ASTM D4715-98(2022)e1

Standard Test Method for Coking Value of Tar and Pitch (Alcan)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is useful for indicating the relative coke-forming propensities and for evaluating and characterizing tars and pitches. The test method can also be used as one element in establishing the uniformity of shipments or sources of supply.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the coking value of tar and pitch having an ash content not over 0.5 %, as determined by Test Method D2415.  
1.2 Coking values by this test method are higher than those obtained by Test Method D2416. See the bias statement in Section 13.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-Jun-2022
• ICS: 75.140 - Waxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.05 - Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D4296-24 - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM D2415-20 - Standard Test Method for Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D2416-20 - Standard Test Method for Coking Value of Tar and Pitch (Modified Conradson)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4296-18 - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2018
• Refers: ASTM D2416-84(2015)e1 - Standard Test Method for Coking Value of Tar and Pitch (Modified Conradson)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2015
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(2015)e1 - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2015
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM D2415-98(2012) - Standard Test Method for Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(2009) - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM D2416-84(2009) - Standard Test Method for Coking Value of Tar and Pitch (Modified Conradson)
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM E11-09e1 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM D2415-98(2008) - Standard Test Method for Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM D850-03(2008)e1 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Refers: ASTM D2416-84(2004) - Standard Test Method for Coking Value of Tar and Pitch (Modified Conradson)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Refers: ASTM D4296-83(2004) - Standard Practice for Sampling Pitch
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004

Overview

ASTM D4715-98(2022)e1: Standard Test Method for Coking Value of Tar and Pitch (Alcan) is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. This test method provides procedures to determine the coking value of tar and pitch samples with low ash content (not exceeding 0.5%), offering a reliable indication of their coke-forming properties. The coking value is an important parameter for evaluating and characterizing tars and pitches in various industrial applications. This standard supports quality control, specification compliance, and consistency in the supply chain for materials used in coke production and related processes.

Key Topics

• Coke Formation Propensity: The method is designed to indicate the relative ability of tars and pitches to form coke under controlled conditions, providing valuable information for product evaluation.
• Sample Requirements: Applicable to tars and pitches with ash content at or below 0.5%, as determined by ASTM D2415.
• Standardized Testing Procedure: Involves heating a test portion at 550°C ± 10°C in a controlled electric furnace and measuring the mass of residue as the coking value.
• Quality and Uniformity: Useful for monitoring shipment consistency or comparing multiple sources of tar or pitch.
• Precision and Bias: Results by this method typically yield slightly higher coking values than alternative methods such as ASTM D2416.

Applications

The ASTM D4715 test method is essential for industries where the coke-forming characteristics of tar and pitch are critical. Its main areas of application include:

• Metallurgy: Used in the manufacture of electrodes and metallurgical coke, where knowledge of fixed carbon content and residue formation is vital.
• Quality Control in Production: Ensures uniformity and conformity of tar and pitch in industrial batches, minimizing variability in end-product performance.
• Supplier Evaluation: Assists in verifying the consistency of raw materials from different sources, contributing to supply chain reliability.
• Research and Development: Supports the formulation of new products where controlled coke production is required.
• Regulatory Compliance: Provides a recognized method that aligns with international principles set forth by organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
• Process Optimization: Data generated can be used to optimize blending strategies or thermal processes involving tar and pitch.

Related Standards

• ASTM D2415: Test Method for Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch - Used to confirm ash content prior to coking value determination.
• ASTM D2416: Test Method for Coking Value of Tar and Pitch (Modified Conradson) - Alternative method, generally yielding lower coking values.
• ASTM D850: Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials.
• ASTM D4296: Practice for Sampling Pitch - Ensures representative bulk sampling for testing.
• ASTM E11: Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves - Sieve sizes referenced for sample preparation.

Practical Value

ASTM D4715 ensures reliable, repeatable assessment of coking value, supporting the selection, quality assurance, and performance optimization of tars and pitches in critical industrial sectors. Its robust procedure helps organizations maintain high product standards and supports compliance with international trade and regulatory requirements. This makes it a foundational tool in the petroleum, metallurgical, and chemical industries focused on coke production and related processes.

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.
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Designation: D4715 − 98 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Coking Value of Tar and Pitch (Alcan)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4715; 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.
ε NOTE—Editorially updated Section 13 in August 2022.
1. Scope 3. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the coking 3.1 Atest portion of the tar or pitch is heated for a specified
value of tar and pitch having an ash content not over 0.5 %, as time at 550 °C 6 10 °C in an electric furnace. The percentage
determined by Test Method D2415. of residue is reported as the coking value.
1.2 Coking values by this test method are higher than those
4. Significance and Use
obtained by Test Method D2416. See the bias statement in
4.1 This test method is useful for indicating the relative
Section 13.
coke-forming propensities and for evaluating and characteriz-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
ing tars and pitches. The test method can also be used as one
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
element in establishing the uniformity of shipments or sources
standard.
of supply.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Apparatus
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 Porcelain Crucible, tall form, 30 mL capacity, height of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
37 mm and diameter 43 mm, with lids of the overlapping type.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.2 Nickel Crucible, 100 mL to 130 mL capacity, height of
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
64 mm and diameter of 60 mm, with lids.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 5.3 Wire Support—Stainless steel wire support, fitting into
the nickel crucible, used to keep the porcelain crucible (5.1)in
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical place within the nickel crucible (5.2). This support shall allow
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. a separation of 10 mm 6 1 mm between the bases of the two
crucibles (see Fig. 1).
2. Referenced Documents
5.4 Crucible Tray—A suitable crucible tray to support the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
nickel crucibles should be made so that there is at least 7 mm
D850 Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic
of space between the bottom of the crucible and the base of the
Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
furnace.
D2415 Test Method for Ash in Coal Tar and Pitch
5.5 Electric Furnace, capable of being controlled at 550 °C
D2416 Test Method for Coking Value of Tar and Pitch
6 10 °C.
(Modified Conradson)
D4296 Practice for Sampling Pitch 5.6 Sieves—1 mm (U.S. Standard No. 18), 300 µm
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
(U.S. Standard No. 50) and 212 µm (U.S. Standard No. 70),
Sieves conforming to Specification E11.
6. Reagents and Materials
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
6.1 Calcined Petroleum Coke—Use the fraction which
SubcommitteeD02.05onPropertiesofFuels,PetroleumCokeandCarbonMaterial.
passes a 1 mm mesh sieve (U.S. Standard No. 18) and is
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published August 2022. Originally
retained by a 212 µm mesh sieve (U.S. Standard No. 70).
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D4715 – 98 (2017).
DOI: 10.1520/D4715-98R22E01.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 7. Bulk Sampling
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
7.1 Samples from shipments shall be taken in accordance
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. with Practice D4296, and shall be free of foreign substances.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D4715 − 98 (2022)
10.2 Heat a clean porcelain crucible with its lid in the
electric furnace, controlled at 550 °C 6 10 °C, for 2 h. After
cooling to ambient temperature in a desiccator, weigh to the
nearest 1 mg.
10.3 Weigh into the crucible, to the nearest 1 mg, a repre-
sentativeportionof1 g 60.05 gofthetestspecimen.Placethe
wire support in the nickel crucible and make a bed 10 mm 6
1 mmthickonthebaseofthecruciblewiththepetroleumcoke.
Place the porcelain crucible containing the test portion in the
FIG. 1 Assembly of Nickel and Porcelain Crucibles
wire support so that it sits on the bed of petroleum coke. Cover
the porcelain crucible with its lid and completely fill the space
Thoroughly mix the sample immediately before removing a
between the two crucibles with the petroleum coke so that the
representative portion for the determination or for dehydration.
porcelain crucible is completely embedded. Take care to avoid
contamination of the sample by the coke. Cover the nickel
8. Dehydration of Sample
crucible with its lid.
8.1 Hard Pitch—If the solid bulk sample contains free
10.4 Place the prepared crucible on the crucible support and
water, air-dry a representative portion.
place the whole in th
...