ASTM E953/E953M-08

The standard is available to producers and users of RDF to use in determining the fusibility of ash produced from RDF.

Limitations of Ash Fusibility Data—Ash fusibility data are too often over-interpreted. In practice, types of burning equipment, rate of burning, temperature and thickness of fire bed or ball, distribution of ash forming mineral matter in the RDF, and viscosity of the molten ash may influence ash behavior more than the ash fusibility characteristics determined by the laboratory test. Furthermore, conditions existing during applied combustion of RDF are so complex that they are impossible to duplicate completely in a small-scale laboratory test. Therefore, the test should be considered an empirical one and the data, at best, only qualitative.

1.1 This test method covers the observation of the temperatures at which triangular pyramids (cones) prepared from RDF ash attain and pass through certain stages of fusing and flow when heated at a specific rate in controlled, mildly-reducing, and oxidizing atmospheres.

1.2 The test method is empirical, and strict observance of the requirements and conditions is necessary to obtain reproducible temperatures and enable different laboratories to obtain concordant results.

1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 6 for additional hazard information.