Relationship between the Van Kleeck and mass-balance calculation of volatile solids loss.

An equation was developed that quantifies the relationship between volatile solids reduction (VSR) calculated by the Van Kleeck and mass-balance equations. Two sets of data were used to illustrate the significance of fixed-solids loss on the agreement between the two methods. The Van Kleeck equation assumes that fixed solids are conserved during the digestion process; however, this assumption is not needed for the mass-balance equation.