EN 15590:2011

Solid recovered fuels - Determination of the current rate of aerobic microbial activity using the real dynamic respiration index

This European Standard specifies a method to determine the current rate of aerobic microbial activity of a
solid recovered fuel. The methods indirectly estimate the potentiality of odours production, vectors attraction
etc. The current rate of biodegradation can be expressed in milligrams O2 kg dm-1 h-1.
WARNING - SRF can contain potentially pathogenic organisms. Take appropriate precautions when
handling them and those whose properties are unknown.

Feste Sekundärbrennstoffe - Bestimmung des aktuellen Grades aerober mikrobieller Aktivität mittels des realen dynamischen Respirationsindexes

Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung des aktuellen Grades aerober mikrobieller Aktivität von festen Sekundärbrennstoffen fest. Das Verfahren schätzt indirekt die Möglichkeit der Geruchsbildung, des Anziehens von Krankheitsüberträgern usw. ab. Der aktuelle Grad des biologischen Abbaus kann in Milligramm Sauerstoff je Kilogramm Trockensubstanz und Stunde (mg O2 kg1 dm h1) angegeben werden.
WARNUNG — Feste Sekundärbrennstoffe können potentiell pathogene Organismen enthalten. Bei ihrer Handhabung und der Handhabung von SRF, deren Eigenschaften unbekannt sind, sind angemessene Vorsichtsmaßnahmen zu treffen.

Combustibles solides de récupération - Détermination du taux courant d'activité microbienne aérobie au moyen de l'indice de respiration dynamique

La présente Norme européenne spécifie une méthode permettant de déterminer le taux courant d’activité microbienne aérobie d’un combustible solide de récupération. Ces méthodes donnent une estimation indirecte de la production éventuelle d’odeurs, de l’attraction de vecteurs, etc.. Le taux courant de biodégradation peut être exprimé en milligrammes de O2 kg-1 dm h-1.
AVERTISSEMENT — Les CSR contiennent des organismes potentiellement pathogènes. Prendre des précautions appropriées lors de leur manipulation et lorsque les propriétés de ceux-ci sont inconnues.

Trdna alternativna goriva - Ugotavljanje potencialne stopnje mikrobiološkega lastnega segrevanja z uporabo realnega dinamičnega respiratornega indeksa

Ta tehnična specifikacija določa metodo za ugotavljanje trenutne stopnje potencialnega mikrobiološkega lastnega segrevanja trdnega alternativnega goriva. Metode posredno ocenjujejo potencialno tveganje za mikrobiološko lastno segrevanje, tvorbo vonjav, vektorsko privlačnost itd. Trenutna hitrost biološke razgradnje se lahko izrazi v miligramih O2 kg TDS-1 h-1.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 06-Sep-2011
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Mar-2012
• ICS: 75.160.10 - Solid fuels
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 343 - Solid Recovered Fuels
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 343/WG 3 - Sampling, sample reduction and supplementary test methods
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 07-Sep-2011
• Due Date: 14-Oct-2011
• Completion Date: 07-Sep-2011
• Ref Project: SIST EN 15590:2011 - Solid recovered fuels - Determination of potential rate of microbial self heating using the real dynamic respiration index

Relations

• Replaces: CEN/TS 15590:2007 - Solid recovered fuels - Determination of potential rate of microbial self heating using the real dynamic respiration index
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2011

Overview

EN 15590:2011 - "Solid recovered fuels - Determination of the current rate of aerobic microbial activity using the real dynamic respiration index (RDRI)" is a CEN European Standard that specifies a dynamic respirometric method to quantify the current aerobic microbial activity of solid recovered fuels (SRF). The result is expressed as oxygen uptake in mg O2 kg‑1 dry matter (dm) h‑1 and provides an indicator of biological stability, potential odour generation and vector attraction. WARNING: SRF can contain potentially pathogenic organisms - apply appropriate biosafety precautions.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & purpose: Measures current biodegradation rate (biological stability) of SRF under realistic physical/chemical conditions using the RDRI method.
• Test principle: Continuous-flow, adiabatic respirometer measures O2 consumption by microbes over time; hourly respiration indices (RDRIh) are recorded and the RDRI is calculated as the average of the 24 consecutive highest RDRIh values.
• Apparatus: Hermetically sealed adiabatic reactor sized to sample particle size, forced air flow through the sample, airtightness verification, flow regulator/meter, oxygen analyser, and continuous data acquisition (hourly averages).
• Procedure essentials:
  • Sample preparation per EN 15443 (if size reduction required).
  • Instrument calibration and reactor leak checks.
  • Load sample without compacting; run test 1–4 days (extend if required to capture peak activity).
  • Maintain exhaust O2 between ~14–16 % v/v where necessary by flow adjustment.
• Calculation & reporting: Equations convert O2 concentration differences and air flow into mg O2 kg‑1 dm h‑1. Reports must include RDRI, test conditions, sample ID, storage, equipment, and any deviations.
• Storage: Samples stored ≤7 days at 4 °C before analysis.
• Interpretation: Annex B gives qualitative classes (e.g., <500 mg O2 kg‑1 dm h‑1 = very low; >3000 = very high).

Applications and users

• Quality control for SRF producers and fuel suppliers assessing biological stability.
• Waste management and material recovery operators monitoring odour and vector risks during storage/transport.
• Combustion facilities and cement kilns evaluating fuel handling risks and pre‑feed stability.
• Environmental laboratories, testing services, and researchers conducting respirometric assessments of SRF biodegradability.

Related standards

• EN 15357:2011 - terminology and definitions for SRF (normative reference).
• EN 15443 - methods for laboratory sample preparation (normative reference).
• Prepared by CEN/TC 343 (Solid recovered fuels).

Keywords: EN 15590:2011, solid recovered fuels, RDRI, real dynamic respiration index, aerobic microbial activity, respirometer, SRF stability, biodegradation, odour potential.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.RELRORãNHJDFeste Sekundärbrennstoffe - Bestimmung des potenziellen Grades der mikrobiellen Selbsterhitzung mittels des realen dynamischen RespirationsindexesCombustibles solides de récupération - Détermination du taux d'activité microbienne utilisant l'index de respiration dynamiqueSolid recovered fuels - Determination of potential rate of microbial self heating using the real dynamic respiration index75.160.10Trda gorivaSolid fuelsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15590:2011SIST EN 15590:2011en,fr,de01-november-2011SIST EN 15590:2011SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST-TS CEN/TS 15590:20071DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 15590
September 2011 ICS 75.160.10 Supersedes CEN/TS 15590:2007English Version
Solid recovered fuels - Determination of the current rate of aerobic microbial activity using the real dynamic respiration index
Combustibles solides de récupération - Détermination du taux d'activité microbienne utilisant l'indice de respiration dynamique
Feste Sekundärbrennstoffe - Bestimmung des aktuellen Grades aerober mikrobieller Aktivität mittels des realen dynamischen Respirationsindexes This European Standard was approved by CEN on 15 July 2011.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 15590:2011: ESIST EN 15590:2011

RDRI trend . 11Annex B (normative)
RDRI interpretation . 12Annex C (informative)
Results of the inter-laboratory test . 13C.1 Introduction . 13C.2 Laboratory analysis . 13C.3 Statistical analysis . 13Bibliography . 16 SIST EN 15590:2011

 results of inter-laboratory tests supplemented as an informative Annex C. According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. SIST EN 15590:2011

2 Normative references The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. EN 15357:2011, Solid recovered fuels — Terminology, definitions and descriptions EN 15443, Solid recovered fuels — Methods for the preparation of the laboratory sample 3 Terms and definitions For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 15357:2011 and the following apply. 3.1 easily biodegrable organic compounds organic substances available for decomposition by micro-organisms within a real dynamic respiration test 3.2 hourly real dynamic respiration index value of respiration index calculated every hour 3.3 lag or latency phase interval of time required for the microbial flora to acclimatize during the course of the real dynamic respirometric test 3.4 mean particle size aperture size of the sieve used for determining the particle size distribution of solid recovered fuels through which at least 50% by mass of the material passes 3.5 respiration index
rate of oxygen uptake expressed as milligram oxygen per kilogram total dry matter (dm) per hour 3.6 real dynamic respiration test
test measuring the respiration index under specific conditions including forced air flow 3.7 real dynamic respiration index RDRI average value of the respiration indexes representing 24 h showing the highest aerobic microbial activity
NOTE See Figure A.1. SIST EN 15590:2011

Real Dynamic Respiration Index RDRIh hourly Real Dynamic Respiration Index dm
dry matter in kg 5 Principle The method for determining the current rate of aerobic microbial activity specified in this European Standard is based on measuring the oxygen uptake rate by micro-organisms to biodegrade easily degradable organic matter of the sample itself under defined continuous airflow and adiabatic conditions. The test involves keeping the sample under observation in the respirometer (dynamic test system) for 1 day to 4 days according to the duration of the lag phase (if present), taking the index value at hourly intervals (RDRIh) (Clause 8). Moreover, if at the end of the fourth day, the RDRI trend is constant or growing, the respirometric test is prolonged with the acquisition of at least others 24 values (RDRI h) (see Figure A.1). 6 Apparatus The apparatus consists of: 6.1 Dessicator. 6.2 Continuous flow aerobic respirometer, composed of (see Figure 1):  hermetically sealed adiabatic reactor with the minimum operating volume expressed in litres, equal to or les
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