ASTM D3802-10

Standard Test Method for Ball-Pan Hardness of Activated Carbon

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Several methods have been employed in the past for determining the resistance of activated carbons to particle size degradation under service conditions, including the ball-pan method, the stirring bar method, and the dust elutriation method. None of these has proved completely satisfactory for all applications, and all have been questioned by ASTM Committee D28 on Activated Carbon as tests for establishing degradation resistance. However, the ball-pan method has been used widely in the past and has a broad history in the activated carbon industry for measuring the property loosely described as “hardness.” In this context the test is useful in establishing a measurable characteristic of a carbon. Conceding the fact that the test does not actually measure in-service resistance to degradation, it can be used to establish the comparability of lots ostensibly of the same grade of carbon.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the ball-pan hardness number of granular activated carbons. For the purpose of this test, granular activated carbons are those having particles 90 % of which are larger than 80 mesh (180 μm) as determined by Test Method D2862.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2010
• ICS: 75.160.10 - Solid fuels
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.04 - Gas Phase Evaluation Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3802-79(2005) - Standard Test Method for Ball-Pan Hardness of Activated Carbon
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D4069-95(2020) - Standard Specification for Impregnated Activated Carbon Used to Remove Gaseous Radio-Iodines from Gas Streams
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D3802 −10
StandardTest Method for
1
Ball-Pan Hardness of Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3802; 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 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 nominal particle size: natural, granular, and irregu-
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the
larly shaped particle carbons—that particle size range, ex-
ball-pan hardness number of granular activated carbons. For
pressed in terms of Specification E11 sieve sizes, whose small
the purpose of this test, granular activated carbons are those
end excludes not more than 5 % of the particle size
having particles 90 % of which are larger than 80 mesh (180
distribution, and whose large end excludes not more than 5 %
µm) as determined by Test Method D2862.
of the distribution, on a weight basis.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.2 nominal particle size: pelleted carbons—that particle
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
size range, expressed in terms of Specification E11 sieve sizes,
only.
whose small end excludes not more than 10 % of the particle
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
size distribution, and whose large end excludes not more than
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5 % of the distribution, on a weight basis.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.3 small end nominal particle size—that particle size,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
expressed by its equivalent Specification E11 sieve, which
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
defines the excluded portion of the particle size distribution at
its small particle size end in accordance with 3.2.1 or 3.2.2.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Summary of Test Method
B19 Specification for Cartridge Brass Sheet, Strip, Plate,
4.1 Ascreened and weighed sample of the carbon is placed
Bar, and Disks
B150/B150M Specification forAluminum Bronze Rod, Bar, in a special hardness pan with a number of stainless steel balls,
thensubjectedtoacombinedrotatingandtappingactionfor30
and Shapes
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon min. At the end of this period, the amount of particle size
degradationisdeterminedbymeasuringthequantityofcarbon,
D2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated
Carbon by weight, which is retained on a sieve whose openings are
closest to one half the openings of the sieve that defines the
D2862 Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Granu-
minimum nominal particle size of the original sample.
lar Activated Carbon
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test 5. Significance and Use
Sieves
5.1 Several methods have been employed in the past for
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
determining the resistance of activated carbons to particle size
degradation under service conditions, including the ball-pan
3. Terminology
method, the stirring bar method, and the dust elutriation
3.1 General—Terms applicable to this standard are defined
method. None of these has proved completely satisfactory for
in Terminology D2652.
all applications, and all have been questioned by ASTM
Committee D28 on Activated Carbon as tests for establishing
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on
degradation resistance. However, the ball-pan method has been
Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas
used widely in the past and has a broad history in the activated
Phase Evaluation Tests.
carbon industry for measuring the property loosely described
Current edition approved April 1, 2010. Published May 2010. Originally
as “hardness.” In this context the test is useful in establishing
approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D3802 – 79 (2005).
DOI: 10.1520/D3802-10.
ameasurablecharacteristicofacarbon.Concedingthefactthat
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
the test does not actually measure in-service resistance to
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
degradation, it can be used to establish the comparability of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. lots ostensibly of the same grade of carbon.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D3802–79(Reapproved2005) Designation: D3802 – 10
Standard Test Method for
1
Ball-Pan Hardness of Activated Carbon
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3802; 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
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for determining the ball-pan hardness number of granular activated carbons. For the
purpose of this test, granular activated carbons are those having particles 90 % of which are larger than 80 mesh (180 µm) as
determined by Test Method D2862.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
B19 Specification for Cartridge Brass Sheet, Strip, Plate, Bar, and Disks
B150/B150M Specification for Aluminum Bronze Rod, Bar, and Shapes
D2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon
D2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated Carbon
D2862 Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Granular Activated Carbon
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
3. Terminology
3.1 General—Terms applicable to this standard are defined in Terminology D2652.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 nominal particle size: natural, granular, and irregularly shaped particle carbons—that particle size range, expressed in
terms of Specification E11 sieve sizes, whose small end excludes not more than 5 % of the particle size distribution, and whose
large end excludes not more than 5 % of the distribution, on a weight basis.
3.2.2 nominal particle size: pelleted carbons—that particle size range, expressed in terms of Specification E11 sieve sizes,
whose small end excludes not more than 10 % of the particle size distribution, and whose large end excludes not more than 5 %
of the distribution, on a weight basis.
3.2.3 small end nominal particle size—that particle size, expressed by its equivalent Specification E11 sieve, which defines the
excluded portion of the particle size distribution at its small particle size end in accordance with 3.2.1 or 3.2.2.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Ascreened and weighed sample of the carbon is placed in a special hardness pan with a number of stainless steel balls, then
subjected to a combined rotating and tapping action for 30 min.At the end of this period, the amount of particle size degradation
is determined by measuring the quantity of carbon, by weight, which is retained on a sieve whose openings are closest to one half
the openings of the sieve that defines the minimum nominal particle size of the original sample.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Several methods have been employed in the past for determining the resistance of activated carbons to particle size
1
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 Phase
Evaluation Tests.
Current edition approved Oct.April 1, 2005.2010. Published October 2005.May 2010. Originally approved in 1979. Last previous edition approved in 19992005 as
D3802 – 79 (1999).(2005). DOI: 10.1520/D3802-79R05.10.1520/D3802-10.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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

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D3802 – 10
degradationunderserviceconditions,includingtheball-panmethod,thestirringbarmethod,andthedustelutriationmethod.None
of these has proved completely satisfactory for all applications, and all have been questioned by ASTM Committee D28 on
Activated Carbon as tests for establishing degradation resistance. However, the ball-pan method has been used
...