
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E791; 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
M = moisture as-received (total moisture), weight %,
ar
M = moisture as-determined (residual moisture),
1.1 This test method gives equations to enable analytical ad
weight %,
data from the application of RDF analysis procedures to be
ADL = air-dry loss, weight %,
expressed on various different bases in common use. Such
P = any analysis parameter listed in 5.1, weight %
bases are: as-received; dry; dry, ash-free; and others.
(except gross calorific value in Btu/lb),
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
H = hydroxygen, weight %,
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
O = oxygen, weight %, and
standard.
A = ash, weight %.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.2 Subscripts used in this test method are as follows:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- = as-determined,
ad
= as-received,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ar
= dry, and
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
d
= dry,ash-free(equivalenttomoistureandash-free,maf).
daf
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1 This test method is available to producers and users of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
RDF to use in converting laboratory data from one basis to
another.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Applicable Parameters
D5681 Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
5.1 The calculation procedures defined in 7.1.3, 7.2.2, and
3. Terminology 7.3.2 are applicable to the following analysis parameters when
expressed as a weight percent (except gross calorific value as
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to
Btu/lb).
Terminology D5681.
5.1.1 Ash,
3.2 Symbols:
5.1.2 Carbon,
3.2.1 The symbols used in this test method are as follows:
5.1.3 Chloride, water-soluble,
5.1.4 Chlorine, total,
M = moisture, weight %, 5.1.5 Calorific value (gross),
5.1.6 Fixed carbon,
5.1.7 Nitrogen,
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
5.1.8 Sulfur, and
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.03 on Treatment,
Recovery and Reuse. 5.1.9 Volatile matter.
Current edition approved March 1, 2022. Published March 2022. Originally
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E791 – 08 (2016).
6. Sampling
DOI: 10.1520/E0791-08R22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.1 Sampling techniques are not directly applicable to this
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
test method. However, sampling procedures are identified in
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the respective methods of analysis.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E791 − 08 (2022)
7. Methods for Calculating Data 100
O 5 ~O 2 0.881M ! 3 (8)
d ad ad
100 2 M
ad
7.1 Converting from the as-determined analysis sample
basis to the as-received basis:
7.2.2 Other Parameters—The following equation is appli-
7.1.1 Moisture:
cable to all parameters, P, listed in 5.1:
M 5 @M 3 100 2 ADL /100#1ADL (1)
~ !
ar ad
P 5 P 3100/ 100 2 M (9)
~ !
d ad ad
7.1.2 Hydrogen and Oxygen—Inasmuch as hydrogen and
7.3 Converting from the as-determined analysis sample
oxygen values may be reported on the basis of containing or
basis to the dry, ash-free basis (see Note 1):
not containing the hydrogen and oxygen in water (moisture)
7.3.1 Hydrogen and Oxygen:
associatedwiththesample,alternateconversionproceduresare
defined as follows:
H 5 ~H 2 0.1119M ! 3 (10)
daf ad ad
7.1.2.1 Hydrogen and oxygen reported include hydrogen 100 2 M 2 A
ad ad
and oxygen in water:
O 5 O 2 0.8881M 3 (11)
~ !
daf ad ad
100 2 M 2 A
100 2 M
ad ad
ar
H 5 ~H 2 0.1119M ! 3 10.119M (2)
F G
ar ad ad ar
100 2 M
ad
7.3.2 Other Parameters—The following equation is appli-
100 2 M
ar
cable to all parameters, P, listed in 5.1:
O 5 O 2 0.8881M 3 10.881M (3)
F ~ ! G
ar ad ad ar
100 2 M
ar
P 5 P 3 (
...