Sakanakura, H.; Osako, M.; Kida, A.; Sakai, S. (2011) Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 13(1): 56-67
The objective of this study was to design a procedure for an environmental availability test under both acidic and alkaline conditions for solid wastes and recycled materials and products. The procedure was designed on the basis of the Dutch availability test NEN 7371. Bottom ash from a municipal solid waste incinerator and copper slag were used as test materials. The influences of the type and intensity of liquid stirring apparatus and the open area ratio of the top of the leaching vessel were investigated experimentally, and partial least-squares modeling was applied as multivariate data analysis for the simultaneous evaluation of the three leaching conditions. Interlaboratory validation was then carried out with the participation of seven laboratories in accordance with JIS Z 8402-2/ISO 5725-2. Both repeatability and reproducibility were found to be acceptable, but precise calibration of the pH electrode is required. The proposed procedure will provide sufficient accuracy as a standard test method.