Anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in the presence of municipal sewage sludge
ASTM D5210 – 92 test method consists of selecting plastic material for testing, obtaining sludge from an anaerobic-digester at a waste-treatment plant, exposing the plastic material to the inoculum obtained from the sewage sludge, measuring total evolved biogas (CH4 and CO2) as a function of time, soluble organic carbon (SOC), and residual polymer weight at the termination of the test, and assessing degree of biodegradability. This test method is designed to index plastic materials that are more or less biodegradable relative to a positive standard in an anaerobic environment. The test method is applicable to all plastic materials that are not inhibitory to the microorganisms present in anaerobic sewage sludge.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D20 on Plastics, this test method was withdrawn in January 2016 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.
BPC Blue allows for continuous and on-line monitoring of released biogas (CH4 and CO2) under the test condition. The instrument offers standardised measurement procedures, data interpretations and reports with modular design for easy upgrade and maintenance.
Read more about ASTM D5210 at astm.org.
