Michael F Tschantz <mft2@meadwestvaco.com> 

11/18/2005 02:38 PM	

To	Michael Samulski/AA/USEPA/US@EPA

cc	Craig J Pierson <cjp10@meadwestvaco.com>

Subject		Re: Carbon Specs

	

Mike:  I am attaching the MeadWestvaco SOP for determining pellet
strength for the marine carbon -- it is a modification of the ASTM
D3802-79 Ball Pan Hardness Test.  I also want to give you some
additional information regarding how the humidity tests were made.  The
piece of equipment utilized was made by Quantachrome
(http://www.quantachrome.com/Hydrosorb.htm) -- I'm attaching a brochure
on the device. 

The equipment basically consists of: 

- A water reservoir that may be heated and is connected to a small
temperature controlled open manifold by tubing.   

- The manifold is connected to:  (1) the water reservoir above, (2) a
vacuum pump, (3) the carbon sample chamber, and (4) a highly accurate
pressure monitor 

- Actuated valves are in the lines leading to the water reservoir, the
vacuum pump, and the sample chamber 

The humidity measurements are made by: 

- A sample of carbon (40-50 mg) is completely dried and placed in the
~10 cc sample chamber and held at 25°C 

- All valves are closed. 

- The water reservoir is heated to a relatively high temperature (e.g.
98°C) and the sample chamber is maintained at a desired temperature (in
this case 25°C) 

- The valve leading from the manifold to the sample chamber is closed,
and the valves between the manifold and water reservoir plus vacuum pump
are opened.  The water reservoir and manifold are evacuated to remove
air.   

- The valve leading to the vacuum pump is closed.  The valve between the
water reservoir and the manifold is opened (with control) until the
pressure in the manifold reaches some desired pressure (for instance,
equal to the partial pressure of water at 100% RH and 25°C in air). 

- The valve between the manifold and the water reservoir is closed. 

- The valve between the manifold and the sample chamber is opened.  This
allows the fixed mass of water vapor in the manifold to enter the sample
chamber and equilibrate with the carbon.  Since the volume of the
manifold and sample chamber is known, as well as the weight of the
carbon, the amount of moisture that adsorbs onto the carbon is monitored
by the subsequent reduction of system pressure in the manifold.  The
equilibrium mass of carbon (per unit weight of carbon) is recorded as a
function of the established pressure. 

- The valve to the carbon sample is closed and the process is repeated
until there is no further pressure loss in the system as a result of
adsorption (which is equivalent to no further weight gain at the maximum
humidity allowed into the manifold). 

- A trace is made of adsorption capacity of water onto the carbon versus
water vapor partial pressure (can be converted to relative humidity) is
constructed.  The adsorption capacity at 90% RH is used for the
specification.

We can discuss the procedure if you need further details;  but please do
not hesitate to call me if you have any questions at all. 

Best regards, 

Mike 

Please see attached. 

TO:		C. J. Pierson

FROM:	M. F. Tschantz

DATE:		August 31, 2005

SUBJECT:	Preliminary 3 mm SeaGuard™ Specifications

Preliminary specifications for 3 mm SeaGuard™ have been completed and
are listed below.  Please let me know if you have any questions or
comments.

Preliminary 3 mm SeaGuard™ Specifications

Attribute	Specification	Procedure

Butane Working Capacity	9 g/100 mL minimum	ASTM D-5228

Apparent Density	0.35 g/cc maximum	ASTM D-2854

Pellet Strength	85% minimum	MWV SOP 960-130 modified

Moisture	5% maximum	ASTM D-2867

Mean Particle Diameter	3.1 mm minimum	ASTM D-2862

Particle Size Distribution

+5 mesh

-12 mesh

-60 mesh	

10% maximum

2% maximum

0.5% maximum	

ASTM D-2862

ASTM D-2862

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e holder, and analyzing moisture adsorption at 25°C.  Water is dosed
into a sample manifold from a reservoir held at 100°C to prevent
condensation on any surface but the sample.  Moisture adsorption is
measured over a range of relative humidities spanning 90%.

