ASTM C159-06(2016)

Standard Specification for Vitrified Clay Filter Blocks

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the criteria for acceptance, prior to installation, of vitrified clay filter block used in trickling filters for the treatment of sewage and industrial wastes. Filter block shall be formed from fire clay, shale, surface clay, or a combination of these materials. Chemical properties such as acid resistance; and physical properties such as compressive strength, and absorption; are detailed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes the criteria for acceptance, prior to installation, of vitrified clay filter block used in trickling filters for the treatment of sewage and industrial wastes.  
1.2 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 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portions shown in Annex A1 – Annex A3. 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: 31-Oct-2016
• ICS: 81.080 - Refractories
• Technical Committee: C04 - Vitrified Clay Pipe
• Drafting Committee: C04.20 - Methods of Test and Specifications

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:C159 −06 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Specification for
1
Vitrified Clay Filter Blocks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C159; 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 arrangedtoformdrainageandaerationgrillesthatpassairinto,
and liquids from, overlying filtering media. The drainage
1.1 This specification establishes the criteria for acceptance,
channels of the filter block provide for the conveyance of the
prior to installation, of vitrified clay filter block used in
filtered liquid away from the filter bed.
trickling filters for the treatment of sewage and industrial
3.2.2.1 Type I-S and Type I-H filter block—one-piece units
wastes.
suitable for constructing a single-course trickling filter floor.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.2.3 lot—unless otherwise specified, a lot shall consist of
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
all filter block of each type of the contract or purchase order.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.2.4 walls—Exterior vertical sides of vitrified clay filter
and are not considered standard.
block.
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
3.2.5 webs—interior supports separating channels of vitri-
test method portions shown in Annex A1 – Annex A3. This
fied clay filter block.
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
4. Classification
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
4.1 Filter block are manufactured in the following types:
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
4.1.1 Type I-S, standard rate and
tions prior to use.
4.1.2 Type I-H, high rate.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 The purchaser shall specify the type of filter block to be
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
furnished.
C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
C896 Terminology Relating to Clay Products
5. Ordering Information
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
5.1 Orders for filter block under this specification shall
include the following information:
3. Terminology
5.1.1 Quantity,
3.1 The definitions for clay, fire clay, shale, and surface clay
5.1.2 Type of filter block,
are as defined in Terminology C896.
5.1.3 ASTM designation and date of issue,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 5.1.4 Required tests or certification, and
5.1.5 Inspection location; factory or point of delivery.
3.2.1 compressive strength—the pressure, measured in psi
(kPa)whichcausesfailureofvitrifiedclayfilterblock,withthe
6. Materials and Manufacture
load being applied to the block in the direction of use.
6.1 Filterblockshallbeformedfromfireclay,shale,surface
3.2.2 filter block—rectangular, vitrified clay units with inte-
clay, or a combination of these materials.
rior drainage channels, having apertures that connect to the
drainage channels through the upper surface. The apertures are
6.2 Formed filter block shall be fired to a suitable tempera-
ture to yield a product that is strong, durable, and serviceable
1 and conforms to this specification.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C04 on
Vitrified Clay Pipe and is the direct responsibility of Subcomittee C04.20 on
Methods of Test and Specifications
7. Chemical Requirements
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2016. Published November 2016. Originally
7.1 Acid Resistance—Acid-soluble matter in filter block
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as C159 - 06(2011). DOI:
10.1520/C0159-06R16.
shall not exceed 0.25 % by weight when tested as specified in
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
this specification in any of the following acids: sulfuric
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
(H SO ), hydrochloric (HCl), nitric (HNO ), or acetic
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 2 4 3
the ASTM website. (CH COOH).The test shall be performed only when specified.
3
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C159−06 (2016)
7.2 The purchaser shall designate the acid or acids to be shall not extend through the upper surface from the end of the
used in this test. filter block to an aperture opening, nor between aperture
openings.
8. Physical Properties
11. Sampling
8.1 Compressive Strength—Compressive strength tests shall
be performed on full- or half-size block
...

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: C159 − 06 (Reapproved 2011) C159 − 06 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Specification for
1
Vitrified Clay Filter Blocks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C159; 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 specification establishes the criteria for acceptance, prior to installation, of vitrified clay filter block used in trickling
filters for the treatment of sewage and industrial wastes.
1.2 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 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portions shown in Annex A1 – Annex A3. 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:
C150C150/C150M Specification for Portland Cement
C896 Terminology Relating to Clay Products
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
3. Terminology
3.1 The definitions for clay, fire clay, shale, and surface clay are as defined in Terminology C896.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 compressive strength—the pressure, measured in psi (kPa) which causes failure of vitrified clay filter block, with the load
being applied to the block in the direction of use.
3.2.2 filter block—rectangular, vitrified clay units with interior drainage channels, having apertures that connect to the drainage
channels through the upper surface. The apertures are arranged to form drainage and aeration grilles that pass air into, and liquids
from, overlying filtering media. The drainage channels of the filter block provide for the conveyance of the filtered liquid away
from the filter bed.
3.2.2.1 Type I-S and Type I-H filter block—one-piece units suitable for constructing a single-course trickling filter floor.
3.2.3 lot—unless otherwise specified, a lot shall consist of all filter block of each type of the contract or purchase order.
3.2.4 walls—Exterior vertical sides of vitrified clay filter block.
3.2.5 webs—interior supports separating channels of vitrified clay filter block.
4. Classification
4.1 Filter block are manufactured in the following types:
4.1.1 Type I-S, standard rate and
4.1.2 Type I-H, high rate.
4.2 The purchaser shall specify the type of filter block to be furnished.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C04 on Vitrified Clay Pipe and is the direct responsibility of Subcomittee C04.20 on Methods of Test
and Specifications
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2011Nov. 1, 2016. Published February 2011November 2016. Originally approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 20062011
as C159 – 06.C159 - 06(2011). DOI: 10.1520/C0159-06R11.10.1520/C0159-06R16.
2
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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C159 − 06 (2016)
5. Ordering Information
5.1 Orders for filter block under this specification shall include the following information:
5.1.1 Quantity,
5.1.2 Type of filter block,
5.1.3 ASTM designation and date of issue,
5.1.4 Required tests or certification, and
5.1.5 Inspection location; factory or point of delivery.
6. Materials and Manufacture
6.1 Filter block shall be formed from fire clay, shale, surface clay, or a combination of these materials.
6.2 Formed filter block shall be fired to a suitable temperature to yield a product that is strong, durable, and serviceable and
conforms to this specification.
7. Chemical Requirements
7.1 Acid Resistance—Acid-soluble matter in filter block shall not exceed 0.25 % by weight when tested as specified in this
specification in any of the following acids: sulfuric (H SO ), hydrochloric (HCl), nitric (HNO ), or acetic (CH COOH). T
...