ASTM D4069-95(2020)

Standard Specification for Impregnated Activated Carbon Used to Remove Gaseous Radio-Iodines from Gas Streams

ABSTRACT
This standard covers the specifications for physical properties and performance requirements of virgin impregnated activated carbon to be used for the removal of gaseous radioiodine species from gas streams. The activated carbon furnished under this specification shall be virgin material. Each batch of impregnated activated carbon shall conform to the requirements for physical properties prescribed. The following test methods shall used to determine the physical properties and performance capability of the sample: apparent density; particle size distribution; ash content; moisture content; ignition temperature; ball-pan hardness; and pH.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Activated carbons used in containment systems for nuclear reactors must be capable of functioning under both normal operating conditions and those conditions which may exist following a design basis accident (DBA). Adsorbent beds that are part of recirculatory systems inside containment may be exposed to the peak pressure, temperature, and steam content of a post-DBA condition.  
5.2 Carbon beds outside containment will be protected by fast-acting shutoff valves from the sudden rise in pressure, temperature, and humidity of the containment atmosphere which would exist following a DBA. However, some rise in temperature and humidity will be experienced even by beds outside containment if they are reconnected to containment after the initial pressure rise (due to escape of steam into the containment volume) has been reduced by containment coolers. The amount of radioactivity that can reach either type of adsorption system is conceivably quite high; hence, there is a possibility of a bed temperature rise due to decay heating. The gaseous radioactive contaminants of most interest are organic iodides. In this test, CH3I is used to typify the performance of the carbon on organic iodine compounds in general. The test described here provide a reasonable picture of the effectiveness of an activated carbon for organic iodides under normal and post-DBA conditions. The equipment and methods described can be used, with discretion, for similar tests at different gas flow conditions and, to some extent, on different gaseous radioactive contaminants and other adsorbents.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers the specifications for physical properties and performance requirements of virgin impregnated activated carbon to be used for the removal of gaseous radioiodine species from gas streams.  
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 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-Jun-2020
• ICS: 71.040.30 - Chemical reagents
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.04 - Gas Phase Evaluation Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4069-95(2014) - Standard Specification for Impregnated Activated Carbon Used to Remove Gaseous Radio-Iodines from Gas Streams
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3466-06(2023) - Standard Test Method for Ignition Temperature of Granular Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D3838-23 - Standard Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D2866-11(2018) - Standard Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM D3466-06(2018) - Standard Test Method for Ignition Temperature of Granular Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2018
• Refers: ASTM D3838-05(2017) - Standard Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2017
• Refers: ASTM D2854-09(2014) - Standard Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2014
• Refers: ASTM D2652-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D2866-11 - Standard Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-May-2011
• Refers: ASTM D3838-05(2011) - Standard Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011
• Refers: ASTM D3466-06(2011) - Standard Test Method for Ignition Temperature of Granular Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011
• Refers: ASTM D3802-10 - Standard Test Method for Ball-Pan Hardness of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM D2867-09 - Standard Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM D2862-97(2009) - Standard Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Granular Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009
• Refers: ASTM D2862-97(2009)e1 - Standard Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Granular Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009

Overview

ASTM D4069-95(2020) is the standard specification for impregnated activated carbon designed to remove gaseous radioiodine species from gas streams. Developed by ASTM, this international standard outlines the requirements for the physical properties, performance, and quality assurance of virgin impregnated activated carbon. The standard is critical in maintaining air quality and safety in environments such as nuclear facilities, where the control and filtration of radioactive contaminants, specifically gaseous iodine compounds like organic iodides, are essential.

Key Topics

• Material Requirements: Only virgin impregnated activated carbon is allowed under this standard; reactivated carbon is specifically excluded.
• Batch and Lot Definitions: The standard ensures consistency by defining “batch” and “lot” in terms of manufacturing conditions and homogeneity.
• Physical Property Specifications: Key properties evaluated include:
  • Apparent density
  • Particle size distribution
  • Ash content
  • Moisture content
  • Ignition temperature
  • Ball-pan hardness
  • pH
• Performance Criteria: Each batch of impregnated carbon must achieve a methyl iodide removal efficiency of at least 97% at 30°C and 95% relative humidity.
• Testing Protocols: Required test methods for each property are defined by specific referenced ASTM standards.
• Quality Assurance: Compliance with ANSI/ASME NQA-1 for quality assurance in nuclear facilities is mandatory.
• Sampling and Testing: Thorough sampling and representative testing are essential for batch approval and ongoing quality.

Applications

ASTM D4069-95(2020) is primarily applied in contexts where control of radioactive gaseous species is critical, including:

• Nuclear Power Plants: Used in containment and recirculatory systems to ensure that airborne radioiodines, such as methyl iodide, are effectively removed during both normal and post-accident (DBA) operating conditions.
• Industrial Air Filtration: Suitable for any industrial process where airborne iodine species pose a health or environmental risk.
• Emergency Gas Filtration: Supports mitigation of radioactive gas discharge following power plant incidents, protecting personnel and the environment.
• Engineered Safety Features: An essential component in engineered safety systems for reactor containment and ventilation, adhering to strict performance and certification requirements.

This standard ensures that activated carbon used in these settings provides the reliability, consistency, and efficacy required for safety-critical applications. The performance of the carbon under varying temperature and humidity, and its ability to cope with high radioactive loading, are validated through rigorous, standardized testing.

Related Standards

For proper implementation and verification of impregnated activated carbon for radioiodine removal, several referenced or associated standards should be considered:

• ASTM D3803: Test Method for Nuclear-Grade Activated Carbon - performance testing for adsorption of radioactive iodine.
• ASTM D2652: Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon.
• ASTM D2854, D2862, D2866, D2867, D3466, D3802, D3838: Standard test methods for assessing density, particle size, ash content, moisture, ignition temperature, hardness, and pH, respectively.
• ASTM E300: Practice for sampling industrial chemicals, crucial for representative carbon batch sampling.
• ANSI/ASME NQA-1: Quality Assurance Program Requirements for Nuclear Facilities, which governs documentation, traceability, and quality processes.

By following ASTM D4069-95(2020) and related standards, organizations can ensure effective mitigation of gaseous radioiodine hazards, maintain regulatory compliance, and secure the operational safety of their facilities. This improves protection for the workforce, the community, and the environment from radioactive gas challenges.

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: D4069 −95 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Specification for
Impregnated Activated Carbon Used to Remove Gaseous
Radio-Iodines from Gas Streams
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4069; 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 2.2 ANSI/ASME Standard:
NQA-1 Quality Assurance Program Requirements for
1.1 This standard covers the specifications for physical
Nuclear Facilities
properties and performance requirements of virgin impreg-
nated activated carbon to be used for the removal of gaseous
3. Terminology
radioiodine species from gas streams.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions relating to this specification are
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
given in Terminology D2652.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard.
3.2.1 lot—a quantity of impregnated activated carbon of the
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
same grade or type, consisting of one or more batches, that has
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
beenproducedunderthesamemanufacturer’sproductionorder
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
using the same manufacturing procedure and equipment.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2.2 batch—a quantity of impregnated activated carbon of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
the same grade or type that has been produced using the same
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
manufacturing procedures and equipment, and that has been
homogenized so as to exhibit the same physical properties and
2. Referenced Documents
performance characteristics throughout its mass.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—The maximum allowable batch size shall be 10 m.
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
D2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated 3.2.3 qualification test—a one-time test performed on each
Carbon
of three grab samples taken randomly from a single homog-
D2862 Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Granu-
enized batch of a vendor’s grade or type of impregnated
lar Activated Carbon activated carbon to determine its suitability for the purpose
D2866 Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated
stated herein. The size of each grab sample should be at least
Carbon 500 cm.
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
3.2.4 batch test—a test performed on a representative
D3466 Test Method for Ignition Temperature of Granular
sample of each batch of the same grade or type of impregnated
Activated Carbon
activated carbon to determine whether that batch meets the
D3802 Test Method for Ball-Pan Hardness of Activated
specification prescribed herein.
Carbon
3.2.5 grade or type—the manufacturer’s designation for an
D3803 Test Method for Nuclear-Grade Activated Carbon
impregnated activated carbon having a given set of perfor-
D3838 Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon
mance capabilities and physical properties.
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
4. Materials and Manufacture
1 4.1 The activated carbon furnished under this specification
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on
Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas shall be virgin material. Reactivated carbon shall not be used.
Phase Evaluation Tests.
4.2 Impregnated activated carbon furnished under this
Current edition approved July 1, 2020. Published July 2020. Originally approved
in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D4069 – 95 (2014). DOI: specification shall be subject to the document control provi-
10.1520/D4069-95R20.
sions of Section 7 of ANSI NQA-1.
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 Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4069 − 95 (2020)
TABLE 1 Physical Properties
4.3 Materials used in the manufacture of impregnated acti-
vated carbon furnished under this specification shall be trace- Test Test Method Specification
able as provided in Section 9 of ANSI NQA-1. Apparent density D2854 0.38 g/mL, min
Particle size distribution, D2862
ASTM E11 Sieves:
5. Significance and Use
Retained on No. 6 0.1 %, max
Retained on No. 8 5.0 %, max
5.1 Activated carbons used in containment systems for
Through No. 8, Retained 60.0 %, max
nuclear reactors must be capable of functioning under both on No. 12
Through No. 12, Retained 40.0 %, min
normal operating conditions and those conditions which may
on No. 16
exist following a design basis accident (DBA).Adsorbent beds
Through No. 16 5.0 %, max
that are part of recirculatory systems inside containment may Through No. 18 1.0 %, max
A
Ash content D2866 State value
be exposed to the peak pressure, temperature, and steam
Moisture content D2867 State value
content of a post-DBA condition.
Ignition temperature D3466 330 °C, min
Ball-pan hardness D3802 92.0 %, min
5.2 Carbon beds outside containment will be protected by
pH D3838 State value
fast-acting shutoff valves from the sudden rise in pressure,
A
This test to be performed on the base carbon prior to impregnation.
temperature, and humidity of the containment atmosphere
which would exist following a DBA. However, some rise in
temperature and humidity will be experienced even by beds
10. Number of Tests and Retests
outside containment if they are reconnected to containment
10.1 Each batch test specified in Section 8 and Table 1 shall
after the initial pressure rise (due to escape of steam into the
be performed at least once on each batch of carbon unless the
containment volume) has been reduced by containment cool-
test method prescribes a greater number of tests.
ers. The amount of
...