ASTM D5158-98

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Designation:D 5158–98
Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Particle Size of Powdered Activated
Carbon by Air Jet Sieving
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5158; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle 4.1 A weighed sample of as-received powdered activated
size of powdered activated carbons using an air-jet sieve carbon is placed in a test sieve that is inserted in the sieve
device. For purposes of this test method, powdered activated holder of the air-jet sieve assembly. Air is passed through the
carbon is defined as activated carbon in particle sizes predomi- sieve from a slowly-rotating nozzle to fluidize the sample for a
nantly smaller than 80 mesh. given period of time. Exit air flow removes undersized par-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the ticles downward through the test sieve to a collection canister.
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for The amount of carbon retained on the test sieve is weighed and
information only. the percent passing the test sieve is computed by difference.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the For a particle size distribution, the test must be repeated using
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the sieves with different openings.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 5.1 The particle size of powdered activated carbon is
sometimes used to evaluate filter cake filtration rates and the
2. Referenced Documents
filter penetration in filtering applications. The selection and
2.1 ASTM Standards: handling of powdered activated carbon, and operation of
D 2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon processes using powdered activated carbon, requires the
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur- knowledge of the particle size.
poses
NOTE 1—Relative humidity (RH) can affect the repeatability and
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
accuracy of this test. Activated carbon not at equilibrium with the RH of
ASTM Test Methods
the ambient air may lose or gain weight accordingly, dependent upon
E 300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals whether or not the carbon picks up or loses moisture.
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
3 6. Apparatus
Determine the Precision and Bias of a Test Method
2.2 ASTM Special Technical Publication: 6.1 Air-Jet Sieve Assembly .
6.2 Wire Cloth Sieves, bronze or stainless steel (stainless
Manual on Test Sieving Methods, ASTM STP 447B, ASTM,
1985, pp. 9–10. steel sieves preferred), 200 and 325 mesh, in accordance with
Specification E 11. The sieves shall be 203 mm (8 in.) in
3. Terminology
diameter.
3.1 Definitions—Terms relating to this test method are 6.3 Brush, soft bristle.
defined in Terminology D 2652. 6.4 Balance, with a sensitivity of 1.0 mg.
6.5 Ultrasonic Bath, capable of cleaning 203-mm (8-in.)
diameter sieves.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-28 on
ActivatedCarbonandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD28.02onLiquid
Phase Evaluation.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1998. Published December 1998. Originally
published as D 5158 – 91. Last previous edition D 5158 – 93.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.01. The Alpine air-jet sieve assembly, Model AJ-200, and wire cloth sieves have
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. been found to be satisfactory for this purpose. This apparatus is available from any
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05. of several laboratory supply houses.
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D 5158
7. Sampling 9. Calculation
7.1 Activated carbon is not strictly a chemically and physi- 9.1 Calculate the percent passing through the test sieve as
follows:
cally homogeneous material.To enable performing meaningful
tests within the stated tolerances of theASTM test methods, it
~S 2 R!
P, % passing 5 3 100
is essential that sampling be performed to obtain as represen-
S
tative a sample as possible. When a small amount of sample
represents tons of material, the collection, mixing, and prepa-
where
ration of samples is extremely important. The practice de-
P 5 percent of sam
...