ASTM D2866-11(2018)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon
Standard Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 In specific end uses, the amount and composition of the ash may influence the capabilities and certain desired properties of activated carbon.
4.2 Other automated methods for determination of ash content, such as combusting the carbon in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) in flowing air or oxygen, can be used in place of this test method. A suitable method is described in Test Methods D7582. For determination of the ash content of activated carbon, follow the procedure in 13.5.3 of Test Methods D7582, with the exception that the furnace temperature in 13.4.3 shall be 650 ± 25 °C. The muffle furnace method shall be considered the reference test method.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for the determination of total ash content of activated carbon.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-May-2018
- Technical Committee
- D28 - Activated Carbon
- Drafting Committee
- D28.04 - Gas Phase Evaluation Tests
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2018
- Effective Date
- 01-Apr-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Dec-2023
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2014
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-May-2013
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2011
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Jun-2010
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2009
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2009
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2008
- Effective Date
- 01-Oct-2008
- Refers
ASTM E177-06b - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods - Effective Date
- 15-Nov-2006
Overview
ASTM D2866-11(2018) - Standard Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon establishes a precision procedure for determining the total ash content in activated carbon products. Developed by ASTM International, this standard ensures process consistency and product quality by outlining a reference method for ash quantification using a muffle furnace. The tested ash content is expressed as a percentage of the original carbon sample, providing vital data for manufacturers, laboratories, and end users in selecting and evaluating activated carbon materials.
Ash content plays a critical role in defining the performance of activated carbon, influencing capabilities such as adsorption, filtration, and contamination control. Accurate ash measurements are important for numerous industrial, environmental, and commercial applications.
Key Topics
Scope and Application
This test method describes a controlled procedure for measuring total ash content in activated carbon, using SI units as the standard measurement system. The protocol applies to any form of activated carbon intended for laboratory or industrial use.Significance of Ash Content
Ash within activated carbon can impact its overall performance characteristics. Certain end uses require low-ash materials, as higher ash levels may inhibit adsorption efficiency or introduce impurities.Methodology
- Activated carbon samples are dried and weighed with high precision.
- Samples are ashed in a muffle furnace at 650 ± 25°C until a constant weight is obtained.
- The residue is cooled in a desiccator and weighed again to calculate the percentage of ash.
Alternative Methods
Automated techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in flowing air or oxygen, may be used. However, the muffle furnace method specified in ASTM D2866 is the reference standard for consistency.Precision and Bias
Repeatability and reproducibility data support confidence in the results, allowing for benchmarking and quality control among different laboratories.
Applications
The total ash content test is indispensable across several sectors, including:
- Water and Air Treatment: Selecting low-ash activated carbon for optimal adsorption in municipal, industrial, and environmental systems.
- Pharmaceutical and Food Industries: Ensuring safety and regulatory compliance when using activated carbon for purification, color removal, or contaminant adsorption.
- Manufacturing and Quality Control: Verifying product specifications and monitoring production consistency for activated carbon suppliers and processors.
- Research and Development: Generating comparable data for new carbon materials or evaluating process changes.
Knowing the ash content supports the selection of suitable activated carbon grades for specific tasks and supports compliance with regulatory or industry requirements.
Related Standards
Organizations and professionals working with activated carbon will also benefit from familiarity with these related ASTM standards and guides:
- ASTM D2867 - Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
- ASTM D7582 - Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
- ASTM E177 - Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
- ASTM E691 - Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
By adhering to ASTM D2866 and related standards, organizations can ensure reliable, reproducible, and internationally recognized measurements of activated carbon ash content, supporting quality assurance and global market acceptance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM D2866-11(2018) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 In specific end uses, the amount and composition of the ash may influence the capabilities and certain desired properties of activated carbon. 4.2 Other automated methods for determination of ash content, such as combusting the carbon in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) in flowing air or oxygen, can be used in place of this test method. A suitable method is described in Test Methods D7582. For determination of the ash content of activated carbon, follow the procedure in 13.5.3 of Test Methods D7582, with the exception that the furnace temperature in 13.4.3 shall be 650 ± 25 °C. The muffle furnace method shall be considered the reference test method. SCOPE 1.1 This test method describes a procedure for the determination of total ash content of activated carbon. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 In specific end uses, the amount and composition of the ash may influence the capabilities and certain desired properties of activated carbon. 4.2 Other automated methods for determination of ash content, such as combusting the carbon in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) in flowing air or oxygen, can be used in place of this test method. A suitable method is described in Test Methods D7582. For determination of the ash content of activated carbon, follow the procedure in 13.5.3 of Test Methods D7582, with the exception that the furnace temperature in 13.4.3 shall be 650 ± 25 °C. The muffle furnace method shall be considered the reference test method. SCOPE 1.1 This test method describes a procedure for the determination of total ash content of activated carbon. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ASTM D2866-11(2018) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 71.040.30 - Chemical reagents. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ASTM D2866-11(2018) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D2866-11, ASTM D7582-24, ASTM D7582-15(2023), ASTM E177-14, ASTM E177-13, ASTM E691-13, ASTM E691-11, ASTM E177-10, ASTM D7582-10e1, ASTM D7582-10, ASTM D2867-09, ASTM D7582-09, ASTM E691-08, ASTM E177-08, ASTM E177-06b. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ASTM D2866-11(2018) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D2866 − 11 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Test Method for
Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2866; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope peratureinadesiccatorandreweighed.Theweightoftheashed
carbon is expressed as a percentage of the weight of the
1.1 This test method describes a procedure for the determi-
original carbon sample.
nation of total ash content of activated carbon.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Significance and Use
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4.1 In specific end uses, the amount and composition of the
standard.
ash may influence the capabilities and certain desired proper-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ties of activated carbon.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2 Other automated methods for determination of ash
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
content, such as combusting the carbon in a thermogravimetric
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
analyzer (TGA) in flowing air or oxygen, can be used in place
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of this test method. A suitable method is described in Test
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Methods D7582. For determination of the ash content of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
activated carbon, follow the procedure in 13.5.3 of Test
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Methods D7582, with the exception that the furnace tempera-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
turein13.4.3shallbe650 625 °C.Themufflefurnacemethod
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
shall be considered the reference test method.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Muffle Furnace, having air circulation, capable of tem-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
perature regulation of 625 °C at 650 °C.
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
D7582 Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and
5.2 High-Temperature Crucible, high-form.
Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
5.3 Analytical Balance, having a sensitivity of 0.1 mg.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
5.4 Desiccator.
ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
5.5 Oven, forced-air circulation, capable of temperature
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
regulation between 145 and 155 °C.
3. Summary of Test Method
6. Procedure
3.1 An accurately weighed sample of dried activated carbon
6.1 Ignite the crucible in the muffle furnace at 650 6 25 °C
is placed in a controlled-temperature muffle furnace for a
for 1 h. Place the crucible in the desiccator. Cool to room
period of several hours. When constant weight has been
temperature and weigh to the nearest 0.1 mg.
achieved (60.5 mg), the crucible is cooled to ambient tem-
6.2 Dry an adequate sample of activated carbon to constant
weight (60.5 mg) at 150 6 5 °C (3 h is usually sufficient).
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on
NOTE 1—Some carbons can ignite spontaneously at 150 °C. In this
Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas
case, moist carbon should be used with a correction for moisture (in
Phase Evaluation Tests.
accordance with Test Methods D2867) applied in the calculations. In this
Current edition approved June 1, 2018. Published June 2018. Originally
case, the a
...
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