Activated carbon ASTM tests

Standard Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon, ASTM D3838-80, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 1999. 

Source references for frequentiy used test procedures for determining properties of activated carbon are shown in Table 4. A primary source is the Jinnual Book ofyimerican Societyfor Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards (61). Other usehil sources of standards and test procedures include manufacturers of activated carbon products, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) (33,34), and the Department of Defense (54). 

Portions of this test are adapted from ASTM D 4607-94(1999)— Standard Test Method for Determination of Iodine Number of Activated Carbon. The original ASTM method is available in its entirety from ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428 phone 610-832-9585 fax 610-832-9555 email service astm.org website . 

Table 21.1 summarizes the H2S breakthrough capacity results obtained on few commercial activated carbons. The results are done using the same tests (ASTM D6646-01) so the comparison is meaningful. 

ASTM Standard Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated Carbon 1989, Designation D 2854-2889. 

ASTM D1203-94(1999) Standard Test Methods for Volatile Loss From Plastics Using Activated Carbon Methods... 

ASTM D 3802, Standard Test Method for Ball-Pen Hardness of Activated Carbon. 

Table 5.3. ASTM tests of typical activated carbons from different precursors...

Hardness and attrition of particles and extrudates can be measured according to the ASTM hardness test or by measuring of the abrasion index. For activated carbons as catalyst carrier bulk and particle crushing strength tests have been developed. In Table 4 the hardness, the abrasion index and crushing strength are given. Extrudated carbons are extremely hard. 

The most important specification about activated carbon is its capacity to capture solvents . This is typically measured in a standard test (ASTM 3467-99), and denominated by the weight percent amount of carbon tetrachloride (Carbon Tetrachloride Number, CTC ) held by a charge of carbon under standard conditions. The minimum acceptable value should be at least 60% 65% is better. 

Due to the harmful effects on humans and the environment by use of carbon tetrachloride, a similar test (ASTM 5228-92) with butane is often used. The minimum acceptable value for activated carbon in the butane test is about 23 weight percent. 

J. There are separate tests for the capacity of activated carbon used in water service to hold impurities. They are known as the Iodine Number test (ASTM D4607-94) and the Molasses Number test (no ASTM test). 

Activated Carbon. According to ASTM D-2652, activated carbons are a family of carbonaceous substances manufactured by processes that develop absorptive properties. This standard defines over 100 terms relating to the use of granular and porous carbons as absorbant materials, and the ASTM Annual Book of Standards Vol 15-01 contains some 20 test methods for relevant properties. 

Activated carbon is an industrial product and, in passing, it is noted that the techniques of adsorption of such adsorbates as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, which dominate studies to characterize activated carbons, do not feature in the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) book of standards covering the characterization of activated carbon (see Chapter 8). The dominant reason for this omission is that no industry is particularly interested in the commercial adsorption of nitrogen at 77 K and of carbon dioxide at 273 K. 

The application of activated carbon in many industrial processes requires a precise knowledge of the physical and adsorptive properties. Most of the testing methods have been developed and approved by the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) (Annual... 

Ash content This test provides the total ash content although in some cases a more detailed analysis of the ash is needed. The ash content increases in direct proportion to the degree of activation and it can be used to determine the raw material used to produce an activated carbon. For instance, coconut shell carbons contain 1-3 wt% ash, whereas coal-based carbons have 6-20 wt% ash content. The determination follows the ASTM 2866-70 test. 

More detailed information on these and other commercial tests for activated carbon can be obtained from sources such as ASTM, AWWA, DIN and ISO. 

Stationary end uses include three-ring notebook binders, as well as various vinyl covers for checkbooks, pocket calendars, and so on. Performance requirements are defined for four different grades of vinyl bookbinders in a commercial standard. Class 90 bookbinder has the lowest cost composition, having no critical performance parameters defined. Class 100 requires that the bookbinder film demonstrate 80 percent pass in the Masland Impact Test (ASTM D 1790) at 0 °F (—18 °C), as well as limited volatility in the activated carbon test (ASTM D 1203). It is typically... 

For optimum low-temperature behaviour (according to the Brittleness Test (ASTM D 746-64 T) and Cold Bending Test (ASTM D 736-54T)) low acrylonitrile NBR active carbon blacks (no plasticiser) are preferred. However, where inactive fillers are used, large amounts of efficient plasticisers should be employed. 

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