SPECIFICATION FOR POWDERED
ACTIVATED CARBON
SPECIFICATION FOR POWDERED ACTIVATED CARBON
GENERAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NUMBER
1 Ambient Conditions 6bo - 2
2 Suitability for Potable Water 6bo - 2
3 Definitions 6bo - 2
4 Inspection and Testing 6bo - 2
5 Marking 6bo - 3
6 Protection during Delivery 6bo - 3
7 Storing handling and hauling of Materials 6bo - 3
8 Manufacturer's Certificate 6bo - 3
9 Quality and workmanship 6bo - 4
10 Technical Specifications 6bo - 5 6bo - 8
NWSDB/Specification for Powdered Activated Carbon 6bo - 1
CAPC:MPC :DPC:PPC:RPC – August 2019
GENERAL
1 Ambient Conditions
All materials shall be in every respect suitable for storage, use and operation in the
conditions of temperature and humidity appertaining in Sri Lanka.
The annual average temperature is 35 C while the relative humidity varies generally
from 70% during the day to 90% at night.
2 Suitability for Potable Water
Powdered Activated carbon will come into contact with potable water shall not
constitute a toxic hazard, shall not support microbial growth, and shall be suitable for
human consumption.
3 Definitions
The definitions given in the relevant standards which are referred to in the
specification shall apply for the terms used in this specification.
4 Inspection and Testing
The Manufacturer/ Supplier shall supply, furnish and prepare the necessary test
samples of materials and supply labour facilities and appliances for such testing as
may be required to be carried out in his premises according to this specification. If
there are no facilities at his own works for performing the prescribed tests, the
Contractor/ Supplier shall bear the cost of carrying out all those tests in an accredited
laboratory acceptable to the Purchaser/ Employer.
The Engineer and nominated Inspection Agency shall have full access to all parts of
the plant that are concerned with the manufacturing, testing, furnishing, preparation of
materials for the performance and testing under this Specification.
The Manufacturer/ Supplier shall furnish the Engineer with reasonable facilities and
space (without any cost to the Employer/ Purchaser) for the inspection, testing and
obtaining of such information, as he desires regarding the character of material in use
and the progress and manner of the work.
Further all materials shall be tested to the appropriate tests at the manufacturer’s
premises and shall be supported by a test certificate from the manufacturer.
The format for test certificate shall be in accordance with the format given in the
schedule of particulars and test results shall be submitted in these format.
The Manufacturer/ Supplier shall be held responsible for the assuring the quality of
the goods supplied by him up to the final delivery point. Potassium Permanganate is
tested at the Purchaser’s/ Employer’s final delivery point by the Purchaser/ Employer
and goods shall conform to the relevant standard and to this specification for the
acceptance.
NWSDB/Specification for Powdered Activated Carbon 6bo - 2
CAPC:MPC :DPC:PPC:RPC – August 2019
Contractor is held responsibility for the assuring quality of the goods supplied by him
until the final delivery point. Powder Activated Carbon is tested at the Employer’s
final delivery point by the Engineer and goods shall conform to the standard for the
acceptance.
5. Marking
All markings shall be legible and durable unless otherwise specified and shall be as
specified in this Specification.
6. Protection During Delivery
The contractor shall provide protection to the approval of the Engineer, prior to the
materials leaving the place of manufacture and shall maintain such protection until the
items reach their destination in order to guard effectively against damage during
transit and storage and the ingress of foreign matter inside the packages.
All details of the proposed method of providing such protection shall be submitted at
the time of tendering.
The cost of providing protection shall be included in the unit prices tendered in the
Bills of Quantities.
7. Storing, Handling and Hauling of Materials.
All materials shall be stored in an approved location and in such a manner as to
preserve their quality and condition.
Storage shall be in accordance with the manufacturers recommendation and shall be
stored in a dry place with a proper packing.
Materials and components shall be handled in such a manner as to avoid any damage
or contamination and in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturers.
The contractor shall give instructions to the shipper on precautions to be taken in the
handling of materials during loading, towage delivery and unloading and shall give
particulars of these instructions to the purchaser.
8. Manufacturer’s Certificate
The Contractor shall supply to the Engineer a certificate stating that each item
supplied has been subjected to the tests laid down herein and conforms in all respects
to this Specification or such other Specification which has been submitted to and
approved by the Engineer. In addition to this, contractor shall provide certificate for
the conformity to the Standard (BSEN 12903:2009) from an independent testing
agency mentioned in General conditions of contract. Testing at Manufacturers factory
by the Engineer will perform as specified.
NWSDB/Specification for Powdered Activated Carbon 6bo - 3
CAPC:MPC :DPC:PPC:RPC – August 2019
9. Quality and Workmanship
The Bidder shall provide ISO 9001 : 2015 Quality Management System requirement
certificate for Quality Assurance for the goods manufacturing factory from an
accredited agency for Powdered Activated Carbon. Accredited Agency shall be a
member of International Accredited Forum (IAF) and shall have the authority for the
accreditation of mentioned goods in their scope of accreditation. Scope of the
production shall be clearly specified in the certificate. Manufacturer shall maintain the
validity of this certificate during the contract Period. If the supply is made from
several factories, ISO 9001 : 2015 certificates for quality management system
requirement shall be submitted for each factory.
.
NWSDB/Specification for Powdered Activated Carbon 6bo - 4
CAPC:MPC :DPC:PPC:RPC – August 2019
10.0 Technical Specification for Powdered Activated Carbon
10.1 General
All materials to be supplied under this contract shall conform to BSEN 12903:2009
and chemicals used for treatment of water shall be suitable for human consumption.
Supplier shall provide documentary evidence of compliance with the International
Standards to the effect that Powdered Activated Carbon is of food grade quality.
10.2 Physical Properties
10.2.1 Appearance
The product is a black powder.
10.2.2 Particle size
At least a mass fraction of 95% shall have a particle size less than 150 µm.
10.3 Activated Carbon shall be in wood base and shall confirm to the requirement
given in table1.
Table1.
Parameter Analysis Unit
Bulk Density 0.33 – 0.35 g/cc
Absolute density 2.1 g/cc
Moisture content (max%) 5 wt%
Ash content (max%) 15 wt%
Methylene blue No 180
mg/g
(Minimum)
Iodine No. (minimum) 1200 mg/g
10.4 Other Requirements
10.4.1 Purity Criteria
The product shall confirm to the requirements specified in table 2.
Table 2
Impurity Limit in mass fraction (%)
Ash : max 15
Water (at the time of packing) max. 5
Water soluble material max. 3
Zinc max 0.002
NWSDB/Specification for Powdered Activated Carbon 6bo - 5
CAPC:MPC :DPC:PPC:RPC – August 2019
10.4.2 Water extractable substances
The product shall conform to the requirement specified in table 3.
Table 3
Limit in product
Substance
(dry basis) mg/kg
Arsenic (As) max. 10
Cadmium (Cd) max. 5
Chromium(Cr) max. 50
Mercury (Hg) max 1
Nickel (Np) max. 20
Lead (Pb) max. 10
Antimony (Sb) max. 5
Selinium (Se) max 10
Cyanide (CN) max. 50
PAH 0.2
10.5 Transport and Storage
10.5.1 Means of delivery
The product shall be delivered in paper sacks (10kg each bag) or polypropylene bags
(25 kg each bag) with suitable inner linings. In order that the purity of the product is
not effected the means of delivery shall not have been used previously for different
product or it shall have been specially cleaned and prepared before use.
10.5.2 Storage
Product shall storage be kept away from oxidants.
(eg. Hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, chlorates, Nitrates, Volatile
solvents and moisture).
10.6 Marking and Labeling
Each package shall be marked legibly and indelibly with following information:
(Letter height shall be 50 mm)
a) The name: “Powdered Activated Carbon”.
b) Name and address of the manufacturer and local agent including country
of Manufacturer.
c) Registered Trade mark.
NWSDB/Specification for Powdered Activated Carbon 6bo - 6
CAPC:MPC :DPC:PPC:RPC – August 2019
d) Net mass, in Kg.
e) Type and Grade
f) Employer’s/Purchaser’s Name as ‘NWSDB’
g) Conformity to standard as “BSEN 12903:2009”
h) Date of manufacture & Date of expiry.
i) Contract No.
j) Batch or code number.
10.7 Sampling & Testing
10.7.1 Prepare the laboratory sample(s) required by the relevant procedures described in
BSEN 12902:2004.
10.7.2 Testing
The following tests shall be carried out to determine the physical & chemical
properties of the Powdered Activated Carbon in accordance with EN 12902:2004.
[Link] Physical properties
1. Particle size distribution
2. Bulk density
[Link] Chemical properties
1. Ash
2. Water content
3. Water-soluble material
4. Content of Zinc
5. Water-extractable substances
6. Iodine number
10.8. Safe handling and use
It is recommended to handle the product so as to avoid dust formation.
Powdered activated carbon preferentially removes oxygen from air. In closed or
partially closed containers and vessels, oxygen depletion can reach hazardous levels.
If workers are to enter a vessel containing carbon, appropriate sampling and work
procedures for potentially low-oxygen areas should be followed.
Certain types of chemically activated carbon might have special requirements for
transport and storage in bulk, advice should be sought from the manufacturer.
Local regulations can require transfer equipment to be electrically grounded to avoid
ignition/explosion of dust by discharge of static electricity.
NWSDB/Specification for Powdered Activated Carbon 6bo - 7
CAPC:MPC :DPC:PPC:RPC – August 2019
10.9 Emergency procedures
10.9.1 First aid
In case of skin contact, it is recommended to wash with soap and water.
In case of eye contact, it is recommended to flush with plenty of water for 15 min.
In case of inhalation, it is recommended to move to fresh air.
10.9.2 Spillage
It is recommended to sweep or to vacuum unused carbon and to discard in a refuse
container or repackage.
10.9.3 Fire
Any extinguishing media can be used, it is recommended to use foam extinguishers.
Self-contained breathing apparatus should be worn because carbon dioxide and
carbon monoxide can be produced during combustion.
NWSDB/Specification for Powdered Activated Carbon 6bo - 8
CAPC:MPC :DPC:PPC:RPC – August 2019
