ASTM D5742-16(2023)

Standard Test Method for Determination of Butane Activity of Activated Carbon

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The butane activity as determined by this test method is a measure of the ability of an activated carbon to adsorb butane from dry air under specified conditions. It is useful for the quality control and evaluation of granular activated carbons. The butane activity is an indication of the micropore volume of the activated carbon sample. This activity number does not necessarily provide an absolute or relative measure of the effectiveness of the tested carbon for other adsorbates or at other conditions of operation.  
5.2 The butane activity test can be used as a non-ozone depleting substitute for the carbon tetrachloride activity test in Test Method D3467. Fig. 1 shows an experimental correlation of activity values obtained using the two adsorbates.  
FIG. 1 Butane Versus Carbon Tetrachloride Correlation  
Note 1: This test has not been designed for use with powdered activated carbon, but it has been used successfully when the flow rate or time are adjusted or the sample volume is decreased to keep the pressure drop at an acceptable value.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of the activation level of activated carbon. Butane activity (BA) is defined herein as the ratio (in percent) of the mass of butane adsorbed by an activated carbon sample to the mass of the sample, when the carbon is saturated with butane under the conditions listed in this 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 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 warning 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 D5742-16 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Butane Activity of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D3467-04(2020) - Standard Test Method for Carbon Tetrachloride Activity of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023

Overview

ASTM D5742-16(2023): Standard Test Method for Determination of Butane Activity of Activated Carbon specifies a test methodology to measure the butane activity of activated carbon. This test assesses the ability of granular activated carbon to adsorb butane vapor from dry air under controlled conditions, providing a useful indicator of the material’s micropore volume and adsorption capacity. The method is commonly applied for quality control and performance evaluation in the production and application of activated carbons, especially in scenarios where non-ozone depleting alternatives to traditional test chemicals are preferred.

Key Topics

• Butane Activity: Defined as the percentage ratio of the mass of butane adsorbed by an activated carbon sample to its own mass when saturated under specified conditions.
• Test Scope: The method is designed for granular activated carbon; while it can be adapted for powdered forms, specific adjustments are necessary.
• Quality Control: The test provides a practical means to evaluate the effectiveness and consistency of different activated carbon products for butane adsorption.
• Micropore Volume Indicator: The butane activity value gives an estimation of the micropore capacity of the carbon sample.
• Non-Ozone Depleting: Serves as a substitute for the carbon tetrachloride activity test (ASTM D3467), aligning with environmental safety objectives.
• Safety Considerations: Users are responsible for implementing appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices when performing the test, due to the flammability and potential hazards of butane gas.

Applications

ASTM D5742-16(2023) is widely used in industries and laboratories where activated carbon is produced, processed, or utilized for gas phase adsorption, odor control, and environmental protection. Typical applications include:

• Manufacturing and Quality Assurance: Ensuring batch-to-batch consistency and verifying product specifications for granular activated carbon.
• Air and Gas Filtration: Assessing the suitability of activated carbon for capturing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially hydrocarbons like butane, in industrial and environmental control systems.
• Catalyst Support Evaluation: Measuring pore volume to predict catalyst performance and efficiency.
• Environmental Compliance: Selecting carbon materials that avoid ozone-depleting substances, supporting regulatory and sustainability goals.
• Comparative Product Evaluation: The correlation with carbon tetrachloride activity allows for performance benchmarking using a more environmentally friendly test substance.

Related Standards

For comprehensive evaluation and compliance, ASTM D5742-16(2023) references and complements several related standards:

• ASTM D3467: Test Method for Carbon Tetrachloride Activity of Activated Carbon
• 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

These standards provide additional testing, calibration, terminology, and quality guidelines that help ensure reliable and reputable results in activated carbon performance assessment.

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By employing ASTM D5742-16(2023), laboratories and manufacturers gain a robust, reliable, and environmentally conscious method for assessing the butane adsorption capacity of granular activated carbon, supporting both product quality assurance and 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: D5742 − 16 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Butane Activity of Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5742; 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 ASTM Test Methods
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
1.1 This test method covers determination of the activation
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
level of activated carbon. Butane activity (BA) is defined
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
herein as the ratio (in percent) of the mass of butane adsorbed
by an activated carbon sample to the mass of the sample, when
3. Terminology
the carbon is saturated with butane under the conditions listed
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
in this test method.
method, refer to Terminology D2652.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Summary of Test Method
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
4.1 An activated carbon bed of known volume and mass is
saturated with butane vapor. The mass adsorbed at saturation is
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
noted and reported as mass of butane per unit mass of carbon.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5.1 The butane activity as determined by this test method is
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
a measure of the ability of an activated carbon to adsorb butane
For a specific warning statement, see 7.1.
from dry air under specified conditions. It is useful for the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
quality control and evaluation of granular activated carbons.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
The butane activity is an indication of the micropore volume of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
the activated carbon sample. This activity number does not
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
necessarily provide an absolute or relative measure of the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
effectiveness of the tested carbon for other adsorbates or at
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
other conditions of operation.
2. Referenced Documents
5.2 The butane activity test can be used as a non-ozone
depleting substitute for the carbon tetrachloride activity test in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Test Method D3467. Fig. 1 shows an experimental correlation
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
of activity values obtained using the two adsorbates.
D2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated
Carbon
NOTE 1—This test has not been designed for use with powdered
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
activated carbon, but it has been used successfully when the flow rate or
D3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration time are adjusted or the sample volume is decreased to keep the pressure
drop at an acceptable value.
D3467 Test Method for Carbon Tetrachloride Activity of
Activated Carbon
6. Apparatus
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
6.1 Water Bath, capable of maintaining a temperature of
25 °C 6 0.2 °C and of sufficient depth so that the entire carbon
bed in the sample tube is immersed in the water.
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
6.2 Sample Tube, with the options shown in Fig. 2.
Phase Evaluation Tests.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. Originally 6.3 Flowmeter, capable of delivering butane at 0 mL ⁄min to
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D5742 – 16. DOI:
500 mL ⁄min, calibrated in accordance with Practice D3195.
10.1520/D5742-16R23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 6.4 Balance, capable of weighing to within 60.01 g.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.5 Fill Device—The vibration feed device used in Test
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Method D2854.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5742 − 16 (2023)
FIG. 1 Butane Versus Carbon Tetrachloride Correlation
6.6 Apparatus Assembly, shown in Fig. 3. 10. Procedure
10.1 Dry the sample using the procedure described in Test
7. Reagents
Methods D2867.
7.1 n-Butane, C. P. Grade. (Warning—Butane is a flam-
10.2 Determine the apparent density in accordance with Test
mable gas with a flash point of −138 °C and a boiling point of
Method D2854 and record.
0.5 °C. Its specific gravity is 2.046 relative to air. Butane may
10.3 Accurately weigh the empty, dry sample tube and
be narcotic in high concentrations and is considered a simple
stoppers to the nearest 0.01 g and record.
asphyxiant. If the entire apparatus is not set up in a fume hood,
10.4 Weigh a representative sample of the carbon equivalent
provision must be made to vent the gas coming from the
to 16.70 mL 6 0.05 mL based on the apparent density deter-
discharge stem of the sample tube.)
mined
...