Digerui DKR-DA18 Intelligent Fully Automated Composting Biodegradation Tester
| Brand | Digerui |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Regional Classification | Domestic (China) |
| Model | DA18-1 |
| Gas Flow Rate | 0.01–1 L/min (custom ranges available) |
| Reactor Volume | ≥3 L |
Overview
The Digerui DKR-DA18 Intelligent Fully Automated Composting Biodegradation Tester is an ISO 14855-1/2 and ASTM D5338-compliant system engineered for standardized aerobic biodegradability assessment of organic materials under controlled composting conditions. It implements respirometric measurement principles—quantifying CO₂ evolution (and optionally O₂ consumption) as the primary indicator of microbial mineralization—within thermally regulated, stirred-bed reactors. The system maintains dynamic control over critical environmental parameters including temperature (58 ± 2 °C), moisture content (50–60% w/w), aeration rate, and pH stability to replicate mature industrial composting environments. Designed for regulatory-grade testing, the DKR-DA18 supports method validation, batch reproducibility studies, and long-term degradation kinetics profiling up to 180 days, delivering traceable, auditable data suitable for certification submissions (e.g., OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, DIN CERTCO, TÜV Austria).
Key Features
- Fully automated gas flow regulation with high-precision mass flow controllers (MFCs), adjustable from 0.01 to 1 L/min, enabling precise aeration control across diverse sample matrices and degradation stages.
- Eight independently controlled reactor stations, each with ≥3 L working volume, stainless-steel construction (316L), and integrated mechanical stirring to ensure homogeneous substrate mixing and consistent oxygen distribution.
- Real-time, continuous monitoring of CO₂ concentration via non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensors with 0.1% full-scale resolution and integrated temperature/pressure compensation.
- Embedded environmental control suite: PID-regulated heating jackets, humidity feedback loops with condensate management, and programmable ventilation cycles aligned with ISO 14855 requirements.
- Modular architecture supporting optional O₂ sensor integration, pH electrode ports, and headspace pressure monitoring for advanced kinetic modeling and stoichiometric validation.
- Robust industrial-grade enclosure (IP54 rated) with touchscreen HMI, local data logging (SD card + internal flash), and dual-mode communication (RS485 Modbus RTU & Ethernet TCP/IP).
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DKR-DA18 accommodates solid, semi-solid, and particulate organic substrates—including plastics, packaging films, agricultural residues, food waste simulants, and municipal compost amendments—without requiring pre-grinding beyond standard particle size specifications (<10 mm per ISO 14855). Each reactor accepts test material loaded at 10–20% (w/w) in mature compost inoculum meeting EN 13432 criteria. The system conforms to international biodegradation testing standards including ISO 14855-1 (controlled composting), ISO 14855-2 (high-solids anaerobic digestion), ASTM D5338, and OECD 301B. All firmware and data handling protocols support ALCOA+ principles; audit trails, electronic signatures, and user-access levels comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness for GLP/GMP environments.
Software & Data Management
The proprietary Digerui BioTrack™ software (v3.2+) provides real-time visualization of cumulative CO₂ evolution, degradation rate curves, and first-order kinetic fitting. Data export is natively supported in CSV, PDF report templates (with customizable headers, logos, and compliance footers), and XML formats compatible with LIMS integration. The software enforces role-based access control (administrator, operator, reviewer), automatic timestamping of all parameter changes, and immutable raw-data archiving with SHA-256 hash verification. Batch reports include metadata on ambient lab conditions, inoculum source documentation, and calibration certificate references—all structured to meet ISO/IEC 17025 documentation requirements.
Applications
- Regulatory submission testing for compostable packaging (EN 13432, AS 4736, GB/T 19277.1).
- Comparative biodegradation screening of novel bio-based polymers (PLA, PHA, starch blends) against reference materials (microcrystalline cellulose, sodium benzoate).
- Process optimization of industrial composting facilities through substrate-specific respiration activity profiling.
- Research into microbial community dynamics using headspace gas composition as a proxy for metabolic pathway shifts.
- QC/QA release testing of incoming compost feedstocks or finished compost products for biological stability (self-heating potential, respiration index).
FAQ
What standards does the DKR-DA18 validate against?
The system is configured and verified for ISO 14855-1, ISO 14855-2, ASTM D5338, and OECD 301B methodologies.
Can the reactor volume be expanded beyond 3 L?
Standard configuration uses ≥3 L reactors; custom 5 L and 10 L reactor modules are available upon request with recalibrated gas flow and thermal management.
Is remote monitoring supported?
Yes—via secure Ethernet connection using Modbus TCP or RESTful API endpoints for integration with central SCADA or laboratory informatics systems.
How is data integrity ensured during extended tests?
All measurements are time-stamped with hardware RTC, stored redundantly (local + network backup), and protected by write-once audit logs compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 requirements.
Does the system require external gas cylinders?
No—ambient air is used for aeration; optional zero-air or synthetic air supply can be integrated for controlled atmosphere studies.
