Final Report - Ohio Department of Transportation

3.2 Sample Preparation
In preparation for testing, samples were separated into their components (i.e.
leaves/needles, branches and/or stems, and fruit). They were reduced to a manageable size with
either garden clippers or by hand. Such separation was not needed with single component
samples such as acorns or pine cones. Once prepared, samples were split into two aliquots. One
of these was used to measure moisture content. The other was subjected to carbonization to
measure organics content and for collection of bituminous off-products. Preparation of yard
waste samples for both the drying and carbonization processes were identical, but drying
experiments made use of smaller sample sizes. Prepared samples for carbonization are shown in
Fig. 12 and 13.
Fig. 12 - Rhododendron Leaves Prepared for Carbonization
Fig. 13 - Oak Branches Prepared for Carbonization
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