Illinois Administrative Code › Title 35 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Part 830 - STANDARDS FOR COMPOST FACILITIES › Subpart F - FINANCIAL ASSURANCE › Appendix B - Performance Test Methods

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a) Man-made materials
1) Take four 250 gram samples.
2) Dry samples at 70° C for 24 hours. Let
				  sample cool to room temperature (20 to 25° C).
3) Weigh each sample and pass through a four
				  millimeter screen. Inspect material remaining on the screen, and separate and
				  weigh man-made materials. Calculate percent man-made materials relative to the
				  total dry weight of the sample prior to screening.
b) Pathogens
The end product compost must be tested to
				  demonstrate compliance with one of the pathogen reduction standards set forth
				  in Section 830.503(f). Such testing must be done in accordance with Standard
				  Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater Part 9221 E or Part 9222 D,
				  incorporated by reference at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 830.103, for fecal coliform, and
				  Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewaters Part 9260 D
				  incorporated by reference at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 830.103, for Salmonella sp.
				  bacteria.
c) pH
The following protocol must be used to determine
				  the pH of the compost: North Central Regional Publication 221, Method 14; or
				  EPA Method 9045 in Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical
				  Methods (SW-846), both incorporated by reference at 35 Ill. Adm. Code
				  830.103.
d) Stability
The operator shall demonstrate that the composite
				  sample has reached stability by showing either:
1) That the compost does not reheat, upon
				  standing, to greater than 20° C above room temperature (20 to 25° C).
				  The degree of reheating must be measured using the following method:
A) Take 4 liters of composite sample and adjust
				  the moisture of the end-product compost so it falls within the range of 45 to
				  55% water on a dry weight basis;
B) Fill a 2 liter Dewar flask (100 millimeters,
				  inside diameter) loosely with sample within the acceptable moisture range and
				  gently tap to simulate natural settling. Keep at room temperature (20 to
				  25° C).
C) Insert thermometer into Dewar flask to a point
				  5 centimeters from bottom of flask. Do not push thermometer against bottom of
				  flask.
D) Record time and temperature each day for 15
				  days to determine when the highest point is reached. After each reading, shake
				  down the thermometer; or
2) That the end-product compost supports a
				  germination rate of 70% for annual ryegrass and radish using the following
				  protocol:
A) Mix 4 liters vermiculite with 4 grams of
				  air-dried soil.
B) Take 1 liter of the composite sample with a
				  moisture level within the range of 45 to 55 percent, on a dry weight basis; if
				  necessary, adjust the moisture level until within such range.
C) In three 2-liter containers, combine the
				  vermiculite-soil mix with the compost sample at the following ratios:
Blend
Vermiculite-Soil Mix
Compost
(45 to 55% moisture)
(dry weight basis)
(grams)
(grams)
A
320
960
(75% compost, w/w)
B
640
640
(50% compost, w/w)
C
1,280
0
(Control)
D) Break up lumps of compost with a spatula or
				  trowel. Moisten the blend with water.
E) Cover each container with plastic wrap and mix
				  well by inverting each container 20 times.
F) Transfer each blend into four 4-inch pots. Fill
				  the pots to the brim and firm the surface by pressing down with the bottom of
				  another 4-inch pot. Leave about 2 to 5 centimeters of space between surface of
				  the blend and the top of the pot.
G) Add approximately 50 milliliters of water
				  soluble fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20 NPK, fish emulsion) diluted to half-strength
				  to each pot.
H) Place 10 seeds of annual ryegrass and 10 radish
				  seeds onto the surface of the moistened blend. Cover the seeds with about 1
				  centimeter dry vermiculite.
I) Set the pots in a tray of warm water and let
				  them remain there until capillary action has drawn water up and moistened the
				  surface of the blend. Remove the pots from the tray when moisture from the
				  bottom-watering is observed.
J) Put pots in an environment suitable for plant
				  growth (e.g., 8 to 12 hours of light daily, 30 to 60% humidity, 20 to 25°
				  C). Check pots daily to determine if watering is needed. Blends should be kept
				  evenly moist. If necessary, cover each pot with plastic wrap until the
				  seedlings emerge. Remove plastic wrap at the first sign of emergence.
K) Seven days after planting the seeds, count
				  emergent seedlings in each pot and record visual observations of relative plant
				  conditions identified in Section 830.Table C.
L) Calculate the percent germination of plants in
				  each blend relative to the control pot, using the formula set forth in Section
				  830.Table C.