Designation: D 2862 – 97

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Test Method for

Particle Size Distribution of Granular Activated Carbon1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2862; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope of gases or liquid in a packed bed of the material. Changes in

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle particle size distribution can affect the pressure drop across the
size distribution of granular activated carbon. For the purposes bed and the rate of adsorption in a bed of a given size.
of this test, granular activated carbon is defined as a minimum 4.2 Mean particle diameter is a property of activated car-
of 90 % of the sample weight being retained on a 180-µm bons that influences pressure drop.
Standard sieve. A U.S. mesh 80 sieve is equivalent to a 180–µm 4.3 Effective size and uniformity coefficient are two prop-
Standard sieve. erties of activated carbons often of interest in municipal water
treatment applications where control of particle size is of
NOTE 1—For extruded carbons, as the length/diameter ratio of the interest.
particles increases, the validity of the test results might be affected.
1.2 The data obtained may also be used to calculate mean 5. Apparatus
particle diameter (MPD), effective size, and uniformity coef- 5.1 Mechanical Sieve Shaker5—This is a mechanically
ficient. operated sieve shaker that imparts a uniform rotating and
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the tapping motion to a stack of 8-in. (203-mm or equivalent)
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the sieves as described in 5.2. The sieve shaker should be adjusted
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- to accommodate the desired number of sieves, receiver pan,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- and sieve cover. The bottom stops should be adjusted to give a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. clearance of approximately 1⁄16 in. (1.5 mm) between the upper
carrying plate stops and the sieve cover plate, so that the sieves
2. Referenced Documents will be free to rotate. The sieve shaker shall be powered with
2.1 ASTM Standards: 1⁄4-hp (186-W) electric motor producing 1725 to 1750 rpm. The

D 2652 Terminology Relating to Activated Carbon2 sieve shaker should produce 140 to 160 raps per minute with
D 2854 Test Method for Apparent Density of Activated the striker arm and 280 to 320 rotating motions per minute of
Carbon2 the sieve stack. The cover plate shall be fitted with a cork
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur- stopper that shall extend 1⁄4 6 1⁄8 in. (6.35 6 3.18 mm) above
poses3 the metal recess. At no time shall any material other than cork
E 300 Practice for Sampling Industrial Chemicals4 be permitted.
5.2 Sieves—U.S. Standard sieves or equivalent conforming
3. Summary of Test Method
to Specification E 11. The sieves shall be either 2 in. (51 mm)
3.1 A known weight of granular activated carbon is placed (full height) or 1 in. (25 mm.) (half height) in height, and 8 in.
on the top sieve of a stacked set of U.S. Standard sieves and (203 mm or equivalent) in diameter.
shaken under standard conditions for a specific time period, 5.3 Bottom Receiver Pan and Top Sieve Cover.
after which the weight percent of the total retained on each 5.4 Interval Timer, adjustable, with an accuracy of 610 s.
sieve and bottom pan is determined. 5.5 Sample Splitter, single-stage riffle type.
5.6 Balance, with a sensitivity of 0.1 g.
4. Significance and Use
5.7 Soft Brass Wire Brush. 6
4.1 It is necessary to know the distribution of particle sizes 5.8 Cylinder, glass, graduated, 250-mL capacity.
of granular activated carbon in order to provide proper contact 5.9 Equivalent Apparatus—Newer technology may produce
devices that can perform an equivalent function to the me-
1
chanical sieve shaker described in 5.1, for which this method
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-28 on
Activated Carbon and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D28.04 on Gas
Phase Evaluation Tests.
5
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1997. Published December 1998. Originally The Tyler Ro-Tap Model RX-19-1 has been used in developing this test. Newer
published as D 2862 – 70. Last previous edition D 2862 – 92. models may not produce the same separations (Model RX-19-2 is equivalent to
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.01. Model RX-19-1). This model is available from Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. 15238.
4 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05. W. S. Tyler Model 1778-S.B. or equivalent has been found satisfactory.

1
 D 2862
was originally developed (Tyler model RX-19–1 or –2). In the retained in each sieve fraction from the particle size distribu-
case of newer devices being used, the tester should validate the tion analysis. See Table 1.
equivalency of the newer device to that of the ASTM standard P 5 R 3 N
tester (or its successors, for example, Tyler model RX-29) and
(P
retain the capability to cross check the results of particle size Effective MPD ~mm! 5 100
distribution analysis between the mechanical device described
above and any newer sieving system. where:
6. Sampling R 5 percent retained in a sieve fraction,
6.1 Collect and prepare the granular activated carbon N 5 factor for a given sieve fraction (Table
samples in accordance with Practice E 300. 1),
P 5 effective mean particle size of a given
7. Procedure sieve fraction, and
7.1 Stack the sieves to be used on the bottom receiver pan in Effective MPD 5 effective mean particle diameter of the
order of increasing sieve opening from bottom to top. sample.
7.2 Prepare a sample of activated carbon as follows: 8.3.1 See Table 2 for an example of effective MPD calcu-
7.2.1 Mix the gross sample, obtained by Practice E 300, by lation.
passing it through a single-stage riffle type sample splitter and 8.4 If effective size and uniformity coefficient are of inter-
recombining twice. Then pass the mixed sample through the est, they may be calculated as shown in Table 3 from the
riffle so as to obtain an approximate 250-mL of sample. cumulative total of the percent passing through each sieve.
7.2.2 Using the apparent density apparatus described in Test 8.4.1 Plot the cumulative percentages of the particle size
Method D 2854, obtain a test sample of 200 mL from each versus the size of the sieve openings in millimeters on
sample. If the apparent density is less than 0.35 g/cc, a 50 g probability–logarithmic graph paper (see Fig. 1). The sieve size
sample will be adequate, greater than 0.35 g/cc, use a sample openings can be obtained from Specification E 11. See Table 1.
not to exceed 100 g. In all cases, volume of the sample should 8.4.2 Determine the effective size by reading the screen size
not exceed 200 ml. opening in mm corresponding to the point where the curve
NOTE 2—If the apparent density of the sample has been determined, a intersects the 10 % passing value. See Fig. 1.
calculated weight of sample equivalent to 200 6 10 mL may be used for 8.4.3 Calculate the uniformity coefficient by reading the
each of the riffled samples. screen size opening in millimetres corresponding to the point
7.2.3 Weigh each sample to the nearest 0.1 g. where the curve intersects the 60 % passing value and dividing
7.3 . Transfer the weighed sample to the top sieve. this value by the effective size value from 8.4.2, for example:
7.4 Install the sieve cover and transfer the assembly to the value ~mm! @ 60 % intersection
uniformity coefficient 5 value ~mm! @ 10 % intersection
sieve shaker.
7.5 Allow the sieve assembly to shake for 10 min 6 10 s NOTE 3—The lower the uniformity coefficient value, the more uniform
with the hammer operating. the granular activated carbon. If all the particles were exactly the same
7.6 Remove the sieve assembly from the sieve shaker and size, the uniformity coefficient would be 1.
quantitatively transfer, using the sieve brush, the activated
carbon retained on the top sieve to a tared weighing pan and 9. Report
weigh to the nearest 0.1 g. Repeat this procedure for material 9.1 Report the following information:
retained on each sieve and the bottom receiver pan. 9.1.1 Source of the sample,
7.7 Repeat the analysis if desired. Use the repeatability 9.1.2 Type or grade designation,
tolerances listed in 10.1 as a guide for precision and bias. 9.1.3 Name of the carbon supplier,
8. Calculation
TABLE 1 Factors for Calculating the Effective Mean Particle
8.1 Add the weights of each sieve fraction; if the sum Diameter
deviates more than 2.0 g from the sample weight, the analyses
should be repeated. U.S.S. Mean Opening, U.S.S. Mean Opening,
Sieve No. (N) mm Sieve No. (N) mm
8.2 Calculate the particle size distribution of each sample to
the nearest 0.1 % and the average of the two samples to the +4 5.74 20 3 30 0.72
4 36 4.06 25 3 30 0.65
nearest 0.1 % as follows: 4 38 3.57 30 3 35 0.55
6 38 2.87 30 3 40 0.51
R 5 ~F/S! 3 100
8 3 10 2.19 35 3 40 0.46
8 3 12 2.03 40 3 45 0.39
where: 10 3 12 1.84 40 3 50 0.36
12 3 14 1.55 45 3 50 0.33
F 5 sieve fraction weight, 12 3 16 1.44 50 3 60 0.27
14 3 16 1.30 50 3 70 0.25
S 5 sum of sieve fraction weights, and 16 3 18 1.10 60 3 70 0.23
R 5 percent retained on each fraction. 16 3 20 1.02 70 3 80 0.19
8.3 If effective mean particle diameter is of interest, it may 18 3 20 0.92 70 3 100 0.18
20 3 25 0.78 80 3 100 0.16
be calculated from the following equation by using the percent
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 D 2862
TABLE 2 Example of Effective MPD Calculation Using 8 3 30 9.1.6 Particle size distribution,
Mesh MaterialAB
9.1.7 Report the weight of sample tested,
U.S.S. Percent Mean Opening Weighted 9.1.8 Effective mean particle diameter (optional),
Sieve No. Retained (mm) Average 9.1.9 Effective size (optional),
+8 8.0 2.87 23.0
8 3 12 31.4 2.03 63.7
9.1.10 Uniformity coefficient (optional),
12 3 16 27.2 1.44 39.2 9.1.11 Name of the agency and technician performing the
16 3 20 21.5 1.02 21.9 test, and
20 3 30 9.1 0.72 6.6
2.8 0.51 1.4 9.1.12 Sample identification number and date of the test.
100.0 155.8
A
10. Precision and Bias
155.8
Effective MPD ~mm! 5 5 1.558
B
100 10.1 Repeatability—Duplicate analyses by the same opera-
The mean particle size of each sieve fraction is assumed to be the average of
the sieve opening in millimetres through which the material has passed and the
tor should not be considered suspect unless they differ by more
sieve opening in millimetres on which the material was retained. In the case of than the amounts shown as follows:
particles larger than those measured, the mean particle size of this fraction is Repeatability Tolerances
assumed to be the average of the opening of the sieve actually used and that of Total Weight on Sieve, g Maximum Deviation, g
the next larger sieve in the =2 series. In the case of particles smaller than the 1 or less 0.2
opening of the smallest sieve, the mean particle size of this fraction is assumed to 1 to 5 0.5
be the average of the opening of the smallest sieve and that of the next smaller 5 to 10 1.0
sieve in the =2 series. See Table 1 for lists of the mean opening in millimetres for 10 to 100 2.0
various sieve fractions.
10.2 Reproducibility—Results submitted by each of two
TABLE 3 Effective Size and Uniformity Coefficient laboratories shall not be considered suspect unless they differ
by more than the amounts shown as follows:
Percent Cumulative Percent Repeatability Tolerances
U.S.S. Opening
Retained Passing through Total Weight on Sieve, g Maximum Deviation, g
Sieve No. (mm)
On Sieve Sieve 1 or less 0.3
8 2.36 8.0 92.0 1 to 5 0.7
12 1.70 31.4 60.6 5 to 10 1.5
16 1.18 27.2 33.4 10 to 100 3.0
20 0.85 21.5 11.9
30 0.60 9.1 2.8 NOTE 4—The repeatability and reproducibility in Section 10 were
−30 ... 2.8 0.0 determined under the conditions of the initial standard. The current
revision’s repeatability and reproducibility may not necessarily be the
same. The precision and bias of this revised test method will be
9.1.4 Supplier lot or batch number, or both, investigated.
9.1.5 Nominal particle size,

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 D 2862

FIG. 1 Cumulative Particle Size Distribution Curve

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