ASTM F726-99
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Sorbent Performance of Adsorbents
Standard Test Method for Sorbent Performance of Adsorbents
SCOPE
1.1 This method covers laboratory tests which describe the performance of adsorbents in removing nonemulsified oils and other floating, immiscible liquids from the surface of water.
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Designation:F726–99
Standard Test Method for
Sorbent Performance of Adsorbents
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F726; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3.1.1 sorbent—aninsolublematerialormixtureofmaterials
used to recover liquids through the mechanisms of absorption
1.1 This test method covers laboratory tests which describe
or adsorption, or both.
the performance of adsorbents in removing nonemulsified oils
3.1.2 universalsorbent—aninsolublematerialormixtureof
and other floating, immiscible liquids from the surface of
materials that will sorb both hydrophobic and hydrophilic
water.
liquid spills.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.2 Definitions:
standard.
3.2.1 absorbent—a material that picks up and retains a
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
liquid distributed throughout its molecular structure causing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the solid to swell (50% or more). The absorbent is at least
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
70% insoluble in excess fluid.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.2.2 adsorbent—an insoluble material that is coated by a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
liquidonitssurfaceincludingporesandcapillarieswithoutthe
tionary statements are given in 8.3.1.
solid swelling more than 50% in excess liquid.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.3 adsorbent cubage factor“ C”—this is the ratio of
sorbent volume used to the liquid volume sorbed.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.4 cubage—defines cubic content, volume or displace-
D1596 Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Char-
ment
acteristics of Packaging Material
3.2.5 gellant—a material such as a colloidal network or
D2859 Test Method for Flammability of Finished Textile
other aggregate network which pervades and holds a liquid in
Floor Covering Materials
a highly viscous fragile structure. Many gels may rapidly
F716 Methods of Testing Sorbent Performance of Absor-
liquifywithaddedheatorionic/polaraddition.Thesematerials
bents
are soluble/flowable in excess liquid.
F1127 Guide for Containment by Emergency Response
3.2.6 thickener—a material (usually of higher molecular
Personnel of Hazardous Material Spills
weight) that is soluble in excess liquid. These materials go
2.2 Federal Standard:
fromdrytogummy(viscoelastic)toflowableandthensoluble.
Fed. Std. No. 141a Paint, Varnish, Lacquer and Related
The final viscosity depends only on the liquid to solid ratio.
Materials, Methods of Inspection, Sampling and Testing
3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard—Thistest
2.3 Military Specification:
method does not apply to belt, rope or weir type skimming
MIL-I-631D Insulation, Electric, Synthetic Resin Compo-
devices.
sition, Nonrigid
3.3.1 oil—a substantially water immiscible organic liquids
3. Terminology
which will float on water (density less than 1 g/cm ), typically
−3
with surface tension less than 40 3 10 N/m.
3.1 General Terminology:
3.3.2 Type I adsorbent (roll, film, sheet, pad, blanket,
web)—a material with length and width much greater than
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-20 on
thickness and which has both linear form and strength suffi-
Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of
cient to be handled either saturated or unsaturated.
Subcommittee F20.22 on Mitigation.
3.3.3 Type II adsorbent (loose)—an unconsolidated, par-
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1999. Published April 1999. Originally
e1
published as F726 – 81. Last previous edition F726 – 81 (1993) .
ticulate material without sufficient form and strength to be
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
handled except with scoops and similar equipment.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.3.4 Type III adsorbent (enclosed):
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F726–99
3.3.4.1 IIIa, pillows—adsorbent material contained by an 6.5 Top Loading Balance—for Type I and II adsorbent,
outer fabric or netting which has permeability to oil, but with fitted with a hook or other handing mechanism, 400 + g
openings sufficiently small so as to substantially retain the maximum capacity with 0.1 g resolution, or equivalent.
sorbent material within the fabric or netting. 6.6 Continuous Reading Hanging Scale,forTypeIIIandIV
3.3.4.2 IIIb, adsorbent booms—adsorbent material con- adsorbent,fittedwithahookorotherhandingmechanism,50+
tained by an outer fabric or netting which has permeability to kg maximum capacity with 100 g resolution, or equivalent.
orispermeabletooilbutwithopeningssufficientlysmallsoas
to substantially retain the sorbent material within the fabric or 7. Conditioning
netting. The lengthwise dimension substantially exceeds other
7.1 Condition all adsorbent test specimens at 23 6 4°C and
dimensions and with strength members running parallel with
70 6 20% relative humidity for not less than 24 h prior to
length.Boomsarealsoprovidedwithconnectionsforcoupling
testing. Condition specimens is a fully exposed state with no
adsorbent booms together.
coverings or wrapping that would hinder the ambient equili-
3.3.5 Type IV-agglomeration unit—an assemblage of
bration process.
strands, open netting, or other physical forms giving an open
7.2 If temperature conditions other than normal room tem-
structure which minimally impedes the intrusion into itself of
perature are expected to be important, then conditioning and
high viscosity oils. Normally for use with viscous oils, typi-
testing should be carried out at temperatures of interest in
cally above 10 000 cPviscosity. Said oils are then held in this
addition to those specified in 7.1.
structure permitting the composite oil/structure to be handled
(pompoms).
8. Tests for Storage Properties
3.3.6 reuse—the art of extracting adsorbed liquids from an
8.1 Storage Density—The density of the sorbent sample is
adsorbent through rolls or other compression techniques per-
calculated by determining the weight of a known volume
mitting the adsorbent to be used once again; limitations on
(standard sorbent package as delivered to the consumer) of the
reuse may include the U.S. Clean Water Act or other legal
sorbent.Ifstandardstoragepackagesarenotavailable,thenthe
restrictions.
mass of at least 1 L of sorbent is determined to calculate the
storage density.
4. Summary of Test Method
8.2 Mildew—The susceptibility of an adsorbent to mildew
4.1 The adsorbent material is tested using established stan-
under normal storage is defined under MIL-1-631D, Section
dard tests for factors relating to storage, while specially
3.5.7. The objective of this test is to determine expected shelf
developed tests are used for covering other performance
life under conditions which could lead to mildew.
factors. Oil and water adsorption strength, buoyancy, and
8.3 Flammability—The procedure for this test is described
reusability tests are included among these latter tests.
in Test Method D2859, the Methenamine Pill Test. This test
relates to ignition from a spark, cigarette, or other point source
5. Significance and Use
such as might be encountered in normal shipping and storage.
5.1 This test method is to be used as a basis for comparison
It should not be inferred that an adsorbent which passes this
of adsorbents in a consistent manner.
test will fail to burn if ignited in another manner such as full
5.2 These tests are not appropriate for absorbent materials
building involvement, bonfire, etc., and it should likewise be
which are covered in Methods F716.
understood that the test is limited to and pertains to only
unsaturated adsorbent samples as normally supplied by the
6. Apparatus
manufacturer.
6.1 Exterior Exposure Tester, sufficient to be used under
8.3.1 This test method should be used to measure and
Federal Test Standard 141a, Method 6152, or actual exposure
describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in
as detailed in 8.2.
response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory con-
6.2 Test Cells—The dimensions of the test cells shall be
ditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire
large enough to enable the adsorbent sample to float freely
hazard or fire risk of materials, products, assemblies under
within the test cell. For type I and type II sorbents, the
actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used
recommendedtestcellisaborosilicate19cm(diameter)by10
as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account
cm (depth) crystallizing dish with a watch glass or glass plate
all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the
cover. For larger samples, a 53 cm 3 56 cm plastic sink
fire hazard of a particular end use.
(laundry tub or equivalent) to accommodate the sample is
8.3.2 Test Type I adsorbents as a single sheet or pad as
recommended.
supplied by the vendor.
6.3 Mesh Baskets—The basket shall be of a sufficient size
8.3.3 Uniformly arrange Type II adsorbents in a layer of
and strength to accommodate the sample size and weight (150
3 sufficient size to fit the test apparatus. The thickness should be
cm , 4 to 10 g minimum) when saturated.The basket must not
1.5mmuncompressed,andarrangedsuchthatthebulkdensity
be so tall as to interfere with a protective lid for the test cell.
is equal to that found in the packaged product as supplied by
NOTE 1—Themeshshouldretainthesorbent,yetallowfreeoiltodrain
the manufacturer.
away from the sorbent.
8.3.4 Any type adsorbent can be tested in the package in
6.4 Shaker Table, capable of variable frequency from 20 to which it is supplied by placing the standard Methenamine test
240 cycles/min and variable amplitude of 1 to 4 cm. mask on a flat portion of the package surface, and placing the
F726–99
pill in the center of the mask on the package and igniting it. 9.2.2.1 Thejarishalf-filledwithfreshwaterand3mLofoil
Results would be interpreted as in the normal test. (medium crude, 300 cP oil or equivalent) is added. The
adsorbent sample is returned to the jar which is then sealed.
9. Tests for Performance Properties The jar is placed on its side and mounted on a shaker table, or
similar device, set at a frequency of 150 cycles per minute and
9.1 These tests involve the use of oils with a range of
an amplitude of 3 cm for a duration of 15 min.The contents of
viscosities and densities as indicated below.
thejarareallowedtosettleforaperiodof2min,atwhichtime
Oil Type Viscosity Range Density Range Example
observations are noted. Observations include but are not
Light 1 to 10 cP 0.820 to 0.870 g/cm Diesel fuel
limited to: quantity of adsorbent submerged, physical appear-
Medium 200 to 400 cP 0.860 to 0.930 g/cm Crude oil
ance of adsorbent and water, and the persistence and color of
Heavy 1500 to 2500 cP 0.930 to 1.000 g/cm Bunker C or residual
fuel
residual test liquid sheen.
Weathered 8000 to 10 000 cP 0.930 to 1.000 g/cm Emulsified crude oil
9.2.3 Types IIIa, IIIb, IV Adsorbents—Both the outer fabric
9.2 Dynamic Degradation Test—Thisprocedureisdesigned or netting and the filler material are tested independently for
to test for water take-up and to determine oleophilic properties type III adsorbents. Samples are prepared according to the
of an adsorbent sample under dynamic conditions. This test is protocollistedin9.2.1fortheouterfabricornettingofTypeIII
performed at 23 6 4°C. adsorbents and type IV adsorbents, and the protocol listed in
9.2.2 is used for any particulate filler material used in type III
9.2.1 Type I Adsorbent—Sample pieces of the adsorbent (4
adsorbents. If the adsorbent material fails to remain floating as
pieces cut with a sharp edge (to minimize compaction) into
described in 9.2.1 or 9.2.2, then the adsorbent is deemed to
squares of approximately 6 by 6 cm) are first weighed then
have failed the dynamic degradation test.
placed ina4Ljar which is half-filled with water and sealed.
The container is then placed on its side and mounted on a 9.3 Oil Adsorption-Short Test—This test gives idealized
shakertable,orsimilardevice,setatafrequencyof150cycles laboratory data which can be used to compare one adsorbent’s
per minute and an amplitude of 3 cm for a duration of 15 min.
oil capacity with another and likewise give relative cost
The contents of the jar are allowed to settle for a period of 2 effectiveness. It should be recognized that under normal use
min. Observations pertaining to the condition of the adsorbent conditions, an adsorbent will not be exposed to sufficient oil
and the condition of the water are recorded. Any adsorbent layerthicknesstobecomecompletelyorrapidlysaturated.This
pieces which do not remain floating at the surface of the water test will, therefore, give maximum possible capacity data and
are considered to have failed this test. The contents of the jar idealized time to saturation. The objective of this test is to
are strained through a mesh basket to catch the adsorbent determine optimum adsorbent without the competing presence
samples, which are then weighed after a 30 s drain period.The of water.As such, this data relates only to oil layer thicknesses
waterpick-upratioiscalculatedfromtheweightmeasurements which approximate or exceed that of the adsorbent. All
(see 9.5). adsorption test procedures to be run with adsorbent samples
conditioned as in Section 7 and using specified oils at 23 6
9.2.1.1 Thejarishalf-filledwithfreshwaterand3mLofoil
4°C.
(medium crude, 300 cP oil or equivalent) is added. The
adsorbent sample is returned to the jar which is then sealed. 9.3.1 Type I Adsorbent—Thetestliquidlayershouldbeofa
The jar is placed on its side and mounted on a shaker table, or minimum thickness of 2.5 cm if the thickness of the adsorbent
similar device, set at a frequency of 150 cycles per minute and is under 2.5 cm. If the adsorbent is thicker than 2.5 cm, then a
an amplitude of 3 cm for a duration of 15 min.The contents of liquid layer at least as thick as the adsorbent sample should be
thejarareallowedtosettleforaperiodof2min
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