ASTM D6504-11

Standard Practice for On-Line Determination of Cation Conductivity in High Purity Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Cation conductivity provides one of the most sensitive and dependable on-line means of detecting anionic contamination in the boiler/steam cycle, such as chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, bicarbonates, and organic acids, such as formic and acetic.
High sensitivity is provided by intentionally eliminating the pH adjusting treatment chemical(s), for example, ammonia and amines, from the sample and converting remaining salt contaminants into their acid forms which are approximately three times as conductive.
Guidelines on cation conductivity limits for various cycle chemistry and boiler types have been established by EPRI  (2-4)  and by ASME (5,6).
The sample effluent from the cation exchange column also may be used, and in some cases is preferred, for ion chromatography or other anion measurements.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes continuous sample conditioning by hydrogen ion exchange and measurement by electrolytic conductivity. It is commonly known as cation conductivity measurement in the power industry although it is actually an indication of anion contamination in high purity water samples. Measurements are typically in a range less than 1 μS/cm.  
1.2 The actual conductivity measurements are made using Test Method D5391.
1.3 This practice does not provide for separate determination of dissolved carbon dioxide. Refer to Test Methods D2186 and D4519.
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.5 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2011
• ICS: 13.060.60 - Examination of physical properties of water
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.03 - Sampling Water and Water-Formed Deposits, Analysis of Water for Power Generation and Process Use, On-Line Water Analysis, and Surveillance of Water

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6504-07 - Standard Practice for On-Line Determination of Cation Conductivity in High Purity Water
• Effective Date: 01-May-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM D6504-11(2016)e1 - Standard Practice for On-Line Determination of Cation Conductivity in High Purity Water
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2016

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: D6504 − 11
StandardPractice for
On-Line Determination of Cation Conductivity in High Purity
1
Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6504; 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 D2186 Test Methods for Deposit-Forming Impurities in
Steam
1.1 This practice describes continuous sample conditioning
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
by hydrogen ion exchange and measurement by electrolytic
D3864 Guide for On-Line Monitoring Systems for Water
conductivity. It is commonly known as cation conductivity
Analysis
measurement in the power industry although it is actually an
D4519 Test Method for On-Line Determination of Anions
indicationofanioncontaminationinhighpuritywatersamples.
and Carbon Dioxide in High Purity Water by Cation
Measurements are typically in a range less than 1 µS/cm.
Exchange and Degassed Cation Conductivity
1.2 The actual conductivity measurements are made using
D5391 Test Method for Electrical Conductivity and Resis-
Test Method D5391.
tivity of a Flowing High Purity Water Sample
1.3 This practice does not provide for separate determina-
D5540 Practice for Flow Control and Temperature Control
tion of dissolved carbon dioxide. Refer toTest Methods D2186
for On-Line Water Sampling and Analysis
and D4519.
3. Terminology
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
practice, refer to Test Methods D1125, Terminology D1129,
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
and Practice D3864.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
with the standard.
3.2.1 cation conductivity, n—the parameter obtained by
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
conditioning a sample by passing it through a hydrogen form
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- cation ion exchange resin column and then measuring its
electrolytic conductivity, on-line.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.2 specific conductivity, n—direct electrolytic conductiv-
ity measurement of a power plant sample, usually dominated
2. Referenced Documents
by treatment chemicals, such as ammonia or amines.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
4. Summary of Practice
D1125 Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity and Resis-
tivity of Water 4.1 The sample is passed continuously through a small
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
cation exchange column in the hydrogen form, which ex-
+
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water changes all cations for H . In this process, pH adjusting
treatment chemicals, such as ammonia and amines are re-
moved.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.03 on Sampling Water and
4.2 Measurement is made continuously on the conditioned
Water-Formed Deposits, Analysis of Water for Power Generation and Process Use,
sample with a process high purity conductivity analyzer/
On-Line Water Analysis, and Surveillance of Water.
Current edition approved May 1, 2011. Published May 2011. Originally
transmitter.
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D6504 – 07. DOI:
10.1520/D6504-11.
4.3 Temperature conditioning of the sample and specialized
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
compensation of the measurement are used to minimize
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
temperature effects on the performance of the ion exchange
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. resin and the measurement.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6504 − 11
4.4 Few studies have been published on the performance of desirable to obtain a cation conductivity measurement with
cation conductivity measurement but one collaborative effort carbon dioxide removed (see Test Methods D2186 and D4519.
3
provides some background (1).
6.5 Carbondioxidemayalsobeaspiratedasacomponentof
air, into the sample line through loose fittings in the exchange
5. Significance and Use
column,fl
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D6504–07 Designation:D6504–11
Standard Practice for
On-Line Determination of Cation Conductivity in High Purity
1
Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6504; 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 practice describes continuous sample conditioning by hydrogen ion exchange and measurement by electrolytic
conductivity. It is commonly known as cation conductivity measurement in the power industry although it is actually an indication
of anion contamination in high purity water samples. Measurements are typically in a range less than 1 µS/cm.
1.2 The actual conductivity measurements are made using Test Method D5391.
1.3 This practice does not provide for separate determination of dissolved carbon dioxide. Refer to Test Methods D2186 and
D4519.
1.4
1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.5 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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
D1125 Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity and Resistivity of Water
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2186 Test Methods for Deposit-Forming Impurities in Steam
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
3
D3864 Guide for Continual On-Line Monitoring Systems for Water Analysis
D4519 Test Method for On-Line Determination ofAnions and Carbon Dioxide in High Purity Water by Cation Exchange and
Degassed Cation Conductivity
D5391 Test Method for Electrical Conductivity and Resistivity of a Flowing High Purity Water Sample
D5540 Practice for Flow Control and Temperature Control for On-Line Water Sampling and Analysis
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Test Methods D1125, Terminology D1129, and Practice
D3864.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cation conductivity, n—theparameterobtainedbyconditioningasamplebypassingitthroughahydrogenformcationion
exchange resin column and then measuring its electrolytic conductivity, on-line.
3.2.2 specific conductivity, n—direct electrolytic conductivity measurement of a power plant sample, usually dominated by
treatment chemicals, such as ammonia or amines.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 onWater and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.03 on SamplingWater andWater-Formed
Deposits, Analysis of Water for Power Generation and Process Use, On-Line Water Analysis, and Surveillance of Water.Water.
Current edition approved June 15, 2007.May 1, 2011. Published June 2007.May 2011. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20002007 as
D6504 – 007. DOI: 10.1520/D6504-07.10.1520/D6504-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
3
Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6504–11
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The sample is passed continuously through a small cation exchange column in the hydrogen form, which exchanges all
+
cations for H . In this process, pH adjusting treatment chemicals, such as ammonia and amines are removed.
4.2 Measurement is made continuously on the conditioned sample with a process high purity conductivity analyzer/transmitter.
4.3 Temperatureconditioningofthesampleandspecializedcompensationofthemeasurementareusedtominimizetemperature
effects on the performance of the ion exchange resin and the measurement.
4.4 Few studies have been published on the performance of cation conductivity meas
...