ASTM D6350-14

Standard Test Method for Mercury Sampling and Analysis in Natural Gas by Atomic Fluorescence Spectroscopy (Withdrawn 2023)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method can be used to determine the total mercury concentration of a natural gas stream down to 0.001 μg/m3. It can be used to assess compliance with environmental regulations, predict possible damage to gas plant equipment, and monitor the efficiency of mercury removal beds. Where L1  and  L2  are the specimen lengths at temperatures T1  and T2, respectively. α is, therefore, obtained by dividing the linear expansion per unit length by the change in temperature.  
4.2 The preferred sampling method for mercury collection is on supported gold sorbent, which allows the element to be trapped and extracted from the interfering matrix of the gas. Thermal desorption of mercury is performed by raising the temperature of the trap by means of a nichrome wire coiled around it.  
4.3 The preferred sampling method for mercury collection is on supported gold sorbent, which allows the element to be trapped and extracted from the interfering matrix of the gas. Thermal desorption of mercury is performed by raising the temperature of the trap by means of a nichrome wire coiled around it.  
4.4 Since AFS demonstrates lower detection limits approaching 0.1 pg, this test method avoids difficulties associated with prolonged sampling time. Saturation of the trap with interferants such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is avoided. Average sampling can range between 15 to 30 min, or less.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of total mercury in natural gas streams down to 0.001 μg/m3. It includes procedures to both obtaining a representative sample and the atomic fluorescence detection of the analyte. This procedure can be applied for both organic and inorganic mercury compounds.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.2.1 Exception:
Inch-pound units are used in Sections 5.1.2 and 7.3 when discussing pressure regulator usage.  
1.3 Warning: Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause serious medical issues. Mercury, or its vapor, has been demonstrated to be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by law.  
1.4 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 its use.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This test method covers the determination of total mercury in natural gas streams down to 0.001 μg/m3. It includes procedures to both obtaining a representative sample and the atomic fluorescence detection of the analyte. This procedure can be applied for both organic and inorganic mercury compounds.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D03 on Gaseous Fuels, this test method was withdrawn in January 2023 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2014
• Withdrawal Date: 05-Jan-2023
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• Technical Committee: D03 - Gaseous Fuels

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: D6350 − 14
Standard Test Method for
Mercury Sampling and Analysis in Natural Gas by Atomic
1
Fluorescence Spectroscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6350; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
3
1. Scope 2.2 ISO Standard
ISO 6978Determination of Mercury in Natural Gas
1.1 This test method covers the determination of total
3
mercury in natural gas streams down to 0.001 µg/m.It
3. Summary of Test Method
includes procedures to both obtaining a representative sample
and the atomic fluorescence detection of the analyte. This
3.1 Mercury from the gaseous stream is absorbed and
procedure can be applied for both organic and inorganic
preconcentrated onto a gold-coated silica sand trap. The
mercury compounds.
analyte is desorbed by raising the temperature of the trap, and
a flow of inert gas carries the mercury atoms into the cell
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
assembly of an atomic fluorescence spectrophotometer. The
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
cell is irradiated by a low pressure mercury vapor lamp at
standard.
253.652 nm. Excitation of mercury atoms produces resonance
1.2.1 Exception:Inch-poundunitsareusedinSections5.1.2
fluorescencewhichreradiatesattheexcitationwavelength.The
and 7.3 when discussing pressure regulator usage.
fluorescenceradiationisdetectedbyaphotomultipliertubeand
1.3 Warning: Mercury has been designated by many regu-
is directly proportional to the amount of mercury in the cell.
latory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause serious
The concentration of the element in the original sample is
medicalissues.Mercury,oritsvapor,hasbeendemonstratedto
obtained by comparison to freshly prepared standards, which
be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution
are analyzed by direct injection of mercury vapor into the
should be taken when handling mercury and mercury contain-
instrument at a specified temperature on supported gold traps.
ing products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet
(SDS) for additional information. Users should be aware that
4. Significance and Use
selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your
4.1 This test method can be used to determine the total
state or country may be prohibited by law.
mercury concentration of a natural gas stream down to 0.001
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3
µg/m . It can be used to assess compliance with environmental
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
regulations, predict possible damage to gas plant equipment,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and monitor the efficiency of mercury removal beds.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Where L and L are the specimen lengths at temperatures T
1 2 1
bility of regulatory limitations prior to its use.
and T , respectively. α is, therefore, obtained by dividing the
2
linear expansion per unit length by the change in temperature.
2. Referenced Documents
2
4.2 The preferred sampling method for mercury collection
2.1 ASTM Standards:
is on supported gold sorbent, which allows the element to be
D5954Test Method for Mercury Sampling and Measure-
trapped and extracted from the interfering matrix of the gas.
ment in Natural Gas by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
Thermal desorption of mercury is performed by raising the
temperature of the trap by means of a nichrome wire coiled
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD03onGaseous
around it.
Fuels and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D03.05 on Determination of
Special Constituents of Gaseous Fuels.
4.3 The preferred sampling method for mercury collection
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2014. Published February 2014. Originally
is on supported gold sorbent, which allows the element to be
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D6350-98(2003),
trapped and extracted from the interfering matrix of the gas.
which was withdrawn in July 2012 and reinstated February 2014. DOI: 10.1520/
D6350-14.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican 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
1

---------
...