ASTM D3803-91(2014)

Standard Test Method for Nuclear-Grade Activated Carbon

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The results of this test method give a conservative estimate of the performance of nuclear-grade activated carbon used in all nuclear power plant HVAC systems for the removal of radioiodine.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is a very stringent procedure for establishing the capability of new and used activated carbon to remove radio-labeled methyl iodide from air and gas streams. The single test method described is for application to both new and used carbons, and should give test results comparable to those obtained from similar tests required and performed throughout the world. The conditions employed were selected to approximate operating or accident conditions of a nuclear reactor which would severely reduce the performance of activated carbons. Increasing the temperature at which this test is performed generally increases the removal efficiency of the carbon by increasing the rate of chemical and physical absorption and isotopic exchange, that is, increasing the kinetics of the radioiodine removal mechanisms. Decreasing the relative humidity of the test generally increases the efficiency of methyl iodide removal by activated carbon. The water vapor competes with the methyl iodide for adsorption sites on the carbon, and as the amount of water vapor decreases with lower specified relative humidities, the easier it is for the methyl iodide to be adsorbed. Therefore, this test method is a very stringent test of nuclear-grade activated carbon because of the low temperature and high relative humidity specified. This test method is recommended for the qualification of new carbons and the quantification of the degradation of used carbons.  
1.1.1 Guidance for testing new and used carbons using conditions different from this test method is offered in Annex A1.  
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 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-Jun-2014
• ICS: 71.040.30 - Chemical reagents
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.04 - Gas Phase Evaluation Tests

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: D3803 − 91 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Test Method for
1
Nuclear-Grade Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3803; 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.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method is a very stringent procedure for 2.1 ASTM Standards:
establishing the capability of new and used activated carbon to D1193Specification for Reagent Water
D2652Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
remove radio-labeled methyl iodide from air and gas streams.
Thesingletestmethoddescribedisforapplicationtobothnew D2854Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated
Carbon
and used carbons, and should give test results comparable to
those obtained from similar tests required and performed E300Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
throughout the world. The conditions employed were selected
to approximate operating or accident conditions of a nuclear Determine the Precision of a Test Method
2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
reactor which would severely reduce the performance of
activatedcarbons.Increasingthetemperatureatwhichthistest CFR Title 49,Section 173.34, “Qualification, Maintenance,
3
is performed generally increases the removal efficiency of the and Use of Cylinders’’
carbon by increasing the rate of chemical and physical absorp- CFR Title 49,Part 178, Subpart C, “Specifications for
3
tion and isotopic exchange, that is, increasing the kinetics of Cylinders’’
the radioiodine removal mechanisms. Decreasing the relative 2.3 Military Standards:
humidityofthetestgenerallyincreasestheefficiencyofmethyl MIL-F-51068D Filter, Particulate High Efficiency, Fire
4
iodideremovalbyactivatedcarbon.Thewatervaporcompetes Resistant
with the methyl iodide for adsorption sites on the carbon, and MIL-F-51079A Filter, Medium Fire Resistant, High Effi-
4
as the amount of water vapor decreases with lower specified ciency
4
relative humidities, the easier it is for the methyl iodide to be MIL-STD-45662 Calibration Systems Requirements
adsorbed.Therefore, this test method is a very stringent test of 2.4 Other Standards:
nuclear-grade activated carbon because of the low temperature ANSI/ASME N45.2.6 Qualifications of Inspection,
Examination, and Testing Personnel for Nuclear Power
and high relative humidity specified. This test method is
5
recommended for the qualification of new carbons and the Plants
quantification of the degradation of used carbons.
3. Terminology
1.1.1 Guidance for testing new and used carbons using
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
conditions different from this test method is offered in Annex
3.1.1 counter effıciency (CE)—the fraction of the actual
A1.
number of disintegrations of a radioactive sample that is
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
recorded by a nuclear counter.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.2 effıciency (E)—the percentage of the contaminant
standard.
removed from a gas stream by an adsorption bed; expressed
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
mathematically as E = 100 − P, where E and P are given in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
percent.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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.
3
Published by the General Service Administration, 18th and “F”’ St., N. W.,
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on Washington, DC 20405.
4
Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
Phase Evaluation Tests. Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
Current edition approved July 1, 2014. Published September 2014. Originally dodssp.daps.dla.mil.
5
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D3803–91 (2009). Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
DOI: 10.1520/D3803-91R14. 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3803 − 9
...

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: D3803 − 91 (Reapproved 2009) D3803 − 91 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Test Method for
1
Nuclear-Grade Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3803; 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 test method is a very stringent procedure for establishing the capability of new and used activated carbon to remove
radio-labeled methyl iodide from air and gas streams. The single test method described is for application to both new and used
carbons, and should give test results comparable to those obtained from similar tests required and performed throughout the world.
The conditions employed were selected to approximate operating or accident conditions of a nuclear reactor which would severely
reduce the performance of activated carbons. Increasing the temperature at which this test is performed generally increases the
removal efficiency of the carbon by increasing the rate of chemical and physical absorption and isotopic exchange, that is,
increasing the kinetics of the radioiodine removal mechanisms. Decreasing the relative humidity of the test generally increases the
efficiency of methyl iodide removal by activated carbon. The water vapor competes with the methyl iodide for adsorption sites on
the carbon, and as the amount of water vapor decreases with lower specified relative humidities, the easier it is for the methyl
iodide to be adsorbed. Therefore, this test method is a very stringent test of nuclear-grade activated carbon because of the low
temperature and high relative humidity specified. This test method is recommended for the qualification of new carbons and the
quantification of the degradation of used carbons.
1.1.1 Guidance for testing new and used carbons using conditions different from this test method is offered in Annex A1.
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 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:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
D2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated Carbon
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
3
CFR Title 49, Section 173.34, “Qualification, Maintenance, and Use of Cylinders’’
3
CFR Title 49, Part 178, Subpart C, “Specifications for Cylinders’’
2.3 Military Standards:
4
MIL-F-51068D Filter, Particulate High Efficiency, Fire Resistant
4
MIL-F-51079A Filter, Medium Fire Resistant, High Efficiency
4
MIL-STD-45662 Calibration Systems Requirements
2.4 Other Standards:
5
ANSI/ASME N45.2.6 Qualifications of Inspection, Examination, and Testing Personnel for Nuclear Power Plants
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas Phase
Evaluation Tests.
Current edition approved April 1, 2009July 1, 2014. Published May 2009September 2014. Originally approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
D3803 – 91 (2004).(2009). DOI: 10.1520/D3803-91R09.10.1520/D3803-91R14.
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.
3
Published by the General Service Administration, 18th and “F”’ St., N. W., Washington, DC 20405.
4
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://dodssp.daps.dla.mil.
5
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
...