ASTM D5228-16(2023)

Standard Test Method for Determination of Butane Working Capacity of Activated Carbon

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The BWC, as determined by this test method, is a measure of the ability of an activated carbon to adsorb and desorb butane from dry air under specified conditions. It is useful for quality control and evaluation of granular activated carbons that are used in applications where the adsorption of butane and desorption with dry air are of interest. The BWC can also provide a relative measure of the effectiveness of the tested activated carbons on other adsorbates.  
5.2 The butane activity and retentivity can also be determined under the conditions of the test. The butane activity is an indication of the micropore volume of the activated carbon sample. The butane retentivity is an indication of the pore structure of the activated carbon sample.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the butane working capacity (BWC) of new granular activated carbon. The BWC is defined as the difference between the butane adsorbed at saturation and the butane retained per unit volume of carbon after a specified purge. The test method also produces a butane activity value that is defined as the total amount of butane adsorbed on the carbon sample and is expressed as a mass of butane per unit weight or volume of carbon.  
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. For a specific hazard statement, see 7.1.  
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: 30-Nov-2023
• ICS: 71.040.30 - Chemical reagents
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.04 - Gas Phase Evaluation Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5228-16 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Butane Working Capacity of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023

Overview

ASTM D5228-16(2023), Standard Test Method for Determination of Butane Working Capacity of Activated Carbon, is an international standard developed by ASTM International. This test method provides a procedure for determining the butane working capacity (BWC) of new granular activated carbon. BWC quantifies the ability of activated carbon to adsorb butane from dry air at saturation and then desorb it under specific purging conditions. The test also delivers values for butane activity and retentivity, offering insight into the carbon's micropore volume and pore structure.

Understanding BWC is vital for quality control in manufacturing and evaluating activated carbon-particularly for industries that require precise control over volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or fuel vapor emissions. Adherence to ASTM D5228 helps organizations ensure performance consistency, regulatory compliance, and product safety.

Key Topics

• Butane Working Capacity (BWC): Defined as the difference between the amount of butane adsorbed at saturation and the residual butane after a controlled purge, per unit volume of carbon.
• Butane Activity: Measurement of the total butane adsorbed by the carbon sample; a proxy for assessing micropore volume.
• Butane Retentivity: Refers to the amount of butane remaining after purging, indicating the nature of the pore structure.
• Test Method Outline: Involves saturating a known mass and volume of activated carbon with butane vapor, followed by a dry air purge, and measuring the changes in mass under controlled temperature and flow conditions. All measurements are standardized in SI units.
• Quality Assurance: The method serves as a reliable tool for the evaluation and comparison of different granular activated carbon products, supporting robust quality control practices.
• Safety Emphasis: Users are advised to follow proper safety, health, and environmental practices and consider regulatory requirements, as the method involves working with flammable gases.

Applications

The ASTM D5228-16(2023) standard is widely applicable in sectors that use granular activated carbon for gas-phase adsorption, including:

• Environmental Control: Assessing and optimizing activated carbon filters used for VOC capture, air purification, and emissions control.
• Automotive Industry: Evaluating carbon canisters designed to trap fuel vapors (including butane) in vehicle emission systems.
• Chemical Manufacturing: Ensuring adsorbent performance in gas purification and process gas treatment.
• Quality Control Laboratories: Routine testing for batch-to-batch consistency and benchmarking different grades of activated carbon.

By using this standard, stakeholders can ensure their activated carbon products or systems meet stringent adsorption and desorption requirements relevant to industry and regulatory needs.

Related Standards

Several ASTM standards complement or support ASTM D5228-16(2023), enhancing overall analytical accuracy and operational consistency:

• ASTM D2652: Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• ASTM D2854: Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated Carbon
• ASTM D2867: Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
• ASTM D3195: Practice for Rotameter Calibration
• ASTM E177: Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• ASTM E300: Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
• ASTM E691: Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

Organizations leveraging ASTM D5228 often reference these related standards to ensure consistent sampling, measurement accuracy, and method validation across processes involving activated carbon.

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Keywords: ASTM D5228-16(2023), butane working capacity, activated carbon, standard test method, ASTM International, gas-phase adsorption, quality control, air purification, butane adsorption, SI units, regulatory compliance.

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: D5228 − 16 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Butane Working Capacity of Activated
Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5228; 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 D3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the butane
ASTM Test Methods
working capacity (BWC) of new granular activated carbon.
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
The BWC is defined as the difference between the butane
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
adsorbed at saturation and the butane retained per unit volume
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
of carbon after a specified purge. The test method also
produces a butane activity value that is defined as the total
3. Terminology
amount of butane adsorbed on the carbon sample and is
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
expressed as a mass of butane per unit weight or volume of
method, refer to Terminology D2652.
carbon.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 4.1 An activated carbon bed of known volume and mass is
standard. saturated with butane vapor. The mass adsorbed at saturation is
noted. The carbon bed is then purged under prescribed condi-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tions with dry hydrocarbon free air. The loss of mass is the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
BWC and is expressed as mass of butane per unit volume of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
carbon.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
For a specific hazard statement, see 7.1.
5.1 The BWC, as determined by this test method, is a
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
measure of the ability of an activated carbon to adsorb and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
desorb butane from dry air under specified conditions. It is
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
useful for quality control and evaluation of granular activated
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
carbons that are used in applications where the adsorption of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
butane and desorption with dry air are of interest. The BWC
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
can also provide a relative measure of the effectiveness of the
tested activated carbons on other adsorbates.
2. Referenced Documents
2 5.2 The butane activity and retentivity can also be deter-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mined under the conditions of the test. The butane activity is an
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
indication of the micropore volume of the activated carbon
D2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated
sample. The butane retentivity is an indication of the pore
Carbon
structure of the activated carbon sample.
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
6. Apparatus
6.1 Water Bath, capable of maintaining a temperature of
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 25 °C 6 0.2 °C and of sufficient depth so the entire carbon bed
Phase Evaluation Tests.
in the sample tube is immersed in the water. A 6 mm OD
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. Originally
copper tube with an immersed length of 1.9 m (Fig. 1) provides
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D5228 – 16. DOI:
adequate heat transfer for gas temperature control.
10.1520/D5228-16R23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.2 Sample Tube, as shown in Fig. 2. The glass plate with
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
holes is preferred to a fritted disk to support the carbon, since
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. fritted disks can vary widely in pressure drop.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5228 − 16 (2023)
6.4 Balance, capable of weighing to within 60.01 g.
6.5 Fill Device—The vibration feed device used in Test
Method D2854, Figs. 1 through 4, is preferred.
6.6 Buret, Class A, 25 mL capacity.
6.7 Apparatus Assembly shown in Fig. 1.
7. Reagents
7.1 n-Butane, C. P. Grade. (Warning—Butane is a flam-
mable gas with a flash point of −138 °C and a boiling point of
0.5 °C. Its specific gravity is 2.046 relative to air. Butane may
be narcotic in high concentrations and is considered a simple
asphyxiant. If the entire apparatus is not set up in a fume hood,
provision must be made to vent the gas coming from the
discharge stem of the sample tube.)
7.2 Dry Air, free of organics, with a dew point no higher
than −32 °C.
8. Sampling
8.1 For guidance in sampling granular activated carbon,
refer to Practice E300.
9. Calibration of a Sample Tube
FIG. 1 Butane Working Capacity Apparatus Schematic
9.1 Clean and dry the sample tube to prevent any water
droplets from adhering to the inner surface of the tube.
9.2 Using distilled water, carefully fill the sample tube
through the narrow side stem to prevent the introduction of any
air bubbles.
9.2.1 Hold the sample tube upright while slowly introducing
the distilled water. Air bubbles have a tendency to form directly
below the retainer plate of the tube.
9.3 Clamp the filled sample tube in an upright position to a
ring stand and stopper the narrow side stem.
9.4 Using a pipet, carefully remove the water from the
sample tube to the top of the retainer plate. Caution must be
taken so no water is removed from below the retainer plate
creating air bubbles that would result in a spurious calibration
of the sample tube. If this occurs, the tube must be refilled by
repeating 9.1 through 9.3.
9.5 Using the buret, fill the sample tube with 16.7 mL 6
0.05 mL of water, then etch the tube at the level of the
meniscus.
1– Ground glass stopper, hollow, medium length, 14/20, from Kontes Catalog 10. Maintenance of Bath Water
No. K-89100 Schwartz adsorption tube, or equivalent.
10.1 In order to prevent mold formation, the bath water
2– 5 mm rod, brace.
3– 17 mm O.D. × 1.2 mm standard wall tubing.
should be changed periodically.
4– Coor’s perforated porcelain disk or extra coarse fritted disk, or equivalent.
5– 10 mm O.D. × 1.0 mm standard wall tubing.
11. Procedure
6– Right angle stopcock, Kontes Catalog No. K-84700, size 4, 10 mm O.D.
stem, with Kontes Catalog No. K-89340 size B serrated hose connector, or
11.1 Dry an adequate sample as prescribed in Test Methods
equivalent.
D2867, Section 4.
7– Dimension corresponding to a volume of 16.7 mL above the retainer plate.
FIG. 2 Butane Working Capacit
...