ASTM D2862-16(2022)

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: D2862 − 16 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Particle Size Distribution of Granular Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2862; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope D2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated
Carbon
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
size distribution of granular activated carbon. For the purposes
Sieves
of this test, granular activated carbon is defined as a minimum
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
of 90 % of the sample weight being retained on a 180 µm
ASTM Test Methods
Standard sieve.AU.S. mesh 80 sieve is equivalent to a 180 µm
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
Standard sieve.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
NOTE 1—For extruded carbons, as the length/diameter ratio of the
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
particles increases, the validity of the test results might be affected.
1.2 The data obtained may also be used to calculate mean
3. Summary of Test Method
particle diameter (MPD), effective size, and uniformity coef-
3.1 A known weight of granular activated carbon is placed
ficient.
on the top sieve of a stacked set of U.S. Standard sieves and
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
shaken under standard conditions for a specific time period,
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
after which the weight percent of the total retained on each
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
sieve and bottom pan is determined.
and are not considered standard.
4. Significance and Use
1.3.1 Exception—All mass measurements are in SI units
only.
4.1 It is necessary to know the distribution of particle sizes
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of granular activated carbon in order to provide proper contact
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the of gases or liquid in a packed bed of the material. Changes in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
particle size distribution can affect the pressure drop across the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
bed and the rate of adsorption in a bed of a given size.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 Mean particle diameter is a property of activated car-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
bons that influences pressure drop.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.3 Effective size and uniformity coefficient are two prop-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
erties of activated carbons often of interest in municipal water
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
treatment applications where control of particle size is of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
interest.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents 5. Apparatus
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 Mechanical Sieve Shaker —This is a mechanically op-
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
erated sieve shaker that imparts a uniform rotating and tapping
motion to a stack of 8 in. (203 mm or equivalent) sieves as
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on
described in 5.2. The sieve shaker should be adjusted to
Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas
accommodate the desired number of sieves, receiver pan, and
Phase Evaluation Tests.
sieve cover. The bottom stops should be adjusted to give a
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D2862 – 16. DOI:
10.1520/D2862-16R22.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or TheTyler Ro-Tap Model RX-19-1 has been used in developing this test. Newer
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM models may not produce the same separations (Model RX-19-2 is equivalent to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Model RX-19-1). This model is available from Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA
the ASTM website. 15238.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2862 − 16 (2022)
FIG. 1 Cumulative Particle Size Distribution Curve
clearance of approximately ⁄16 in. (1.5 mm) between the upper retain the capability to cross check the results of particle size
carrying plate stops and the sieve cover plate, so that the sieves distribution analysis between the mechanical device described
will be free to rotate. The sieve shaker shall be powered with above and any newer sieving system.
⁄4 hp (186 W) electric motor producing 1725 r⁄min to 1750
6. Sampling
r/min. The sieve shaker should produce 140 raps per minute to
160 raps per minute with the striker arm and 280 rotating
6.1 Collect and prepare the granular activated carbon
motions per minute to 320 rotating motions per minute of the
samples in accordance with Practice E300.
sieve stack. The cover plate shall be fitted with a cork stopper
1 1
that shall extend ⁄4 in. 6 ⁄8 in. (6.35 mm 6 3.18 mm) above
7. Procedure
the metal recess.At no time shall any material other than cork
7.1 Stackthesievestobeusedonthebottomreceiverpanin
be permitted.
order of increasing sieve opening from bottom to top.
5.2 Sieves—U.S. Standard sieves or equivalent conforming
7.2 Prepare a sample of activated carbon as follows:
to Specification E11. The sieves shall be either 2 in. (51 mm)
7.2.1 Mix the gross sample, obtained by Practice E300,by
(full height) or 1 in. (25 mm.) (half height) in height, and 8 in.
passing it through a single-stage riffle type sample splitter and
(203 mm or equivalent) in diameter.
recombining twice. Then pass the mixed sample through the
5.3 Bottom Receiver Pan and Top Sieve Cover.
riffle so as to obtain an approximate 250 mL of sample.
7.2.2 Using the apparent density apparatus described inTest
5.4 Interval Timer, adjustable, with an accuracy of 610 s.
Method D2854, obtain a test sample of 200 mL from each
5.5 Sample Splitter, single-stage riffle type.
sample. If the apparent density is less than 0.35 g/cc, a 50 g
5.6 Balance, with a sensitivity of 0.1 g.
sample will be adequate, greater than 0.35 g/cc, use a sample
not to exceed 100 g. In all cases, volume of the sample should
5.7 Soft Brass Wire Brush.
not exceed 200 mL.
5.8 Cylinder, glass, graduated, 250 mL capacity.
NOTE 2—If the apparent density of the sample has been determined, a
5.9 EquivalentApparatus—Newer technology may produce
calculated weight of sample equivalent to 200 mL 6 10 mL may be used
devices that can perform an equivalent function to the me-
for each of the riffled samples.
chanical sieve shaker described in 5.1, for which this method
7.2.3 Weigh each sample to the nearest 0.1 g.
was originally developed (Tyler model RX-19–1 or –2). In the
7.3 . Transfer the weighed sample to the top sieve.
case of newer devices being used, the tester should validate the
equivalency of the newer device to that of theASTM standard
7.4 Install the sieve cover and transfer the assembly to the
tester (or its successors, for example, Tyler model RX-29) and
sieve shaker.
7.5 Allow the sieve assembly to shake for 10 min 6 10 s
W. S. Tyler Model 1778-S.B. or equivalent has been found satisfactory. with the hammer operating.
D2862 − 16 (2022)
TABLE 1 Factors for Calculating the Effective Mean Particle TABLE 2 Example of Effective MPD Calculation Using8×30
AB
Diameter Mesh Material
U.S.S. Percent Mean Opening Weighted
U.S.S. Mean Opening, U.S.S. Mean Opening,
Sieve No. Retained (mm) Average
Sieve No. (N) mm Sieve No. (N) mm
+8 8.0 2.87 23.0
+4 5.74 20 × 30 0.72
8 × 12 31.4 2.03 63.7
4×6 4.06 25×30 0.65
12 × 16 27.2 1.44 39.2
4×8 3.57 30×35 0.55
16 × 20 21.5 1.02 21.9
6×8 2.87 30×40 0.51
20 × 30 9.1 0.72 6.6
8×10 2.19 35×40 0.46
2.8 0.51 1.4
8×12 2.03 40×45 0.39
100.0 155.8
10×12 1.84 40×50 0.36
12×14 1.55 45×50 0.33 A
12×16 1.44 50×60 0.27
155.8
14×16 1.30 50×70 0.25
Effective MPD smmd5 5 1.558
16×18 1.10 60×70 0.23 100
16×20 1.02 70×80 0.19
B
The mean particle size of each sieve fraction is assumed to be the average of the
18 × 20 0.92 70 × 100 0.18
sieve opening in millimetres through which the material has passed and the sieve
20 × 25 0.78 80 × 100 0.16
opening in millimetres on which the material was retained. In the case of particles
larger than those measured, the mean particle size of this fraction is assumed to
be the average of the opening of the sieve actually used and that of the next larger
sieve in the =2 series. In the case of particles smaller than the opening of the
smallest sieve, the mean particle size of this fraction is assumed to be the average
7.6 Remove the sieve assembly from the sieve shaker and
of the opening of the smallest sieve and that of the next smaller sieve in the =2
series. See Table 1 for lists of the mean opening in millimetres for various sieve
quantitatively transfer, using the sieve brush, the activated
fractions.
carbon retained on the top sieve to a tared weighing pan and
weigh to the nearest 0.1 g. Repeat this procedure for material
retained on each sieve and the bottom receiver pan.
8.4 If effective size and uniformity coefficient are of
7.7 Repeat the analysis if desired. Use the repeatability
interest, they may be calculated as shown in Table 3
...