Scope:

ASTM D551-18 is used to determine the percentage of carbon in a sample converted to carbon in the gaseous form under high-solids anaerobic digesters used to treat municipal solid waste. Plastic biodegradation might enable their safe disposal in solid-waste treatment plants, both aerobic and anaerobic. This test procedure is intended to apply to any plastic substance that isn’t toxic to the microorganisms found in anaerobic digesters that process household trash.

Procedure:

In ASTM D5511-18 the test materials are inoculated with methanogenic bacteria from anaerobic digesters that solely process processed household garbage. Anaerobic decomposition occurs in high-solids (greater than 30% total solids) and static non-mixed environments. 

Specimen Size:

A pH meter, a precision balance (60.1 g), an analytical balance (60.1 mg), a thermometer, and a barometer are included. The specimen is taken as per the requirements. 

Data:

% Biodegradation: mean C8 (test) ̶̶ mean C8 (blank) / Ci × 100
Where:
C8 = gaseous carbon produced, g
Ci = carbon added in test compound, g