Significance and Use
It is necessary to know the distribution of particle sizes of granular activated carbon in order to provide proper contact of gases or liquid in a packed bed of the material. Changes in particle size distribution can affect the pressure drop across the bed and the rate of adsorption in a bed of a given size.
Mean particle diameter is a property of activated carbons that influences pressure drop.
Effective size and uniformity coefficient are two properties of activated carbons often of interest in municipal water treatment applications where control of particle size is of interest.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle size distribution of granular activated carbon. For the purposes of this test, granular activated carbon is defined as a minimum of 90 % of the sample weight being retained on a 180-μm Standard sieve. A U.S. mesh 80 sieve is equivalent to a 180–μm Standard sieve.
Note 1—For extruded carbons, as the length/diameter ratio of the particles increases, the validity of the test results might be affected.
1.2 The data obtained may also be used to calculate mean particle diameter (MPD), effective size, and uniformity coefficient.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3.1 Exception—All mass measurements are in SI units only.
1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) 
The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
D2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated Carbon
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
Index Terms
granular activated carbon; particle size distribution; Activated carbon--granular; Particle size distribution;
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 19.120 (Particle size analysis. Sieving)
DOI: 10.1520/D2862-10
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Citing ASTM Standards
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