ASTM D5029-98(2020)

Standard Test Method for Water Solubles in Activated Carbon

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 In certain applications, the ash, color, conductivity, or pH of the finished activated carbon product may be influenced by the quantity of water solubles it contains. This water solubles test provides a relative indication of the quantity of soluble materials that may be extracted from various activated carbons.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the water-soluble content of (unused) granular and powdered activated carbons. Water solubles are materials that can be extracted by distilled water under reflux conditions and are expressed as a percentage of dry carbon weight.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 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: 31-May-2020
• ICS: 71.040.30 - Chemical reagents
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.02 - Liquid Phase Evaluation

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5029-98(2014) - Standard Test Method for Water Solubles in Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D3838-23 - Standard Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM D3838-05(2017) - Standard Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2017
• Refers: ASTM E177-14 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM E177-13 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM D2652-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D3838-05(2011) - Standard Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2011
• Refers: ASTM E177-10 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2010
• Refers: ASTM D2867-09 - Standard Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM E177-08 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM E177-06b - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM E177-06a - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM D2652-05a - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2005
• Refers: ASTM D2652-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005

Overview

ASTM D5029-98(2020) is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. This test method provides procedures for determining the water-soluble content in unused granular and powdered activated carbons. The purpose is to evaluate the quantity of water-soluble materials that can be extracted from activated carbon samples under specified conditions, expressing the result as a percentage of the dry carbon weight. Water solubles in activated carbon can impact key performance properties including ash content, color, conductivity, and pH, making this test method essential for applications that demand stringent material quality and consistency.

Key Topics

• Water Solubles Determination: The standard outlines how to extract water-soluble compounds from activated carbon using distilled water under reflux conditions. The extracted residue is dried, weighed, and calculated as a percentage of the original dry carbon sample.
• Sample Types: Applicable to both granular and powdered forms of unused activated carbon.
• Testing Protocols: The procedure requires controlled laboratory conditions and standardized apparatus, including high-precision balances, reflux apparatus, glass or porcelain evaporating dishes, and Type II reagent water.
• Interpretation of Results: The method provides a relative measure of water-soluble content, which is critical for evaluating and comparing material suitability for specific applications.
• Reporting Requirements: Includes comprehensive documentation of sample source, carbon type, supplier information, batch number, moisture content, water solubles content, test dates, and identities of responsible personnel.
• Precision and Bias: The method describes expected repeatability and reproducibility ranges to ensure the reliability of results across laboratories.

Applications

• Product Quality Control: Regular determination of water solubles in activated carbon supports manufacturers in maintaining consistent product quality, preventing unwanted variations in ash, color, conductivity, or pH.
• Material Selection: Engineers and quality assurance professionals use this test to compare different sources or grades of activated carbon for filtration, water treatment, air purification, and chemical processing applications.
• Regulatory Compliance: The standard meets international norms for laboratory testing, making it suitable for facilities aiming to comply with global trade or national regulatory requirements concerning activated carbon materials.
• Process Optimization: By identifying and quantifying water-soluble materials, operators can fine-tune carbon processing or activation procedures to minimize undesirable solubles, thus enhancing performance in sensitive processes such as beverage purification or electronics manufacturing.
• Supplier Qualification: Buyers and procurement teams rely on water solubles data to evaluate and qualify suppliers, ensuring raw materials meet stringent specification thresholds.

Related Standards

• ASTM D1193 – Specification for Reagent Water: Details the requirements for water purity used in chemical testing, ensuring consistency and accuracy in extractions.
• ASTM D2867 – Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon: Provides procedures for measuring moisture content, which is essential for calculating results on a dry basis.
• ASTM D3838 – Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon: Useful for additional characterization of water-extracted solutions.
• ASTM D2652 – Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon: Standardizes terms and definitions for clear communication in technical documentation.
• ASTM E177 – Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods: Provides guidelines for conducting and interpreting precision and reproducibility studies.
• ASTM E300 – Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals: Standardizes procedures for sampling, ensuring representative testing.

By adhering to ASTM D5029-98(2020), laboratories and manufacturers can confidently assess the water-soluble content in activated carbon, supporting high-quality outcomes across diverse industrial, environmental, and purification applications.

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: D5029 − 98 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Water Solubles in Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5029; 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 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the water- 4.1 A known weight of activated carbon is placed into a
soluble content of (unused) granular and powdered activated reflux apparatus with Type II reagent water (see Specification
carbons. Water solubles are materials that can be extracted by D1193). The mixture is refluxed for 15 min under specified
distilled water under reflux conditions and are expressed as a conditions. This extraction is performed using the method and
percentage of dry carbon weight. apparatus described in Test Method D3838. After extraction,
thecarbonisseparatedbyfiltrationandanaliquotofthefiltrate
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
is evaporated to dryness. Water solubles are determined by
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
weighing the dry residue and expressing the result as a
standard.
percentage of the dry carbon weight.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 In certain applications, the ash, color, conductivity, or
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
pH of the finished activated carbon product may be influenced
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
by the quantity of water solubles it contains. This water
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
solubles test provides a relative indication of the quantity of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
soluble materials that may be extracted from various activated
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
carbons.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
6. Apparatus and Materials
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
NOTE 1—All volumetric measuring equipment should meet or exceed
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
the requirements of National Institute of Standards and Technology
Circular 602, Testing of Glass Volumetric Apparatus, available from the
2. Referenced Documents
National Institute of Standards andTechnology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Volumetric glassware meeting these specifications is generally designated
as Class A.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
6.1 Flask, 250 mL with 24/40 ST (standard taper) neck.
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
6.2 Condenser, with 24/40 inner ST (standard taper) joint.
D3838 Test Method for pH of Activated Carbon
6.3 Buchner Funnel, 9 or 12.5 cm.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods
6.4 Filter Paper, Ashless, (;5 to 10 µm particle retention).
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
6.5 Glass or Porcelain Evaporating Dishes, 100 mL capac-
ity.
3. Terminology
6.6 Analytical Balance, precision 0.1 mg.
3.1 Definitions—Terms relating to this standard are defined
in Terminology D2652.
6.7 Drying Oven.
6.8 Desiccator.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on
6.9 Hot Plate.
ActivatedCarbonandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD28.02onLiquid
Phase Evaluation.
6.10 Pipet, 50 mL.
Current edition approved June 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D5029 – 98 (2014).
6.11 Indicating Desiccant.
DOI: 10.1520/D5029-98R20.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 6.12 Water, ASTM Type II or better, in accordance with
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Specification D1193, Type II.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 6.13 Thermometer, approximately 20 to 55 °C.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5029 − 98 (2020)
6.14 Steam Bath, optional. 8.12 If the residue is less than 10 mg, repeat the procedure.
Add the new aliquot during 8.9 to the evaporating dish
6.15 Beakers, 250 mL.
containing residue from the previous aliquot.
6.16 Graduated Cylinder, 100 mL.
8.13 Make two determinations on each carbon sample
...