ASTM D2867-17 Standard Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon

The standard “ASTM D2867-17 Standard test methods for moisture in activated carbon” developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) describes two procedures for determining the moisture content of activated carbon. These procedures can also be used to dry samples required for other tests.

The oven drying method is used in cases where the only volatile material present is water and in significant quantities and where the activated carbon is not heat sensitive (some activated carbons may spontaneously ignite at temperatures as low as 150 degrees).

The xylene extraction method is used when a carbon is known or suspected to be heat sensitive or contains water-immiscible organic compounds instead of or in addition to water.

The oven-drying method described in these test methods can be used as a reference in the development of instrumental techniques for moisture determination in activated carbon.

The moisture content of activated carbon is often required to describe and express the properties of the carbon relative to its net weight.

To determine the feasibility of disposal of spent activated carbon as cleanup level waste, characterization of radioactive contamination is performed for spent activated carbon by radioisotope analysis. The results show that approximately half of the spent activated carbon samples have C-14 concentrations exceeding the cleanup level limit. In this case, heat treatment technology is selected to remove C-14 and its moisture content and thermal properties are analyzed. In general, the moisture content analysis results show that the moisture content of spent activated carbon is in the range of 1,2-23,9 wt. percent, depending on the operating and storage conditions.

Activated carbon filters are useless in high humidity conditions and tend to adsorb water molecules first. Wet activated carbon consumes oxygen from the air and therefore dangerously low oxygen levels may be encountered in confined spaces. Procedures for working in potentially low oxygen areas should be followed.

Moisture content is the amount of water bound to activated carbon under normal conditions. Generally, the moisture content of activated carbon is in the range of 0-13,06 percent.

Activated carbon is a low-cost material with distinguishable properties such as high specific surface area, high porosity, and desired surface functionalization. Therefore, activated carbon is used in various ways for effective applications in areas such as adsorption, pollutant removal, water treatment, and energy. Activated carbon is more environmentally friendly and less toxic to the environment. Activated carbon functionalization has increased its efficiency in biodiesel production. Commercialization of activated carbon is important for industrial applicability.

Activated carbon consists of a wide variety of carbonized materials characterized by high porosity and large surface area. Due to its superior properties, activated carbon is used in a variety of applications including purification of drinking water, wastewater treatment, and separation of gases and pollutants. One of the most important and primary uses of activated carbon is the production of biofuels, especially biodiesel. Activated carbon is produced from a variety of agricultural and industrial wastes. Carbon is activated using physical and chemical techniques. However, chemical activation is more economical because activation occurs at low temperatures and in a relatively short time to give activated carbon its high porosity and large surface area.

The process of chemical adsorption is often compared to the absorption of water by a sponge. Water is completely integrated into the sponge, not limited by its surface area. Adsorption, by contrast, is a process in which molecules adhere only to the surface area. As mentioned above, activated carbon is a porous material, so it has a large surface area. Unwanted matter adheres to the surface area of ​​the carbon particles.

Among the numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies that our organization has carried out for businesses in various sectors, it also provides testing services defined in the "ASTM D2867-17 Standard test methods for moisture in activated carbon" standard with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.