ASTM D6374

Volatile Matter in Green Petroleum Coke Quartz Crucible Procedure

Applicability: ASTM D6374 applies to green (uncalcined) petroleum coke produced from delayed or fluid coking processes, covering volatile matter contents typically in the range of 5% to 15% by mass on an air-dried basis. The method specifically requires the use of a quartz crucible — rather than the porcelain crucible used in ASTM D3175 — to eliminate catalytic effects from silicates and metal oxides that could alter volatile matter measurements at the 900°C test temperature. It is not applicable to calcined petroleum coke, coal, or other carbonaceous materials.

Purpose: ASTM D6374 determines the volatile matter content of green petroleum coke by heating a weighed analysis sample in a covered quartz crucible at 900°C for 7 minutes in a standardized muffle furnace and calculating the loss in mass, corrected for moisture, as a percentage of the dry sample weight. Volatile matter is a direct indicator of the degree of thermal cracking and carbonization maturity of the petroleum coke; this parameter controls calcination furnace operating conditions, predicts shrinkage and densification behavior during calcination, and is used as a primary acceptance criterion in commercial petroleum coke purchasing specifications.