ASTM D6385-22

Standard Test Method for Determining Acid-Extractable Content in Activated Carbon by Ashing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The quantitative determination of acid-extractable content is useful in evaluating activated carbon samples that contain acid-soluble impurities. These acid-soluble impurities can affect applications of activated carbon.  
4.2 Limitations of Method—Hydrochloric acid is used in this test method as the extracting acid. All elements or compounds present in the activated carbon sample, which can be acid extracted, are assumed to form water-soluble chloride salts. Hydrochloric acid may not solubilize all impurities of activated carbon.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is to be used for determination of the acid-extractable content of a sample of activated carbon. This test method presupposes the existence of substances other than carbon to be present with activated carbon but does not purport to address or identify those substances which may be present. This test method should be applicable to any form in which activated carbon may exist and requires the performance of Test Method D2866.  
1.2 This test method requires the use of concentrated hydrochloric acid, which should be used in an appropriate and safe manner, with eye protection, skin protection, and handling carried out in a properly operating fume hood. The proper use of a muffle furnace is addressed in Test Method D2866.  
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: 31-Aug-2022
• ICS: 73.040 - Coals
• Technical Committee: D28 - Activated Carbon
• Drafting Committee: D28.02 - Liquid Phase Evaluation

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: D6385 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Determining Acid-Extractable Content in Activated Carbon
1
by Ashing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6385; 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 D2866 Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated
Carbon
1.1 This test method is to be used for determination of the
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
acid-extractable content of a sample of activated carbon. This
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
test method presupposes the existence of substances other than
carbon to be present with activated carbon but does not purport
3. Summary of Test Method
to address or identify those substances which may be present.
This test method should be applicable to any form in which 3.1 The percent acid-extractable content of an activated
activated carbon may exist and requires the performance of
carbon sample is determined by the difference between the
Test Method D2866. percent mass of total ash of a sample and the percent mass of
total ash of a sample which has been acid extracted.
1.2 This test method requires the use of concentrated
hydrochloric acid, which should be used in an appropriate and
4. Significance and Use
safe manner, with eye protection, skin protection, and handling
carried out in a properly operating fume hood. The proper use 4.1 The quantitative determination of acid-extractable con-
of a muffle furnace is addressed in Test Method D2866.
tent is useful in evaluating activated carbon samples that
contain acid-soluble impurities. These acid-soluble impurities
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
can affect applications of activated carbon.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. 4.2 Limitations of Method—Hydrochloric acid is used in
this test method as the extracting acid. All elements or
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
compounds present in the activated carbon sample, which can
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
be acid extracted, are assumed to form water-soluble chloride
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
salts. Hydrochloric acid may not solubilize all impurities of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
activated carbon.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
5. Apparatus
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.1 250 mL Glass Beakers or 125 mL Capacity Block
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Heater Digestion Vessel, for boiling and drying the sample.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.2 Watch Glass, suitable for 250 mL beaker or 125 mL
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Capacity Block Heater Digestion Vessel.
5.3 Graduated Cylinders, of 100 mL (TD) and 25 mL (TD)
2. Referenced Documents
2 size.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.4 Buchner Vacuum Funnel, 7cm ID or equivalent filtering
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
device.
5.5 Vacuum Filter Flask, with side arm, 500 mL.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D28 on Liquid
5.6 Vacuum Filter Collar, for the above filter flask.
Phase Evaluation.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally
5.7 Filter Paper, which is hardened, ashless paper, ≤ 8
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D6385 – 99 (2017).
micron pore size and 7 cm in diameter is recommended, or a
DOI: 10.1520/D6385-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or diameter which matches the vacuum funnel. The paper will be
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ashed with the carbon, so ashless paper is necessary.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 5.8 Drying Oven, maintained at 150 °C 6 5 °C.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6385 − 22
5.9 Muffle Furnace, as specified in Test Method D2866. mixture to boil for 5 min 6 10 s.Awatch glass should be used
to cover the beaker (or digestion vessel) while boiling the
5.10 Porcelain Crucibles
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D6385 − 99 (Reapproved 2017) D6385 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Determining Acid-Extractable Content in Activated Carbon
1
by Ashing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6385; 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 is to be used for determination of the acid-extractable content of a sample of activated carbon. This test
method presupposes the existence of substances other than carbon to be present with activated carbon but does not purport to
address or identify those substances which may be present. This test method should be applicable to any form in which activated
carbon may exist and requires the performance of Test Method D2866.
1.2 This test method requires the use of concentrated hydrochloric acid, which should be used in an appropriate and safe manner,
with eye protection, skin protection, and handling carried out in a properly operating fume hood. The proper use of a muffle furnace
is addressed in Test Method D2866.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determinesde-
termine 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2866 Test Method for Total Ash Content of Activated Carbon
D2867 Test Methods for Moisture in Activated Carbon
E300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 The percent acid-extractable content of an activated carbon sample is determined by the difference between the percent mass
of total ash of a sample and the percent mass of total ash of a sample which has been acid extracted.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D28 on Liquid Phase Evaluation.
Current edition approved March 1, 2017Sept. 1, 2022. Published March 2017October 2022. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20112017 as
D6385 – 99 (2011).(2017). DOI: 10.1520/D6385-99R17.10.1520/D6385-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6385 − 22
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The quantitative determination of acid-extractable content is useful in evaluating activated carbon samples that contain
acid-soluble impurities. These acid-soluble impurities can affect applications of activated carbon.
4.2 Limitations of Method—Hydrochloric acid is used in this test method as the extracting acid. All elements or compounds present
in the activated carbon sample, which can be acid extracted, are assumed to form water-soluble chloride salts. Hydrochloric acid
may not solubilize all impurities of activated carbon.
5. Apparatus
5.1 250-mL Glass Beakers, 250 mL Glass Beakers or 125 mL Capacity Block Heater Digestion Vessel, for boiling and drying the
sample.
5.2 Watch Glass, suitable for 250-mL beaker.250 mL beaker or 125 mL Capacity Block Heater Digestion Vessel.
5.3 Graduated Cylinders, of 100-mL 100 mL (TD) and 25-mL 25 mL (TD) size.
5.4 Buchner Vacuum Funnel, 7-cm7cm ID or equivalent filtering device.
5.5 Vacuum Filter Flask, with side arm, 500 mL.
5.6 Vacuum Filter Collar, for the above filter flask.
5.7 Filter Paper, which is hardened, ashless paper, ≤ 8 micron pore size and 7 cm in diameter is recommended, or a diameter which
matches the vacuum funnel. The paper will be ashed with the carbon, so a
...