ASTM D4421

Volatile Matter in Petroleum Coke (Withdrawn)

Applicability: ASTM D4421 applied to both green (uncalcined) and calcined petroleum coke produced from delayed coking, fluid coking, and other petroleum refining processes, covering volatile matter contents typically ranging from 0.1% to 15% by mass on a dry basis. The method used a porcelain or graphite crucible procedure and was applicable across the range of commercial petroleum coke morphologies including sponge, shot, and needle coke. This standard has been withdrawn and its scope for green petroleum coke has been partially superseded by ASTM D6374, which specifies the quartz crucible procedure.

Purpose: ASTM D4421 determined the volatile matter content of petroleum coke by heating a weighed analysis sample in a covered crucible at 900°C for 7 minutes in a muffle furnace and calculating the loss in mass, corrected for moisture, as a percentage of the dry sample weight. Volatile matter content was used to characterize both green and calcined coke quality, predict calciner behavior and energy requirements, and assess the suitability of coke for use in carbon electrode and aluminum smelting anode manufacturing; the standard was widely referenced in commercial petroleum coke purchasing specifications prior to its formal withdrawal.