ASTM D5511-18
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions
Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Biodegradation of a plastic within a high-solids anaerobic digestion unit is an important phenomenon because it will affect the decomposition of other waste materials enclosed by the plastic and the resulting quality and appearance of the digestate after an anaerobic digestion process. Biodegradation of plastics could allow for the safe disposal of these plastics through aerobic and anaerobic solid-waste-treatment plants. This procedure has been developed to permit the determination of the rate and degree of anaerobic biodegradability of plastic products when placed in a high-solids anaerobic digester for the production of digestate from municipal solid waste.
5.2 Limitations—Because there is a wide variation in the construction and operation of anaerobic-digestion systems and because regulatory requirements for composting systems vary, this procedure is not intended to simulate the environment of any particular high-solids anaerobic-digestion system. However, it is expected to resemble the environment of a high-solids anaerobic-digestion process operated under optimum conditions. More specifically, the procedure is intended to create a standard laboratory environment that will permit a rapid and reproducible determination of the anaerobic biodegradability under high-solids digestion conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the degree and rate of anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in high-solids anaerobic conditions. The test materials are exposed to a methanogenic inoculum derived from anaerobic digesters operating only on pretreated household waste. The anaerobic decomposition takes place under high-solids (more than 30 % total solids) and static non-mixed conditions.
1.2 This test method is designed to yield a percentage of conversion of carbon in the sample to carbon in the gaseous form under conditions found in high-solids anaerobic digesters, treating municipal solid waste (1, 2, 3, 4).2 This test method may also resemble some conditions in biologically active landfills where the gas generated is recovered and biogas production is actively promoted by inoculation (for example, codeposition of anaerobic sewage sludge, anaerobic leachate recirculation), moisture control (for example, leachate recirculation), and temperature control (for example, short-term injection of oxygen, heating of recirculated leachate) (5, 6, 7).
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the microorganisms present in anaerobic digesters operating on household waste.
1.4 Claims of performance shall be limited to the numerical result obtained in the test and not be used for unqualified “biodegradable” claims. Reports shall clearly state the percentage of net gaseous carbon generation for both the test and reference samples at the completion of the test. Furthermore, results shall not be extrapolated past the actual duration of the test.
1.5 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 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 hazards are given in Section 8.
Note 1: This test method is equivalent to ISO 15985.
1.7 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.
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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: D5511 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials
1
Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5511; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the degree
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and rate of anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
high-solids anaerobic conditions. The test materials are ex-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
posed to a methanogenic inoculum derived from anaerobic
Specific hazards are given in Section 8.
digesters operating only on pretreated household waste. The
anaerobic decomposition takes place under high-solids (more NOTE 1—This test method is equivalent to ISO15985.
than 30% total solids) and static non-mixed conditions.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 This test method is designed to yield a percentage of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
conversion of carbon in the sample to carbon in the gaseous
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
formunderconditionsfoundinhigh-solidsanaerobicdigesters,
2
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
treating municipal solid waste (1, 2, 3, 4). This test method
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
may also resemble some conditions in biologically active
landfills where the gas generated is recovered and biogas
2. Referenced Documents
production is actively promoted by inoculation (for example,
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
codeposition of anaerobic sewage sludge, anaerobic leachate
D618Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
recirculation), moisture control (for example, leachate
recirculation), and temperature control (for example, short- D883Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1293Test Methods for pH of Water
term injection of oxygen, heating of recirculated leachate) (5,
6, 7). D1888MethodsOfTestforParticulateandDissolvedMatter
4
in Water (Withdrawn 1989)
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all
D2908Practice for Measuring Volatile Organic Matter in
plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the microorganisms
Water by Aqueous-Injection Gas Chromatography
present in anaerobic digesters operating on household waste.
D3590Test Methods for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Water
1.4 Claims of performance shall be limited to the numerical
D4129Test Method for Total and Organic Carbon in Water
result obtained in the test and not be used for unqualified
by High Temperature Oxidation and by Coulometric
“biodegradable”claims.Reportsshallclearlystatethepercent-
Detection
age of net gaseous carbon generation for both the test and
E260Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography
reference samples at the completion of the test. Furthermore,
E355PracticeforGasChromatographyTermsandRelation-
results shall not be extrapolated past the actual duration of the
ships
test.
2.2 APHA-AWWA-WPCF Standards:
5
2540D Total Suspended Solids Dried at 103°–105°C
1.5 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as the
5
2540E Fixed and Volatile Solids Ignited at 550°C
standard.
5
212Nitrogen Ammonia
1 3
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee of D20 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmen- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
tally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2018. Published February 2018. Originally the ASTM website.
4
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D5511–12. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D5511-18. www.astm.org.
2 5
The boldface numbers is parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 17th Edition,
the text. 1989,American Public HealthAssociation, 1740 Broadway, NewYork, NY10018.
*A Summ
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5511 − 12 D5511 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials
1
Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5511; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the degree and rate of anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in
high-solids anaerobic conditions. The test materials are exposed to a methanogenic inoculum derived from anaerobic digesters
operating only on pretreated household waste. The anaerobic decomposition takes place under high-solids (more than 30 % total
solids) and static non-mixed conditions.
1.2 This test method is designed to yield a percentage of conversion of carbon in the sample to carbon in the gaseous form under
2
conditions found in high-solids anaerobic digesters, treating municipal solid waste (1, 2, 3, 4). This test method may also resemble
some conditions in biologically active landfills where the gas generated is recovered and biogas production is actively promoted
by inoculation (for example, codeposition of anaerobic sewage sludge, anaerobic leachate recirculation), moisture control (for
example, leachate recirculation), and temperature control (for example, short-term injection of oxygen, heating of recirculated
leachate) (5, 6, 7).
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the microorganisms present
in anaerobic digesters operating on household waste.
1.4 Claims of performance shall be limited to the numerical result obtained in the test and not be used for unqualified
“biodegradable” claims. Reports shall clearly state the percentage of net gaseous carbon generation for both the test and reference
samples at the completion of the test. Furthermore, results shall not be extrapolated past the actual duration of the test.
1.5 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards are given in Section 8.
NOTE 1—This test method is equivalent to ISO 15985.
1.7 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
4
D1888 Methods Of Test for Particulate and Dissolved Matter in Water (Withdrawn 1989)
D2908 Practice for Measuring Volatile Organic Matter in Water by Aqueous-Injection Gas Chromatography
D3590 Test Methods for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Water
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee of D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.96 on Environmentally
Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products.
Current edition approved May 1, 2012Jan. 15, 2018. Published June 2012February 2018. Originally published asapproved in D5511 – 94.1994. Last previous edition
approved in 2012 as D5511 – 11.D5511 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/D5511-12.10.1520/D5511-18.
2
The boldface numbers is parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of the text.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
4
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D5511 − 18
D4129 Test Method for Total and Organic
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