ASTM D3803-91(2022)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Nuclear-Grade Activated Carbon
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, 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
Relations
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: D3803 − 91 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
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 1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This test method is a very stringent procedure for
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
establishing the capability of new and used activated carbon to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
remove radio-labeled methyl iodide from air and gas streams.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Thesingletestmethoddescribedisforapplicationtobothnew
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and used carbons, and should give test results comparable to
those obtained from similar tests required and performed
2. Referenced Documents
throughout the world. The conditions employed were selected
2.1 ASTM Standards:
to approximate operating or accident conditions of a nuclear
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
reactor which would severely reduce the performance of
D2652Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
activatedcarbons.Increasingthetemperatureatwhichthistest
D2854Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated
is performed generally increases the removal efficiency of the
Carbon
carbon by increasing the rate of chemical and physical absorp-
E300Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
tion and isotopic exchange, that is, increasing the kinetics of
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
the radioiodine removal mechanisms. Decreasing the relative
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
humidityofthetestgenerallyincreasestheefficiencyofmethyl
2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
iodideremovalbyactivatedcarbon.Thewatervaporcompetes
CFR Title 49,Section 173.34, “Qualification, Maintenance,
with the methyl iodide for adsorption sites on the carbon, and
and Use of Cylinders’’
as the amount of water vapor decreases with lower specified
CFR Title 49,Part 178, Subpart C, “Specifications for
relative humidities, the easier it is for the methyl iodide to be
Cylinders’’
adsorbed.Therefore, this test method is a very stringent test of
2.3 Military Standards:
nuclear-grade activated carbon because of the low temperature
MIL-F-51068D Filter, Particulate High Efficiency, Fire
and high relative humidity specified. This test method is
Resistant
recommended for the qualification of new carbons and the
MIL-F-51079A Filter, Medium Fire Resistant, High Effi-
quantification of the degradation of used carbons.
ciency
1.1.1 Guidance for testing new and used carbons using
MIL-STD-45662 Calibration Systems Requirements
conditions different from this test method is offered in Annex
2.4 Other Standards:
A1.
ANSI/ASME N45.2.6 Qualifications of Inspection,
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Examination, and Testing Personnel for Nuclear Power
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 5
Plants
standard.
3. Terminology
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Published by the General Service Administration, 18th and “F”’ St., N. W.,
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on Washington, DC 20405.
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 Sept. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally dodssp.daps.dla.mil.
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3803–91 (2014). Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
DOI: 10.1520/D3803-91R22. 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
D3803 − 91 (2022)
3.1.1 counter effıciency (CE)—the fraction of the actual 6.1.1 Riffle Sampler, in accordance with 32.5.2 of Practice
number of disintegrations of a radioactive sample that is E300.
recorded by a nuclear counter. 6.1.2 Feed Funnel and Vibrator, in accordance with the
Procedure Section of Test Method D2854.
3.1.2 effıciency (E)—the percentage of the contaminant
removed from a gas stream by an adsorption bed; expressed
6.2 Sample and Backup Bed Assemblies:
mathematically as E = 100 − P, where E and P are given in
6.2.1 The sample bed canister and backup bed canisters
percent.
must each be either a single unit capable of containing carbon
to a depth of 50mm 6 1 mm, or they may be assembled from
3.1.3 penetration (P)—the percentage of the contaminant
twoseparateunitseachcapableofcontainingcarbontoadepth
(CH I) which passes through the equilibrated test bed of
of25mm.Twobackupcanisters,eachof50mm 61mmtotal
standard depth, and is collected on the backup beds during the
depth, are required. Canisters may be reused after being
feed and elution periods under specified conditions.
decontaminated to remove residual radioactivity. An accept-
3.1.4 relative humidity (RH)—for the purpose of this test
able bed construction is shown in Fig. 1 with critical dimen-
method, relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the partial
sions noted.
pressure of water in the gas to the saturation vapor pressure of
6.2.2 Clamping assemblies are needed for sample and
water at the gas temperature and pressure. At temperatures
backup beds. The only requirements for these assemblies are
below 100°C, this is the normal definition and relative
that they provide a smooth sealing face, uniform alignment of
humidity can range from 0% to 100%.
3.2 Definitions—for additional terms relating to this
standard, see Terminology D2652.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Both new and used carbons are first exposed to humid
air (pressure, approximately 1 atm; temperature, 30.0°C;
relative humidity, 95%) for a pre-equilibration period of 16 h.
Duringthispre-equilibrationperiod,thetestsystemmayberun
unattended with the required parameter monitoring and ad-
equate control devices. Following pre-equilibration, the air
flow is continued for a two-hour equilibration period, during
which the acceptable variability of all parameters is reduced.
The test system must be closely monitored and controlled
during the final four hours of the test. Qualification of
personnel to perform this testing must meet or exceed ANSI/
ASMEN45.2.6—1978,LevelII,whichrequiresacombination
of education and actual test system operation experience.
During the challenge or feed period, radio-labeled methyl
iodideatamassconcentrationof1.75mg/m ofhumidairflow
is passed through the beds for a period of 60 min. Following
the feed period, humid air flow without test adsorbate is
continued at the same conditions for a 60-min elution period.
Throughout the entire test, the effluent from the sample bed
passes through two backup beds containing carbon having a
known high efficiency for methyl iodide.The two backup beds
trap essentially all the radio-labeled methyl iodide that passes
the test bed and provide a differential indication of their
efficiency.At the end of the elution period, the gamma activity
of I in the test and backup beds is measured by a gamma
counter,andthepercentofadsorbatepenetratingthetestbedis
determined.
5. Significance and Use
* Standard canister dimension may be used in multiples if desired.
Single test canisters of full depth may be used.
5.1 The results of this test method give a conservative
1—Bed holder
2—Adsorption media
estimate of the performance of nuclear-grade activated carbon
3—O-ring gland
used in all nuclear power plant HVAC systems for the removal
4—Perforated screen (both ends)
of radioiodine.
5—Retaining snap ring (both ends)
6—Baffle (both ends)
7—Holes for assembly tie-rods (four)
6. Apparatus
6.1 Sample Preparation Apparatus: FIG. 1 Adsorption Media Test Bed Holder (Canister)
D3803 − 91 (2022)
TABLE 1 Parameter Specifications
bedcanisters,andsufficientclampingforcesothattheleaktest
in10.2canbemet.Asuggesteddesignforclampingassemblies
NOTE 1—Temperature, relative humidity, pressure, and gas velocity are
is shown in Fig. 2.
to remain constant within the specified maximum variations throughout
the entire test, that is, for each test period. Parameter excursions outside
6.3 A schematic of a generalized test system is shown in
the limits specified in this table will invalidate the test results. If results
Fig. 3. This system is designed to operate at approximately
based on a test containing such variations must be reported, then these
30°C and 95% relative humidity, with a gas flow of 24.7 variations must be noted in the comments section of the external report
form and flagged in the parameter monitoring portion of the internal
L/min at atmospheric pressure. If test conditions which differ
report.
Equilibration,
Pre-Equilibration
Parameter Challenge, and Elu-
(First 16 h)
tion (Final 4 h)
Temperature, °C 30.0 ± 0.4 30.0 ± 0.2
Range 29.6 to 30.4 29.8 to 30.2
Relative humidity, % 91.0 to 96.0 93.0 to 96.0
Flow, m/min 12.2 ± 0.6 12.2 ± 0.3
Face velocity, m/min 11.6 to 12.8 11.9 to 12.5
Absolute pressure, kPa 101 ± 5 101 ± 5
Bed diameter and depth, mm 50 ± 1 50 ± 1
Adsorbate concentration, mg/m . 1.75 ± 0.25
Test durations:
Pre-equilibration, h 16.0 ± 0.1 .
Equilibration, min . 120 ± 1
Challenge, min . 60 ± 1
Elution, min . 60 ± 1
significantlyfromthesearerequired,thenseparatecalibrations
or instrumentation, or both, may be required.
6.4 Saturator System—This system may be a controlled
temperaturesaturator(bubbler)orspraychamber(environmen-
tal condition generator), or any other device of sufficient
stabilityandcapacitytosupplytherequiredmassflowofwater
vapor at test conditions.
6.5 FlowGenerator—Thissystemmaybeanaircompressor
upstream of the test system or a vacuum pump downstream of
the test system. A dryer, carbon adsorber, and HEPA (high-
efficiencyparticulateair)filterarerequiredforeithersystemto
condition the inlet air. Flow measurement and control should
be accurate and stable to within 62% of specified flow rate.
System capacity shall meet or exceed the volumetric flow
requirements as calculated from the specified face velocity. A
surge tank and pressure control valve should be employed in
either type of system to ensure stable and accurate flow
measurement and control. For safety, it is important that the
pressure system be equipped with a pressure relief valve. It is
important that the pipe diameter and inlet air filters for a
vacuum system be designed and maintained to minimize the
pressuredropfromambienttoensurethatthespecificationsfor
absolute pressure at the test bed are met (see Table 1).
6.6 Moisture Separator—A moisture separator should be
used to protect the HEPAfilter by removing large quantities of
entrained particulate water, if present, after humidification. A
HEPA filter (or equivalent) is required to function as a final
1—Canister (four shown)
droplet trap to remove small amounts of fine particulate water
2—Inlet cap
3—Outlet cap from the carrier gas ahead of the test bed.
4—Thermocouple
6.7 Adsorbate Supply—This system shall consist of a stain-
5—Thermocouple fitting
6—Static tap
lesssteelcylinder,pressuregage,pressureregulator,andaflow
7—Tie bar (four)
regulator capable of providing a steady flow of the challenge
8—O-ring seals
gas,thatis,radio-labeledmethyliodideindrynitrogen,forthe
FIG. 2 Canister Assembly (Test or Backup Beds) duration of the test feed period. The point of injection into the
D3803 − 91 (2022)
FIG. 3 Schematic of Activated Carbon Test System
main gas flow of the system must be such that the cross- interpretation and application to actual test conditions. These
sectionaldistributionoftheadsorbateatthefaceofthetestbed factors must be carefully predetermined and documented. No
canbeensuredtobehomogeneous.Amixingchamber,baffles, flow measuring device should be located directly downstream
glass beads, etc. should be used to achieve adequate mixing. ofthetestbedsuchthatitissubjecttovariabletemperatureand
humidityconditionsduringatestasaresultofwaterabsorption
6.8 ConstantTemperatureCabinet—Anenclosureandasso-
by the carbon.
ciatedthermoregulatorysystemmustbeusedthatiscapableof
maintaining the inlet gas stream temperature from the point of
6.10 Interconnecting Tubing—Tubing must be non-reactive
humiditycontroltothetestbed,andthesurfacetemperatureof
with methyl iodide, such as stainless steel, glass, etc., with a
allcarboncanistersat30.0°C 60.2°C,exceptduringthefirst 3
minimum of ⁄8-in. outside diameter, and kept as short as
several hours of pre-equilibration, during which the adsorption
possible to reduce the system pressure drop.
of water by the carbons may increase these temperatures
6.11 Temperature Measurement Devices—Platinum resis-
slightly. All tubing downstream of the moisture separator, the
tance thermometers (RTDs) with certified accuracy and mea-
carbon bed canisters and holders, temperature and pressure
surement system calibration to 60.2°C are required for the
ports and measurement devices upstream and downstream of
measurement of test bed inlet air temperature and dew point.
the test bed, and an upstream port and tubing to the dew point
The placement of the air temperature RTD must be such that it
sensor all must be included within the temperature controlled
isnotsubjecttoradiativeheatingfromthetestbed.Itiscritical
enclosure. In addition, it is highly recommended that a bypass
to the exact measurement of relative humidity that the chilled
line be included around the sample bed assembly to avoid
mirror RTD and the inlet air temperature RTD
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.