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Testing
Flux Measurements
In order to measure the flux that is passing through the filter, it is necessary to have it empty for better results and have at hand the following materials for each test:
1. Place and secure the test cover on top of the filter. Use the cover’s factory clamp to seal it.
2. Connect the 12V battery to the electric fan and wait 5 minutes so that the air circulates freely inside.
3. Take a syringe and attach to the 3-way valve. Push the syringe so that it has almost no air inside and then attach it to the plastic tube coming out of the cover.
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4. Give it 4 to 5 pumps and then suck the gas inside and close the 3-way valve to keep the contents in the syringe.
5. Repeat the process immediately and then repeat at 2, 5, 10, and 15 minutes. For the 15minute test, take to samples. Clearly mark each sample. (there should be two initial samples, then one 2, 5, and 10 minute samples, and finally two 15 minute sample)
6. Take one of the extra sample for 0 and 15 minutes and using the needle, insert it into the sample bottle.
7. Take all sample to the mass spectronomy lab for analysis
The methane oxidation tests are composed of two parts. The first part tests for the total oxidation with varying length (or column height) of compost, while the second test focuses on the oxidation rate at different point (or depths) within a column of compost. The materials needed for these tests are exactly the same as for the last one. The only difference is the incorporation of plastic tubes of defined lengths to check for oxidation at different depths.
1. Cut plastic tubes (same used in the construction of the test cover) at 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, 20cm, 25cm, 30cm, 35cm, 40cm, and 45cm.
2. Insert these tubes from the top into the compost until they are fully in.
3. Take one sample from each tube using the syringes at the same time (as indicated in section above) and take to laboratory for analysis. (This should give you oxidation rates at different depths within a compost column)
4.
Place the cover on top of the filter and repeat the testing procedures in
flux measurement section. Then
vary the column size of compost and repeat.
The results from these tests can be used to determine the efficiency of the filter. By knowing that the gas coming into the filter is approximately 50% methane by volume (if exact number is desired, sampling of the incoming gas would be necessary) and comparing with the percentage of methane present in the samples, one can observe the oxidation efficiency.