1、Designation: D 5231 92 (Reapproved 2003)Standard Test Method forDetermination of the Composition of UnprocessedMunicipal Solid Waste1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5231; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of
2、revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring thecomposition of unprocessed municipal sol
3、id waste (MSW) byemploying manual sorting. This test method applies to deter-mination of the mean composition of MSW based on thecollection and manual sorting of a number of samples of wasteover a selected time period covering a minimum of one week.1.2 This test method includes procedures for the co
4、llectionof a representative sorting sample of unprocessed waste,manual sorting of the waste into individual waste components,data reduction, and reporting of the results.1.3 This test method may be applied at landfill sites, wasteprocessing and conversion facilities, and transfer stations.1.4 The va
5、lues stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas the standard. The values given in parentheses are forinformation only.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro
6、-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazardstatements, see Section 6.2. Terminology2.1 Definitions:2.1.1 composite iteman object in the waste composed ofmultiple waste components or dissimilar materials, such asdisp
7、osable diapers, bi-metal beverage containers, electricalconductors composed of metallic wire encased in plasticinsulation, etc.2.1.2 solid waste composition or waste compositionthecharacterization of solid waste as represented by a breakdownof the mixture into specified waste components on the basis
8、 ofmass fraction or of weight percent.2.1.3 sorting samplea 200 to 300-lb (91 to 136-kg)portion deemed to represent the characteristics of a vehicleload of MSW.2.1.4 unprocessed municipal solid wastesolid waste in itsdiscarded form, that is, waste that has not been size reduced orotherwise processed
9、.2.1.5 waste componenta category of solid waste, com-posed of materials of similar physical properties and chemicalcomposition, which is used to define the composition of solidwaste, for example, ferrous, glass, newsprint, yard waste,aluminum, etc.3. Summary of Test Method3.1 The number of samples t
10、o be sorted is calculated basedon statistical criteria selected by the investigators.3.2 Vehicle loads of waste are designated for sampling, anda sorting sample is collected from the discharged vehicle load.3.3 The sample is sorted manually into waste components.The weight fraction of each component
11、 in the sorting sample iscalculated from the weights of the components.3.4 The mean waste composition is calculated using theresults of the composition of each of the sorting samples.4. Significance and Use4.1 Waste composition information has widespread applica-tions and can be used for activities
12、such as solid wasteplanning, designing waste management facilities, and estab-lishing a reference waste composition for use as a baselinestandard in both facility contracts and acceptance test plans.4.2 The method can be used to define and report thecomposition of MSW through the selection and manua
13、l sortingof waste samples. Where applicable, care should be taken toconsider the source and seasonal variation of waste.4.3 After performing a waste composition analysis, labora-tory analyses may be performed on representative samples ofwaste components, or mixtures of waste components, forpurposes
14、related to the planning, management, design, testing,and operation of resource recovery facilities.5. Apparatus5.1 Metal, Plastic, or Fiber Containers, sufficient for stor-ing and weighing each waste component, labeled accordingly.For components that will have a substantial moisture content(for exam
15、ple, food waste), metal or plastic containers arerecommended in order to avoid absorption of moisture by the1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on WasteDisposal and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.06 on AnalyticalMethods.Current edition approved July
16、 31, 1992. Published September 1992.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.container and thus the need for a substantial number ofweighings to maintain an accurate tare weight for the container.5.2 Mechanical or Electronic W
17、eigh Scale, with a capacityof at least 200 lb (91 kg) and precision of at least 0.1 lb (0.045kg).5.3 Heavy-Duty Tarps, Shovels, Rakes, Push Brooms, DustPans, Hand Brooms, Magnets, Sorting Table, First Aid Kit,Miscellaneous Small Tools, Traffc Cones, Traffc Vests, LeatherGloves, Hardhats, Safety Glas
18、ses, and Leather Boots.6. Hazards6.1 Review the hazards and procedures with the operatingand sorting personnel prior to conducting the field activities.6.2 Sharp objects, such as nails, razor blades, hypodermicneedles, and pieces of glass, are present in solid waste.Personnel should be instructed of
19、 this danger, and they shouldbrush waste particles aside while sorting rather than projectingtheir hands with force into the mixture. Personnel handling andsorting solid waste should wear appropriate protection, such asheavy leather gloves, dust masks, hardhats, safety glasses, andsafety boots.6.3 D
20、uring the processes of unloading waste from collectionvehicles and handling waste with heavy equipment, projectilesmay issue from the mass of waste. The projectiles can includeflying glass particles from breaking glass containers and metallids from plastic and metal containers that burst under press
21、urewhen run over by heavy equipment. The problem is particu-larly severe when the waste handling surface is of highcompressive strength, for example, concrete. Personnel shouldbe informed of this danger and wear eye and head protection ifin the vicinity of either the collection vehicle unloading poi
22、ntor heavy equipment, or both.6.4 Select a location for the discharge of designated loads,manual sorting activities, and weighing operations that is flat,level, and away from the normal waste handling and process-ing areas.6.5 Weigh storage containers each day, or more frequently,if necessary, in or
23、der to maintain an accounting of the tareweight.6.6 Loss of mass from the sorting sample can occur throughthe evaporation of water. Samples should thus be sorted assoon as possible after collection.6.7 Containers of liquids or other potentially dangerouswastes shall be put aside and handled by the c
24、rew chief.7. Calibration7.1 All weigh scale equipment shall be calibrated accordingto the manufacturers instructions. Take appropriate correctiveaction if the readings are different from those of the calibrationweights.8. Procedure8.1 Secure a flat and level area for discharge of the vehicleload. Th
25、e surface should be swept clean or covered with aclean, durable tarp prior to discharge of the load.8.2 Position the scale on a clean, flat, level surface andadjust the level of the scale if necessary. Determine theaccuracy and operation of the scale with a known (that is,reference) weight.8.3 Weigh
26、 all empty storage containers and record the tareweights.8.4 Determine the number of samples to be sorted. Thedetermination is a function of the waste components to besorted and the desired precision as applied to each component.Weights of 200 to 300 lb (91 to 136 kg) for sorting samples ofunprocess
27、ed solid waste are recommended. The number ofsamples is determined using the calculational method de-scribed in 9.1.8.5 A comprehensive list of waste components for sorting isgiven in Table 1. A description of some of the waste componentcategories is given in Table 2. Other waste components can bede
28、fined and sorted, depending on the purpose of the wastecomposition determination. The list in Table 1 is comprised ofthose components most commonly used to define and reportthe composition of solid waste. It is recommended that, at aminimum, the complement of left-justified categories in Table1 be s
29、orted. Similar breakdowns of solid waste composition aretherefore available for purposes of comparison, if desired.Label the storage containers accordingly.8.6 Vehicles for sampling shall be selected at random duringeach day of the one-week sampling period, or so as to berepresentative of the waste
30、stream as agreed upon by theaffected parties. With respect to the random selection ofvehicles, any method is acceptable that does not introduce abias into the selection. An acceptable method is the use of arandom number generator. For a weekly sampling period of kdays, the number of vehicles sampled
31、 each day shall beapproximately n/k, where n is the total number of vehicle loadsto be selected for the determination of waste composition. Aweekly period is defined as 5 to 7 days.8.7 Direct the designated vehicle containing the load ofwaste to the area secured for discharge of the load andcollecti
32、on of the sorting sample.8.8 Collect any required information from the vehicle op-erator before the vehicle leaves the discharge area. Direct thevehicle operator to discharge the load onto the clean surface inone contiguous pile, that is, to avoid gaps in the dischargedload in order to facilitate co
33、llection of the samples.8.9 Using a front-end loader with at least a 1-yd3(0.765-m3)bucket, remove the material longitudinally along one entireside of the discharged load in order to obtain a representativecross-section of the material. The mass of material shall besufficient to form a mass of mater
34、ial which, on a visual basis,is at least four times the desired weight of the sorting sampleTABLE 1 List of Waste Component CategoriesMixed paper Other organicsHigh-grade paper FerrousComputer printout CansOther office paper Other ferrousNewsprint AluminumCorrugated CansPlastic FoilPET bottles Other
35、 aluminumHDPE bottles GlassFilm ClearOther plastic BrownYard waste GreenFood waste Other inorganicsWoodD 5231 92 (2003)2(that is, approximately 1000 lb (454 kg). Mix, cone, andquarter the material, and select one quarter to be the sortingsample, using a random method of selection or a sequenceagreed
36、 by all affected parties, for the purpose of eliminating orminimizing biasing of the sample. If an oversize item (forexample, water heater) composes a large weight percent of thesorting sample, add a notation on the data sheet and weigh it,if possible. Unprocessed solid waste is a heterogeneous mix-
37、ture of materials. Care must thus be taken during application ofthe procedures for sample collection in order to obtain arepresentative sample.8.10 One sorting sample is selected from each collectionvehicle load designated for sampling. All handling and ma-nipulation of the discharged load and longi
38、tudinal and sortingsamples shall be conducted on previously cleaned surfaces. Ifnecessary, remove the sorting sample to a secured manualsorting area. The sorting sample may be placed on a clean tablefor sorting for the convenience of the sorting personnel. Thesorting area shall be a previously clean
39、ed, flat, level surface.8.11 Position the storage containers around the sortingsample. Empty all containers from the sorting sample, such ascapped jars, paper bags, and plastic bags of their contents.Segregate each waste item and place it in the appropriatestorage container.8.12 In the case of compo
40、site items found in the waste,separate the individual materials where practical, and place theindividual materials into the appropriate storage containers.Where impractical, segregate the composite items for classifi-cation by the crew chief according to the following order:8.12.1 If there are many
41、identical composite items (forexample, plastic-sheathed aluminum electrical conductor),place them into the waste component containers correspondingto the materials present in the item, and in the approximateproportions according to the estimated mass fraction of eachmaterial in the item.8.12.2 If th
42、ere are only a few of the identical compositeitem, place them in the storage container corresponding to thematerial that comprises, on a weight basis, the majority of theitem (for example, place bi-metal beverage cans in the ferrouscontainer).8.12.3 If composite items represent substantial weight pe
43、r-cents of the sorting sample, a separate category should beestablished, for example, composite roofing shingles.8.12.4 If none of the above procedures is appropriate, placethe item(s) (or proportion it (them) in the storage containerlabeled“ other non-combustible” or “other combustible,” asappropri
44、ate.8.13 Sorting continues until the maximum particle size ofthe remaining waste particles is approximately 0.5 in. (12.7mm). At this point, apportion the remaining particles into thestorage containers corresponding to the waste componentsrepresented in the remaining mixture. The apportionment shall
45、be accomplished by making a visual estimate of the massfraction of waste components represented in the remainingmixture.8.14 Record the gross weights of the storage containers andof any waste items sorted but not stored in containers. The datasheet shown in Fig. 1 can be used to record both gross an
46、d tareweights.8.15 After recording the gross weights, empty the storagecontainers and weigh them again, if appropriate. Re-weighingis important and necessary if the containers become moisture-laden, for example, from wet waste.8.16 Clean the sorting site, as well as the load dischargearea, of all wa
47、ste materials.9. Calculation9.1 Number of 200 to 300-lb (91 to 136-kg) Samples:9.1.1 The number of sorting samples (that is, vehicle loads)(n) required to achieve a desired level of measurement preci-sion is a function of the component(s) under consideration andthe confidence level. The governing eq
48、uation for n is asfollows:n 5 t* s/ex!2(1)where:t* = student t statistic corresponding to the desired level ofconfidence,s = estimated standard deviation,e = desired level of precision, andx = estimated mean.9.1.1.1 All numerical values for the symbols are in decimalnotation. For example, a precisio
49、n value (e)of20%isrepresented as 0.2.9.1.1.2 One sorting sample is chosen per vehicle load.9.1.1.3 Suggested values of s and of x for waste componentsare listed in Table 3. Values of t* are given in Table 4 for 90 and95 % levels of confidence, respectively.9.1.2 Estimate the number of samples ( n8) for the selectedconditions (that is, precision and level of confidence) andcomponents using (Eq 1). For the purposes of estimation, selectfrom Table 4 the t* value for n = for the selected level ofconfidence. Since the required number of samples will varyamong the components f
