C O M M UN I C A T l ON
Wet Combustion Procedure for Determination of Carbon Content in Municipal Refuse Marvin E. Stephenson,' Benedicto E. Cabrera, and Frank M. D'Itri Institute of Water Research, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich. 48823
Modifications to wet combustion procedures permit the determination of the carbon content in municipal refuse samples containing up to 1.0 g of oxidizable carbon. Larger amounts may be measured by increasing the size of the absorption tubes used to collect the evolved carbon dioxide. Various combinations of reagents and catalysts have been investigated to attain the most complete oxidation within a reasonable time. A modified chromic acid combustion fluid is employed as the oxidizing medium. A carrier gas is employed to carry the evolved gases through a series of liquid- and solidphase absorption elements. Hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulfide, and water vapor are removed sequentially before absorption of the evolved carbon dioxide onto ascarite-magnesium perchlorate in a Schwartz-type tube. The experimental assembly contains a trap for sublimed and partially oxidized material and a method for recycling it through the combustion process. Each determination is completed in
