ASTM C400-19

Standard Test Methods for Quicklime and Hydrated Lime for Neutralization of Waste Acid

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Since all limes and waste acid solutions are different, this test method evaluates the relative quantity of a given lime needed for the neutralization of a specific quantity of acid.  
4.2 Liming materials have a specific basicity factor or measure of alkalinity which can be used for comparing their relative neutralizing power. It avoids dependence on chemical analysis and is determined as grams of calcium oxide equivalents per kilogram of liming material.  
4.3 Likewise, specific waste acids have an acid value that can be expressed as grams of hydrochloric acid equivalent per litre of acid waste. This value is related on a stoichiometric basis to lime neutralization requirements of a liquid acid waste.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the testing of quicklime and hydrated lime for use in the treatment of waste acid solutions and includes the characterization of the liming material and of the acid waste.  
Note 1: When agreed upon by the manufacturer and the purchaser, this method may be used directly to evaluate the lime requirement for a plant waste acid and in the preparation of the lime slurry; the pH, the time, temperature, and other conditions of treatment may be adjusted to conform to plant practice. Otherwise the test shall be performed as described in this method.
Note 2: Under some conditions of test the lime requirement may vary substantially from that indicated by ultimate chemical analysis or by the use of a determination of available alkalinity by titration to a stoichiometric end point.  
1.2 Units—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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2019
• ICS: 91.100.10 - Cement. Gypsum. Lime. Mortar
• Technical Committee: C07 - Lime and Limestone
• Drafting Committee: C07.05 - Chemical Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C400-98(2013)e1 - Standard Test Methods for Quicklime and Hydrated Lime for Neutralization of Waste Acid
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM E70-24 - Standard Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the Glass Electrode
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM C51-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as Used by the Industry)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2023
• Refers: ASTM C50/C50M-13(2019) - Standard Practice for Sampling, Sample Preparation, Packaging, and Marking of Lime and Limestone Products
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM C51-18 - Standard Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as used by the Industry)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2018
• Refers: ASTM E70-07(2015) - Standard Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the Glass Electrode
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM C50/C50M-13 - Standard Practice for Sampling, Sample Preparation, Packaging, and Marking of Lime and Limestone Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM C50/C50M-12 - Standard Practice for Sampling, Sample Preparation, Packaging, and Marking of Lime and Limestone Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM C51-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as used by the Industry)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM E11-09e1 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM C51-07 - Standard Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as used by the Industry)
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2007
• Refers: ASTM C51-06 - Standard Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as used by the Industry)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2006
• Refers: ASTM C51-05a - Standard Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as used by the Industry)
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2005
• Refers: ASTM C51-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as used by the Industry)
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2005

Overview

ASTM C400-19: Standard Test Methods for Quicklime and Hydrated Lime for Neutralization of Waste Acid provides procedures for evaluating the effectiveness and required quantity of lime-both quicklime and hydrated lime-in neutralizing waste acid solutions. Developed by ASTM International, this standard outlines detailed methods to characterize liming materials and acid wastes, focusing on their interaction during neutralization. The standard enables reliable, comparative evaluations of lime products for industrial waste treatment applications, helping ensure consistent results, optimized chemical usage, and environmental compliance.

Key Topics

• Lime Characterization: The standard details tests to determine the basicity factor of liming materials, quantifying their relative neutralizing power in terms of calcium oxide equivalent per kilogram.
• Acid Value Measurement: It provides a method to express the acidity of waste solutions, using hydrochloric acid equivalence, facilitating standardized reporting and direct comparison among different waste streams.
• Neutralization Coefficient: This metric indicates the amount of lime needed to achieve a specified pH (e.g., pH 4.4) in a set period (30 minutes), supporting precise dosing in real-world applications.
• Test Methods: Two primary procedures are covered:
  • Test Method A: Determines the lime requirement for neutralizing a standard sulfuric acid or a specific waste acid sample.
  • Test Method B: Establishes the relationship between acid value and lime basicity to predict neutralization requirements.
• Adaptability to Plant Conditions: The procedures may be adapted, by mutual agreement between manufacturer and purchaser, to reflect actual plant treatment conditions, with adjustments for pH, temperature, and timing.

Applications

ASTM C400-19 is widely used in industries generating acid waste streams, such as chemical manufacturing, metal processing, and water treatment facilities. Key applications include:

• Acid Neutralization: Ensuring that waste acid solutions are treated safely and effectively before disposal or further processing, minimizing environmental impact and meeting regulatory requirements.
• Product Selection and Quality Control: Assisting buyers and suppliers in the objective evaluation and comparison of quicklime and hydrated lime products based on their neutralizing capacity, as opposed to relying solely on chemical analysis.
• Process Optimization: Supporting plant engineers and operators in optimizing lime usage, lowering chemical costs, and improving operational consistency by quantifying the required dosage for specific waste streams.
• Compliance Assurance: Providing a standardized approach for documentation and regulatory reporting related to the treatment of acidic waste.

Related Standards

ASTM C400-19 references additional standards to ensure precise and consistent test execution:

• ASTM C50 / C50M: Practice for Sampling, Sample Preparation, Packaging, and Marking of Lime and Limestone Products.
• ASTM C51: Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone.
• ASTM E11: Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves.
• ASTM E70: Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions with the Glass Electrode.

Keywords: quicklime, hydrated lime, acid neutralization, waste acid treatment, basicity factor, neutralization coefficient, ASTM C400, lime requirement, industrial waste, pH control, environmental compliance, lime testing methods.

By following ASTM C400-19, organizations enhance their ability to manage acidic waste streams safely, efficiently, and in full alignment with international best practices for environmental management and industrial process control.

Standards Content (Sample)

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: C400 − 19
Standard Test Methods for
Quicklime and Hydrated Lime for Neutralization of Waste
Acid
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C400; 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 Packaging, and Marking of Lime and Limestone Products
C51 Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as used
1.1 This test method covers the testing of quicklime and
by the Industry)
hydrated lime for use in the treatment of waste acid solutions
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
and includes the characterization of the liming material and of
Sieves
the acid waste.
E70 Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the
NOTE 1—When agreed upon by the manufacturer and the purchaser,
Glass Electrode
this method may be used directly to evaluate the lime requirement for a
plantwasteacidandinthepreparationofthelimeslurry;thepH,thetime,
3. Terminology
temperature, and other conditions of treatment may be adjusted to
conform to plant practice. Otherwise the test shall be performed as
3.1 Definitions:
described in this method.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
NOTE 2—Under some conditions of test the lime requirement may vary
to Terminology C51.
substantially from that indicated by ultimate chemical analysis or by the
use of a determination of available alkalinity by titration to a stoichio-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
metric end point.
3.2.1 neutralization coeffıcient—the number of parts of lime
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded required to neutralize one million parts by weight of sulfuric
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this acid solution (1.5 %) to a pH of 4.4 in 30 min (see Note 1).
standard.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Since all limes and waste acid solutions are different,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
this test method evaluates the relative quantity of a given lime
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
needed for the neutralization of a specific quantity of acid.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 Liming materials have a specific basicity factor or
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
measure of alkalinity which can be used for comparing their
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
relative neutralizing power. It avoids dependence on chemical
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
analysis and is determined as grams of calcium oxide equiva-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
lents per kilogram of liming material.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 4.3 Likewise, specific waste acids have an acid value that
can be expressed as grams of hydrochloric acid equivalent per
2. Referenced Documents
litre of acid waste. This value is related on a stoichiometric
basistolimeneutralizationrequirementsofaliquidacidwaste.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C50/C50M Practice for Sampling, Sample Preparation,
5. Apparatus
5.1 pH Measuring Apparatus, conforming to the require-
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C07 on
ments of Section 5, Apparatus, and Section 6, Reagents and
Lime and Limestone and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C07.05 on
Materials, of Test Method E70.Atime-pH recording device or
Chemical Tests.
attachment is desirable but not required.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally
ε1
approved in 1957. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as C400 – 98 (2013) .
5.2 Analytical Balance, capable of reproducing results
DOI: 10.1520/C0400-19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or within 0.005 g.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.3 Stirrer, motorized, capable of rotating at speeds from
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 120 to 600 r/min.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C400 − 19
5.4 Sieves—300-µm (No. 50) and 150-µm (No. 100) sieves as a function of grams of lime per 1000 g of H SO (1.5 %),
2 4
conforming to Specification E11. with particular emphasis in the region of pH equals 4.4.
5.5 Miscellaneous Equipment—Chemically resistant
7.4 Results:
glassware, metal stands for support of the equipment, etc. 7.4.1 Neutralization Rate Curves:
7.4.1.1 Plot pH versus time in minutes for each of the
6. Purity of Reagents
lime-acid ratios used in the initial series of tests.This family of
curves serves as the basis for calculation of the lime require-
6.1 Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests.
ments.
Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all reagents shall
7.4.2 Lime Requirement Curve:
conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical
7.4.2.1 Plot the pH in 30 min, as determined from the
Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where such
neutralization rate curves described in 7.3.2, against grams of
specifications are available. Other grades may be used, pro-
lime used per 1000 g of H SO (1.5 %).
vided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
2 4
7.4.3 Neutralization Coeffıcient:
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
the determination. 7.4.3.1 Interpolate the quantity of lime required to achieve a
pH of 4.4 in 30 min from the lime requirement curve (7.3.2),
6.2 Unless otherwise indicated, references to water shall be
correct for the actual acid concentration, and calculate as parts
understood to mean distilled water.
of lime required per million parts of H SO (1.5 %) as follows:
2 4
7. Test Method A—for Determining Lime Requirement for
the neutralization of a standard sulfuric ac
...

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.
´1
Designation: C400 − 98 (Reapproved 2013) C400 − 19
Standard Test Methods for
Quicklime and Hydrated Lime for Neutralization of Waste
Acid
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C400; 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.
ε NOTE—Corrected erroneous references in 7.4.2.1 and 7.4.3.1 in December 2017.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the testing of quicklime and hydrated lime for use in the treatment of waste acid solutions and
includes the characterization of the liming material and of the acid waste.
NOTE 1—When agreed upon by the manufacturer and the purchaser, this method may be used directly to evaluate the lime requirement for a plant waste
acid and in the preparation of the lime slurry; the pH, the time, temperature, and other conditions of treatment may be adjusted to conform to plant
practice. Otherwise the test shall be performed as described in this method.
NOTE 2—Under some conditions of test the lime requirement may vary substantially from that indicated by ultimate chemical analysis or by the use
of a determination of available alkalinity by titration to a stoichiometric end point.
1.2 Units—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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C50C50/C50M Practice for Sampling, Sample Preparation, Packaging, and Marking of Lime and Limestone Products
C51 Terminology Relating to Lime and Limestone (as used by the Industry)
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E70 Test Method for pH of Aqueous Solutions With the Glass Electrode
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology C51.
3.2 Definitions:Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 neutralization coeffıcient—the number of parts of lime required to neutralize one million parts by weight of sulfuric acid
solution (1.5 %) to a pH of 4.4 in 30 min (see Note 1).
3.1.2 pH—a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of a sample and representing the logarithm of the reciprocal (negative
logarithm) of the activity of hydrogen ions, calculated as follows:
pH 5 log 52log H
~ !
H
~ !
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C07 on Lime and Limestone and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C07.05 on Chemical
Tests.
Current edition approved July 1, 2013Dec. 1, 2019. Published August 2013December 2019. Originally approved in 1957. Last previous edition approved in 20062013 as
ε1
C400 – 98 (2006).(2013) . DOI: 10.1520/C0400-98R13E01.10.1520/C0400-19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C400 − 19
where:
+
H = activity of hydrogen ions.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Since all limes and waste acid solutions are different, this test method evaluates the relative quantity of a given lime needed
for the neutralization of a specific quantity of acid.
4.2 Liming materials have a specific basicity factor or measure of alkalinity which can be used for comparing their relative
neutralizing power. It avoids dependence on chemical analysis and is determined as grams of calcium oxide equivalents per
kilogram of liming material.
4.3 Likewise, specific waste acids have an acid value that can be expressed as grams of hydrochloric acid equivalent per litre
of acid waste. This value is related on a stoichiometric basis to lime neutralization requirements of a liquid acid waste.
5. Apparatus
5.1 pH Measuring Apparatus, conforming to the requirements of Section 5, Apparatus, and Section 6, Reagents and Materials,
of Test Method E70. A time-pH recording device or attachment is desirable but not required.
5.2 Analytical Balance, capable of reproducing results within 0.005 g.
5.3 Stirrer, motorized, capable of rotating at speeds from 120 to 600 r/min.
5.4 Sieves—300-μm (No. 50) and 150-μm (No. 100) sieves conforming to Specification E11.
5.5 Miscellaneous Equipment—Chemically resistant glassware, metal stands for support of the equipment, etc.
6. Purity of Reagents
6.1 Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all reagents shall conform
to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where such specifications are
available. Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently high purity to permit its use
without lessening the accuracy of the determination.
6.2 Unless otherwise indicated, references to water shall be understood to mean distilled water.
7. Test Method A—for Determining Lime Requirement for the neutralization of a standard sulfuric acid or waste acid
solution within a time limit of thirty minutes.
7.1 Reagents:
7.1.1 Sulfuric Acid, Standard Solution (1.5 6 0.05 %)—Thoroughly mix 15.8 g of concentrated sulfuric acid (95 % H SO )
2 4
with water, dilute to 1 L, analyze to within 0.005 % H SO , and store in a suitable stoppered bottle.
2 4
7.2 Preparation of Sample:
7.2.1 Take samples of quicklime and hydrated lime in accordance with Methods C50C50/C50M.
7.2.2 Quicklime—Weigh a sample of quicklime (2.50 6 0.01 g) ground to pass a No. 50 mesh300-μm (No. 50) sieve. Add to
a 500-mL tall-form beaker containing 50 mL of boiling water and continue to boil for 2 min. Remove from hot plate and continue
s
...