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D3684-01 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
ASTM D3684-01 (Reapproved 2006) is the standard test method for determining total mercury in coal using oxygen bomb combustion and atomic absorption analysis. This method is critical for environmental monitoring of mercury emissions from coal combustion.
🔬 Test Method Overview and Scope
The method applies to total mercury analysis in coal (Section 1.1). As summarized in Section 3.1, a weighed sample is combusted in an oxygen bomb with dilute nitric acid to absorb mercury vapors. The bomb rinsate is analyzed by flameless cold vapor atomic absorption. This ensures quantitative mercury retention representative of whole coal (Section 4.2). All values are in SI units per IEEE/ASTM SI 10 (Section 1.3).
⚙️ Apparatus and Specifications
The combustion bomb must withstand a hydrostatic pressure of 20 MPa (3000 psig) without elastic deformation and be made of materials unaffected by combustion (Section 5.1). A water bath with constant flow dissipates heat (Section 5.2). Crucibles must be open and made of platinum, quartz, or base-metal alloy (Section 5.3). Firing wires are specified in Section 5.4:
| 🟦 Wire Material | 📏 B&S Gauge | 🎯 Diameter (mm) | ⚡ Length (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel-Chromium Alloy | No. 34 | 0.160 | 100 |
| Iron | No. 34 | 0.160 | 100 |
| Platinum | No. 38 | 0.101 | 100 |
The bomb must also meet these specifications:
| 🟦 Parameter | 📏 Value |
|---|