ASTM D3860-98(2020)

Standard Practice for Determination of Adsorptive Capacity of Activated Carbon by Aqueous Phase Isotherm Technique

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice is used when activated carbon is considered as an adsorbent in treating water. Since both granular and powdered activated carbons are commercially available, a standard practice is needed to ensure that the activated carbons are evaluated under the same test conditions. Specified particle size carbon is to be used to ensure that the same test conditions are used. The practice is generally performed at 20 °C; however, other temperatures may be used and noted.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the adsorptive capacity of activated carbon to remove undesirable constituents from water and waste water. It can be used to evaluate the adsorptive capacity of activated or reactivated carbon.  
1.2 This practice is not recommended unless special precautions are taken to reduce loss during sample preparation and analysis.  
1.3 This practice is recommended to determine the adsorptive capacity of activated carbon for the following applications, but is not limited to these applications:  
1.3.1 Removal of color from dye mill waste water,  
1.3.2 Removal of taste or odor constituents, or both, from potable waters,  
1.3.3 Removal of toxicants from water,  
1.3.4 Removal of surface-active agents from water,  
1.3.5 Removal of BOD5 from sanitary waste waters, and  
1.3.6 Removal of TOC from industrial waste waters.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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-May-2020
• ICS: 71.060.10 - Chemical elements
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.02 - Liquid Phase Evaluation

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3860-98(2014) - Standard Practice for Determination of Adsorptive Capacity of Activated Carbon by Aqueous Phase Isotherm Technique
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1129-13(2020)e2 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM D2652-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D3370-10 - Standard Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010
• Refers: ASTM D1129-10 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2010
• Refers: ASTM D2867-09 - Standard Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM D3370-08 - Standard Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM D3370-07 - Standard Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2007
• Refers: ASTM D1129-06ae1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1129-06a - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1129-06 - Standard Terminology Relating to Water
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2006
• Refers: ASTM D2652-05a - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2005
• Refers: ASTM D2652-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2005
• Refers: ASTM D2867-04 - Standard Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004

Overview

ASTM D3860-98(2020), Standard Practice for Determination of Adsorptive Capacity of Activated Carbon by Aqueous Phase Isotherm Technique, is an international standard developed by ASTM. This standard sets forth a uniform practice for determining the adsorptive capacity of both activated and reactivated carbon when used as adsorbents in the treatment of water and wastewater. The procedure ensures consistency in evaluating activated carbons by specifying test conditions, particularly the use of a defined particle size and a standard test temperature (generally 20°C, unless otherwise noted). The method is critical for industries and laboratories needing to assess carbon performance for various water purification applications.

Key Topics

• Adsorptive Capacity Measurement: The standard details the process of evaluating the removal efficiency of activated carbon for undesirable constituents in aqueous solutions, using isotherm techniques.
• Sample Preparation: Emphasis is placed on using activated carbon of a specified particle size (95% passing through a 325-mesh sieve) and on proper drying and handling techniques to minimize sample loss and ensure data accuracy.
• Test Conditions: To maintain reproducibility, the practice recommends testing at 20°C and outlines adjustments for other temperatures.
• Applications: The standard is versatile and covers a range of water treatment needs, including:
  • Removal of color from industrial dye mill effluents
  • Removal of taste and odor compounds from potable water
  • Removal of toxic contaminants, surface-active agents, BOD5, and total organic carbon (TOC) from various water sources
• Calculation and Reporting: The method includes precise calculation guidelines for adsorptive capacity (X/M in mg/g) and a standardized format for data reporting, supporting reliable comparison across products and laboratories.
• Safety Considerations: The document underscores the user’s responsibility to assess and manage safety, health, and environmental risks relevant to their application.

Applications

The ASTM D3860-98(2020) standard is widely applicable in water treatment, environmental testing, and industrial quality assurance. Key practical uses include:

• Municipal Water Treatment Plants: To evaluate the effectiveness of activated carbon in improving drinking water quality by removing taste, odor, and organic contaminants.
• Industrial Wastewater Treatment: For assessing carbon's ability to remove dyes, organic pollutants, and surfactants from effluents before discharge, supporting compliance with environmental regulations.
• Research and Development: In laboratory settings for characterization, specification, and comparison of different activated carbon materials.
• Quality Control: Enables manufacturers and suppliers of activated carbon to benchmark and certify their materials’ adsorptive capacities, ensuring consistent product performance.

This practice supports the optimization of water purification processes, the selection of suitable carbon products, and compliance with stringent regulatory requirements.

Related Standards

ASTM D3860 references several other ASTM standards that are frequently used in conjunction with its procedure:

• ASTM D1129 - Terminology Relating to Water
• ASTM D1193 - Specification for Reagent Water
• ASTM D2652 - Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
• ASTM D2867 - Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
• ASTM D3370 - Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process Streams
• ASTM E300 - Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals

These related standards ensure consistency in terminology, sampling, and test conditions, facilitating broader reliability and interoperability across water and wastewater analysis.

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Activated carbon adsorptive capacity, aqueous phase isotherm, and ASTM D3860 compliance are essential keywords for organizations seeking excellence in water purification, environmental protection, and process optimization. Adherence to this ASTM practice promotes standardized, high-quality assessment and application of activated carbon in diverse sectors globally.

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: D3860 − 98 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Practice for
Determination of Adsorptive Capacity of Activated Carbon
by Aqueous Phase Isotherm Technique
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3860; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice covers the determination of the adsorptive
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
capacityofactivatedcarbontoremoveundesirableconstituents
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
from water and waste water. It can be used to evaluate the
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
adsorptive capacity of activated or reactivated carbon.
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
1.2 This practice is not recommended unless special precau-
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process
tions are taken to reduce loss during sample preparation and
Streams
analysis.
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
1.3 This practice is recommended to determine the adsorp-
3. Terminology
tivecapacityofactivatedcarbonforthefollowingapplications,
but is not limited to these applications: 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Fordefinitionsoftermsusedinthispracticerelatingto
1.3.1 Removal of color from dye mill waste water,
activated carbon, refer to Terminology D2652.
1.3.2 Removal of taste or odor constituents, or both, from
3.1.2 For definition of terms used in this practice relating to
potable waters,
water, refer to Terminology D1129.
1.3.3 Removal of toxicants from water,
1.3.4 Removal of surface-active agents from water,
4. Summary of Practice
1.3.5 Removal of BOD from sanitary waste waters, and
4.1 This practice consists of the determination of the ad-
1.3.6 Removal of TOC from industrial waste waters.
sorptive capacity of activated carbon for adsorbable constitu-
ents by contacting the aqueous solution with activated carbon,
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
determining the amount of the constituents removed, and
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
calculating the adsorptive capacity from a Freundlich isotherm
standard.
plot.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1.1 Sample weights of activated carbon may have to be
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
adjusted, depending on the concentration of adsorbable con-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
stituents in the water.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 5. Significance and Use
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.1 This practice is used when activated carbon is consid-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ered as an adsorbent in treating water. Since both granular and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
powdered activated carbons are commercially available, a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
standard practice is needed to ensure that the activated carbons
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
are evaluated under the same test conditions. Specified particle
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
size carbon is to be used to ensure that the same test conditions
are used. The practice is generally performed at 20 °C;
however, other temperatures may be used and noted.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on Activated
Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.02 on Liquid Phase
Evaluation. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3860 – 98 (2014). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D3860-98R20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3860 − 98 (2020)
TABLE 2 Format for Data Reporting
6. Interferences
C
6.1 The water sample must not contain any immiscible oil. (C) V
Concentration X Constituent
M Grams of Constituent
Remaining in Adsorbed, X/M = mg/g
6.2 Generally, membrane filters contain a slight amount of
Carbon Remaining in
Solution, mg
Solution, mg
leachable surfactants and wetting agents that might be a source
mg/L
of detectable error in waters having low concentrations of
Control 500 50 . . . . . .
adsorbable constituents. 0.0500 475 47.5 2.5 50
0.1000 450 45.0 5.0 50
0.2000 420 42.0 8.0 40
7. Apparatus
0.5000 310 31.0 19 38
1.000 200 20.0 30 30
7.1 Agitator, able to keep slurried activated carbon in
2.000 100 10.0 40 20
suspension.
5.000 35 3.5 46.5 9.3
10.00 12 1.2 48.8 4.9
NOTE 1—A wrist-action shaker or a magnetic stirrer is suitable as an
20.00 4 0.4 49.6 2.48
agitator.
7.2 Grinding Mill, capable of grinding material so that 95 %
passes through a 325-mesh sieve.
9.2 For water containing >10 mg/Ladsorbable constituents,
7.3 Vacuum or Pressure-Filtration Apparatus.
pipet aliquots of 100 mL each into 500-mL glass-stoppered
Erlenmeyer flasks. For water containing |La10 mg/L, measure
7.4 Membrane Filters, 0.40 to 0.45 µm.
500-mL aliquots into 1000-mL glass-stoppered Erl
...