ASTM D7662-15(2020)

Standard Test Method for Carbon Content in Carbon Black Feedstock Oils

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Measuring the total carbon content of feedstock oil is often a necessary component in calculations for carbon dioxide emissions, estimating yield of a process, or assessing product quality.  
4.2 The carbon black industry measures carbon content of feedstock oils along with carbon content of carbon black products per Test Method D7633 for Carbon Black-Carbon Content in calculations to determine carbon dioxide emissions for compliance with governmental greenhouse-gas-reporting requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the instrumental determination of carbon content in samples of carbon black feedstock oils. Values obtained represent the total carbon content.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to carbon black feedstock oils derived from petroleum, coal, and other sources which include fuel oils, residues, tars, pitches, reclaimed oils, and similar materials that are normally handled as liquids. This test method is applicable to products that typically contain 75 to 94 mass % carbon.  
1.3 The results of these tests can be expressed as mass % carbon.  
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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-Oct-2020
• ICS: 75.080 - Petroleum products in general
• Technical Committee: D24 - Carbon Black
• Drafting Committee: D24.66 - Environment, Health, and Safety

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D7633-13 - Standard Test Method for Carbon Black—Carbon Content
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM D4057-06(2011) - Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D7633-10b - Standard Test Method for Carbon Black(em dash)Carbon Content
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM D7633-10a - Standard Test Method for Carbon Black<char: emdash>CARBON CONTENT
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2010
• Refers: ASTM D7633-10 - Standard Test Method for Carbon Black<char: emdash>CARBON CONTENT
• Effective Date: 15-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM D4057-95(2000) - Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000

Overview

ASTM D7662-15(2020), titled "Standard Test Method for Carbon Content in Carbon Black Feedstock Oils," is a key international standard developed by ASTM International. This test method specifies an instrumental approach for determining the total carbon content in carbon black feedstock oils, essential for the carbon black industry and related sectors. The results, expressed as mass percent carbon, help with calculations for carbon dioxide emissions, process yield estimates, and product quality control.

This standard is applicable to feedstock oils derived from petroleum, coal, and similar sources, including fuel oils, tars, pitches, reclaimed oils, and residues. It is valid for samples typically containing between 75% and 94% carbon by mass, supporting compliance with regulatory and environmental requirements, especially those related to greenhouse gas reporting.

Key Topics

• Instrumental Determination: The method utilizes high-temperature combustion, in which a weighed sample of feedstock oil is oxidized in a tube furnace at 1350°C. Carbon in the oil is fully converted to carbon dioxide, which is measured using an infrared (IR) absorption detector.
• Sample Preparation and Handling: The standard covers proper sampling practices as referenced in ASTM D4057 and D4177. Viscous samples are pre-warmed and homogenized prior to analysis.
• Calibration and Precision: The carbon analyzer must be calibrated with reference standards similar in composition to feedstock oils. Repeatability and reproducibility are rigorously addressed, ensuring reliable carbon content determination.
• Safety and Compliance: The standard emphasizes the responsibility to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and to consider regulatory limitations before use.
• Measurement Units: All results are reported using SI units for international consistency and comparability.

Applications

ASTM D7662 is widely used in:

• Carbon Black Manufacturing: Enables calculation of carbon dioxide emissions by measuring carbon content in feedstock oils, supporting regulatory compliance and greenhouse-gas reporting.
• Process Optimization: Helps estimate process yields by providing accurate measurements of carbon input, essential for operational efficiency.
• Product Quality Control: Supports the assessment of feedstock oil quality, ensuring consistency in raw materials used for carbon black production.
• Environmental Reporting: Facilitates documentation and verification of carbon flows for government-mandated reporting schemes and sustainability initiatives.
• Broader Industrial Use: Can be applied to a range of hydrocarbon oils and related materials typically handled in liquid form in industries such as petrochemicals, energy, and waste oil reclamation.

Related Standards

The execution of ASTM D7662 often references or aligns with the following ASTM standards and practices:

• ASTM D4057: Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• ASTM D4177: Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
• ASTM D4483: Practice for Evaluating Precision for Test Method Standards in the Rubber and Carbon Black Manufacturing Industries
• ASTM D7633: Test Method for Carbon Black-Carbon Content

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM D7662-15(2020) ensures accurate and repeatable determination of carbon content in carbon black feedstock oils. This supports industries in meeting stringent regulatory requirements, optimizing operational processes, maintaining product quality, and fulfilling environmental reporting obligations. Its adoption also encourages best practices in laboratory calibration, safety procedures, and result documentation, reinforcing confidence in reported data within both commercial and regulatory frameworks.

Keywords: ASTM D7662, carbon content determination, carbon black feedstock oil, combustion analysis, greenhouse gas reporting, process yield, product quality, petroleum sampling, carbon black industry, international standard.

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: D7662 − 15 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Carbon Content in Carbon Black Feedstock Oils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7662; 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 D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
Petroleum Products
1.1 This test method covers the instrumental determination
D4483 Practice for Evaluating Precision for Test Method
of carbon content in samples of carbon black feedstock oils.
Standards in the Rubber and Carbon Black Manufacturing
Values obtained represent the total carbon content.
Industries
1.2 This test method is applicable to carbon black feedstock
D7633 Test Method for Carbon Black—Carbon Content
oils derived from petroleum, coal, and other sources which
include fuel oils, residues, tars, pitches, reclaimed oils, and
3. Summary of Test Method
similar materials that are normally handled as liquids. This test
3.1 In this test method, a sample of feedstock oil is weighed
method is applicable to products that typically contain 75 to 94
in a combustion boat containing a tungsten oxide based
mass % carbon.
accelerator and the carbon content is determined by placing the
1.3 The results of these tests can be expressed as mass %
boat in a tube furnace at 1350°C in an air- or oxygen-enriched
carbon.
atmosphere resulting in complete combustion. Carbon in the
sample is completely oxidized to carbon dioxide. Moisture and
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
particulates are removed from the gas stream by traps filled
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
with anhydrous magnesium perchlorate.The gas stream is then
standard.
passed through a cell in which carbon dioxide concentration is
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
measured by an infrared (IR) absorption detector at a precise
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
wavelength in the IR spectrum.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 This test method is for use with commercially available
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
carbon analyzers equipped to carry out the combustion and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
measurement operations automatically.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.3 The carbon analyzer shall be calibrated using an appro-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
priate calibration standard (see 6.5).
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.4 The instrument may be configured to analyze more than
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
one element such as a carbon-sulfur analyzer. In this case, the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
analyzer has individual detectors for each element that are
2. Referenced Documents arranged in series.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Significance and Use
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
4.1 Measuring the total carbon content of feedstock oil is
Petroleum Products
often a necessary component in calculations for carbon dioxide
1 emissions, estimating yield of a process, or assessing product
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D24 on Carbon
quality.
Black and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D24.66 on Environment,
Health, and Safety.
4.2 The carbon black industry measures carbon content of
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2020. Published December 2020. Originally
feedstock oils along with carbon content of carbon black
approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D7662 – 15. DOI:
10.1520/D7662-15R20.
products per Test Method D7633 for Carbon Black-Carbon
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Content in calculations to determine carbon dioxide emissions
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
for compliance with governmental greenhouse-gas-reporting
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. requirements.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7662 − 15 (2020)
5. Apparatus 8. Preparation of Apparatus
5.1 Thereareanumberofcommercialinstrumentsavailable 8.1 Assemble the apparatus according to the manufacturer’s
that are designed to measure carbon content in organic mate- instructions.
rials including carbon and carbon-sulfur analyzers. This test
8.2 Stabilize the furnace temperature at 1350 6 15°C.
method makes no specifications regarding system designs.
8.3 Makeaminimumoftwodeterminationstoconditionthe
5.2 Functionally,however,thefollowingarespecifiedforall
equipment or follow the manufacturer’s recommendation to
instruments:
condition equipment before calibrating the instrument.
5.2.1 An analytical balance, or equivalent, that is capable of
9. Calibration
a weighing sensitivity of 0.1 mg or better resolution.
5.2.2 The combustion tube and boat are made of a suitable
9.1 Calibrate the instrument per the manufacturer’s recom-
material such as mullite, porcelain, or zircon.
mendation using appropriate carbon calibration standards.
5.2.3 The sample is absorbed onto tungsten oxide based
9.2 Adjustment of Response of Measurement System—
accelerator to control the sample combustion rate.
Weigh approximately 0.1 g of calibration standard or use the
5.2.4 The sample is combusted at a temperature of 1350°C
recommended mass per manufacturer.Analyze the sample (see
in an air- or oxygen-enriched atmosphere.
Section 10). Repeat this procedure. Adjust the instrument as
5.2.5 The combustion gas is passed through an absorbent
recommended by the manufacturer until the absence of drift is
(anhydrous magnesium perchlorate) to remove water vapor.
indicated. Insure the minimum analysis time is sufficient for
5.2.6 The detection system measures carbon dioxide using
complete combustion of the sample.
an IR absorption detector at a wavelength suitable for linear
9.3 Calibration Procedure—Follow the calibration proce-
responses with respect to the concentration over the full range
dure recommended by the manufacturer. Confirm the calibra-
of possible concentrations.
tion by analyzing a reference material of known carbon
6. Reagents
concentration. Reference standards should be similar to feed-
stock oils with carbon content in the range of approximately 75
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent-grade chemicals shall be
to 94 %.The measured value should be within allowable limits
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
of the known value. If not, repeat the procedure. If acceptable
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit-
resultsarenotobtained,refertothemanufacturer’sinstructions
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society
for calibration.
where such specifications are available. Other grades may be
used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of
10. Procedure
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the
10.1 Stabilize and verify calibration of the analyzer (see 8.1
accuracy of the determination.
– 8.3 and 9.1 – 9.3).
6.2 Magnesium Perchlorate.
10.2 Confirm the furnace temperature is 1350 6 15°C.
6.3 Oxygen, high purity, 99.9 %.
10.3 Weigh
...