ASTM D2652-11

Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This terminology ensures that terms peculiar to activated carbon are adequately defined so that other standards in which such terms are used can be understood and interpreted properly.
This terminology is useful to those who are not conversant with the terms related to activated carbon. However, it is also a ready reference for those directly associated with activated carbon to resolve differences and ensure commonality of usage, particularly in the preparation of ASTM standards.
Although this terminology is intended to promote uniformity in the usage of terms related to activated carbon, it can never be complete because new terms are constantly arising. The existence of this terminology does not preclude the use or misuse of any term in another context.
SCOPE
1.1 This terminology covers terms particularly related to activated carbon and encompasses finished products, applications, and testing procedures.
1.2 When any of the definitions in this terminology are quoted or published out of context, editorially insert the limiting phrase “in activated carbon” after the dash following the term to properly limit the field of application of the term and definition.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jun-2011
• ICS: 01.040.71 - Chemical technology (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 71.060.10 - Chemical elements
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.03 - Nomenclature and Editorial

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2652-05a - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D5832-98(2021) - Standard Test Method for Volatile Matter Content of Activated Carbon Samples
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D8176-18(2023) - Standard Test Method for Mechanically Tapped Density of Activated Carbon (Powdered and Fine Mesh)
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D3466-06(2018) - Standard Test Method for Ignition Temperature of Granular Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D6586-03(2021) - Standard Practice for the Prediction of Contaminant Adsorption on GAC in Aqueous Systems Using Rapid Small-Scale Column Tests
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D3802-23 - Standard Test Method for Ball-Pan Hardness of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D3467-04(2020) - Standard Test Method for Carbon Tetrachloride Activity of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D5160-95(2019) - Standard Guide for Gas-Phase Adsorption Testing of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D6781-02(2021) - Standard Guide for Carbon Reactivation
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D7385-21 - Standard Guide for Estimating Carbon Saturation by Temperature Rise Upon Immersion
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D3803-91(2022) - Standard Test Method for Nuclear-Grade Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D6647-18 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Acid Soluble Iron via Atomic Absorption
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D3860-98(2020) - Standard Practice for Determination of Adsorptive Capacity of Activated Carbon by Aqueous Phase Isotherm Technique
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D2862-16(2022) - Standard Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Granular Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D4069-95(2020) - Standard Specification for Impregnated Activated Carbon Used to Remove Gaseous Radio-Iodines from Gas Streams
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D2652 − 11
Standard Terminology Relating to
1
Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2652; 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 acid-extractable material—substances dissolved by an acid
under specified conditions.
1.1 This terminology covers terms particularly related to
activated carbon and encompasses finished products,
activated carbon—a family of carbonaceous substances
applications, and testing procedures.
manufactured by processes that develop adsorptive proper-
ties.
1.2 When any of the definitions in this terminology are
quoted or published out of context, editorially insert the
activation—any process whereby a substance is treated to
limiting phrase “in activated carbon” after the dash following
develop adsorptive properties.
the term to properly limit the field of application of the term
and definition. activity—for activated carbon, the adsorptive capacity of an
adsorbent, usually as measured by a standard test.
2. Significance and Use
adsorbate—any substance that is adsorbed.
2.1 This terminology ensures that terms peculiar to acti-
vated carbon are adequately defined so that other standards in
adsorbent—any solid having the ability to concentrate signifi-
which such terms are used can be understood and interpreted
cant quantities of other substances on its surface.
properly.
adsorption—a process in which fluid molecules are concen-
2.2 This terminology is useful to those who are not conver-
trated on a surface by chemical or physical forces, or both.
sant with the terms related to activated carbon. However, it is
adsorption zone—see mass transfer zone.
also a ready reference for those directly associated with
activated carbon to resolve differences and ensure commonal- ash—residue after the combustion of a substance under speci-
ityofusage,particularlyinthepreparationofASTMstandards. fied conditions.
2.3 Although this terminology is intended to promote uni-
as is basis—as received.
formity in the usage of terms related to activated carbon, it can
breakpoint—the appearance in the effluent of a specified
never be complete because new terms are constantly arising.
concentration of an adsorbate.
The existence of this terminology does not preclude the use or
misuse of any term in another context.
breakthrough, n—the first appearance in the effluent of an
adsorbate of interest under specified conditions.
3. Terminology
channeling—the preferential flow of fluid through passages of
abrasion resistance—the property of a particle to resist
lower resistance that can occur in fixed beds or columns of
attrition or wearing away by friction.
particles owing to nonuniform packing, irregular sizes and
absorption—a process in which fluid molecules are taken up
shapes of the particles, gas pockets, wall effects, and other
by a liquid or solid and distributed throughout the body of
causes.
that liquid or solid.
chemical adsorption— see chemisorption.
accelerated adsorption tests—adsorption tests in which the
chemisorption (chemical adsorption)—the binding of an
end point is hastened by testing at conditions more severe
adsorbate to the surface of a solid at strengths approximating
than those anticipated in service.
those of a chemical bond.
coadsorption—the adsorption of two or more components on
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on
an adsorbent, each affecting the adsorbability of the other.
Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.03 on
Nomenclature and Editorial.
contact batch operation—an adsorption process in which an
Current edition approved June 15, 2011. Published August 2011. Originally
adsorbent is dispersed in a fluid to be treated and then
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D2652 – 05a. DOI:
10.1520/D2652-11. separated when practical equilibrium is attained.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2652 − 11
continuous moving bed—an adsorption process characterized equilibrium adsorptive capacity—the quantity of a given
by flow of a fluid through a continuously moving bed of component adsorbed per unit of adsorbent from a fluid or
granular adsorbent with continuous withdrawal of spent fluid mixture at equilibrium temperature and concentration,
adsorbent and continuous addition of reprocessed or virgin or pressure.
adsorbent.
expanded bed—a bed of granular particles through which a
fluid flows upward at a rate sufficient to slightly ele
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D2652–05a Designation:D2652–11
Standard Terminology Relating to
1
Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2652; 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
1.1 This terminology covers terms particularly related to activated carbon and encompasses finished products, applications, and
testing procedures.
1.2 When any of the definitions in this terminology are quoted or published out of context, editorially insert the limiting phrase
“in activated carbon” after the dash following the term to properly limit the field of application of the term and definition.
2. Significance and Use
2.1 Thisterminologyensuresthattermspeculiartoactivatedcarbonareadequatelydefinedsothatotherstandardsinwhichsuch
terms are used can be understood and interpreted properly.
2.2 This terminology is useful to those who are not conversant with the terms related to activated carbon. However, it is also
a ready reference for those directly associated with activated carbon to resolve differences and ensure commonality of usage,
particularly in the preparation of ASTM standards.
2.3 Although this terminology is intended to promote uniformity in the usage of terms related to activated carbon, it can never
be complete because new terms are constantly arising. The existence of this terminology does not preclude the use or misuse of
any term in another context.
3. Terminology
abrasion resistance—the property of a particle to resist attrition or wearing away by friction.
absorption—a process in which fluid molecules are taken up by a liquid or solid and distributed throughout the body of that liquid
or solid.
accelerated adsorption tests—adsorption tests in which the end point is hastened by testing at conditions more severe than those
anticipated in service.
acid-extractable material—substances dissolved by an acid under specified conditions.
activated carbon—a family of carbonaceous substances manufactured by processes that develop adsorptive properties.
activation—any process whereby a substance is treated to develop adsorptive properties.
activity—for activated carbon, the adsorptive capacity of an adsorbent, usually as measured by a standard test.
adsorbate—any substance that is adsorbed.
adsorbent—any solid having the ability to concentrate significant quantities of other substances on its surface.
adsorption—a process in which fluid molecules are concentrated on a surface by chemical or physical forces, or both.
adsorption zone—see mass transfer zone.
ash—residue after the combustion of a substance under specified conditions.
as is basis—as received.
breakpoint—the appearance in the effluent of a specified concentration of an adsorbate.
breakthrough, n—the first appearance in the effluent of an adsorbate of interest under specified conditions.
channeling—the preferential flow of fluid through passages of lower resistance that can occur in fixed beds or columns of particles
owing to nonuniform packing, irregular sizes and shapes of the particles, gas pockets, wall effects, and other causes.
chemical adsorption— see chemisorption.
chemisorption (chemical adsorption)—the binding of an adsorbate to the surface of a solid at strengths approximating those of
a chemical bond.
coadsorption—the adsorption of two or more components on an adsorbent, each affecting the adsorbability of the other.
1
This terminology is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D28 onActivated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.03 on Nomenclature and
Editorial.
Current edition approved July 1, 2005.June 15, 2011. Published July 2005.August 2011. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as
D2652 – 05a. DOI: 10.1520/D2652-05A.10.1520/D2652-11.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2652–11
contact batch operation—an adsorption process in which an adsorbent is dispersed in a fluid to be treated and then separated
when practical equilibrium is attained.
continuous moving bed—an adsorption process characterized by flow of a fluid through a continuously moving bed of granular
adsorbent with continuous withdrawal of spent adsorbent and continuous addition of reprocessed or v
...