The butane activity as determined by this test method is a measure of the ability of an activated carbon to adsorb butane from dry air under specified conditions. It is useful for the quality control and evaluation of granular activated carbons. The butane activity is an indication of the micropore volume of the activated carbon sample. This activity number does not necessarily provide an absolute or relative measure of the effectiveness of the tested carbon for other adsorbates or at other conditions of operation.

The butane activity test can be used as a non-ozone depleting substitute for the carbon tetrachloride activity test in Test Method D3467. Fig. 1 shows an experimental correlation of activity values obtained using the two adsorbates.

Note 1—This test has not been designed for use with powdered activated carbon, but it has been used successfully when the flow rate or time are adjusted or the sample volume is decreased to keep the pressure drop at an acceptable value.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers determination of the activation level of activated carbon. Butane activity (BA) is defined herein as the ratio (in percent) of the mass of butane adsorbed by an activated carbon sample to the mass of the sample, when the carbon is saturated with butane under the conditions listed in this test method.

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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific warning statement, see 7.1.

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

D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon

D3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration

D3467 Test Method for Carbon Tetrachloride Activity of Activated Carbon

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

Keywords

activated carbon; Activated carbon; Butane; Butane activity (BA);

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 71.040.30 (Chemical reagents)

Citing ASTM Standards

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