ASTM D2867-23

Standard Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The moisture content of activated carbon is often required to define and express its properties in relation to the net weight of the carbon.  
4.2 The moisture content of activated carbon packed in typical shipping containers will usually increase during transportation and storage. Users of activated carbon in applications where low moisture content is important should be aware of this effect.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods provide three procedures for the determination of the moisture content of activated carbon. The procedures may also be used to dry samples required for other tests. The oven drying and moisture balance methods are used when water is the only volatile material present and is in significant quantities, and the activated carbon is not heat sensitive (some activated carbons can ignite spontaneously at temperatures as low as 150 °C). The xylene extraction method is used when a carbon is known or suspected to be heat sensitive or to contain miscible organic compounds instead of or in addition to water. The interferences posed by miscible inorganic compounds has not been determined. The oven drying method described in these test methods may be used as the reference for development of instrumental techniques for moisture determination in activated 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.  
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-Mar-2023
• ICS: 71.040.30 - Chemical reagents
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.04 - Gas Phase Evaluation Tests

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: D2867 − 23
Standard Test Methods for
1
Moisture in Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2867; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 These test methods provide three procedures for the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
determination of the moisture content of activated carbon. The
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
procedures may also be used to dry samples required for other
ASTM Test Methods
tests. The oven drying and moisture balance methods are used
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
when water is the only volatile material present and is in
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
significant quantities, and the activated carbon is not heat
sensitive (some activated carbons can ignite spontaneously at
3. Summary of Test Methods
temperatures as low as 150 °C). The xylene extraction method
3.1 Oven Drying Test Method—A sample of carbon is put
is used when a carbon is known or suspected to be heat
into a dry, closed capsule (of known weight) and weighed
sensitive or to contain miscible organic compounds instead of
accurately. The capsule is opened and placed with the lid in a
or in addition to water. The interferences posed by miscible
preheated oven. The sample is dried to constant weight then
inorganic compounds has not been determined. The oven
removed from the oven and with the capsule closed, cooled to
drying method described in these test methods may be used as
ambient temperature. The closed capsule is weighed again
the reference for development of instrumental techniques for
moisture determination in activated carbon. accurately. The weight loss is expressed as a percentage of the
weight of the original sample.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2 Xylene Extraction Test Method—A known, accurate
standard.
weight of carbon is put into a boiling flask. A known volume of
xylene is added to the flask and the flask is then connected to
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the a water trap. A hot plate is used to heat the xylene until boiling.
The temperature is controlled to allow steady reflux. Reflux
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- continues until no further water can be collected in the trap.
The weight of water collected is expressed as a percentage of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- the weight of the original sample.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.3 Moisture Balance Test Method—A sample of activated
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
carbon is placed in a moisture balance and the weight recorded
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
accurately. The sample is dried to constant weight. The weight
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
loss is expressed as a percentage of the weight of the original
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sample.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on
Activated Carbon and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas
2
Phase Evaluation Tests. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D2867 – 17. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D2867-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D2867 − 23
4. Significance and Use 10.2 Condenser—A 300 mm water-cooled condenser of the
Allihn type with ground-glass joints.
4.1 The moisture content of activated carbon is often
required to define and express its properties in relation to the 10.3 Drying Tube, containing a suitable desiccant with
net weight of the car
...

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: D2867 − 17 D2867 − 23
Standard Test Methods for
1
Moisture in Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2867; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods provide twothree procedures for the determination of the moisture content of activated carbon. The
procedures may also be used to dry samples required for other tests. The oven drying method is and moisture balance methods
are used when water is the only volatile material present and is in significant quantities, and the activated carbon is not heat
sensitive (some activated carbons can ignite spontaneously at temperatures as low as 150 °C). The xylene extraction method is used
when a carbon is known or suspected to be heat sensitive or to contain nonwater-misciblemiscible organic compounds instead of
or in addition to water. The interferences posed by miscible inorganic compounds has not been determined. The oven drying
method described in these test methods may be used as the reference for development of instrumental techniques for moisture
determination in activated 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 and healthsafety, 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Summary of Test Methods
3.1 Oven Drying Test Method—A sample of carbon is put into a dry, closed capsule (of known weight) and weighed accurately.
The capsule is opened and placed with the lid in a preheated oven. The sample is dried to constant weight then removed from the
oven and with the capsule closed, cooled to ambient temperature. The closed capsule is weighed again accurately. The weight loss
is expressed as a percentage of the weight of the original sample.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on Activated Carbon and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas Phase
Evaluation Tests.
Current edition approved July 1, 2017April 1, 2023. Published July 2017April 2023. Originally approved in 1970. Last previous edition approved in 20142017 as
D2867 – 09 (2014).D2867 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D2867-17.10.1520/D2867-23.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D2867 − 23
3.2 Xylene Extraction Test Method—A known, accurate weight of carbon is put into a boiling flask. A known volume of xylene
is added to the flask and the flask is then connected to a water trap. A hot plate is used to heat the xylene until boiling. The
temperature is controlled to allow steady reflux. Reflux continues until no further water can be collected in the trap. The weight
of water collected is expressed as a percentage of the weight of the original sample.
3.3 Moisture Balance Test Method—A sample of activated carbon is placed in a moisture balance and the weight recorded
accurately. The sample is dried to constant weight. The weight loss is expressed as a percentage of the weight of the original
sample.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The moisture content of activated carbon is often re
...