Proficiency Testing Program applies to petroleum coke.

ASTM International Feb 28, 2012

Press Release Summary:

ASTM's Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) on Petroleum Coke enables laboratories to compare, improve, and maintain performance in use of ASTM tests on commercial calcined and green petroleum coke. Program offers statistical QA tool to monitor strengths and weaknesses of laboratory performance in conducting testing; resources needed to satisfy proficiency testing elements of laboratory accreditation; as well as periodic comparison of test results with other participating laboratories.

Original Press Release:

ASTM International Announces New Proficiency Testing Program on Petroleum Coke

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.-ASTM International's new Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) on Petroleum Coke provides laboratories with a statistical quality assurance tool, enabling them to compare, improve and maintain a high level of performance in the use of ASTM tests on commercial calcined and green petroleum coke with other laboratories worldwide.

ASTM's Proficiency Test Program provides you with:

A useful and meaningful statistical quality assurance tool to monitor the strengths and weaknesses of your laboratory's performance in conducting testing;

The resource you need to satisfy proficiency testing elements of laboratory accreditation; and

A periodic comparison of test results with other participating laboratories.

For the Petroleum Coke PTP samples, test instructions and data report forms are distributed electronically to each participant on the date samples are distributed. Labs have approximately eight weeks to submit test data with the final statistical summary reports being electronically distributed in approximately 25 business days. All data and related information generated from the program is coded to maintain lab confidentiality.

Test materials that will be distributed during the course of the year include four samples, including two calcined and two green petroleum coke samples. Approximately 500g of test material will be provided to each participant for each test cycle.

Some of the ASTM test methods that will be included in the PTP are:

ASTM D1552, Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (High-Temperature Method);

ASTM D2638, Test Method for Real Density of Calcined Petroleum Coke by Helium Pycnometer;

ASTM D4292, Test Method for Determination of Vibrated Bulk Density of Calcined Petroleum Coke;

ASTM D4422, Test Method for Ash in Analysis of Petroleum Coke;

ASTM D4931, Test Method for Gross Moisture in Green Petroleum Coke;

ASTM D5056, Test Method for Trace Metals in Petroleum Coke by Atomic Absorption;

ASTM D5600, Test Method for Trace Metals in Petroleum Coke by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES);

ASTM D5709, Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Petroleum Coke;

ASTM D6376, Test Method for Determination of Trace Metals in Petroleum Coke by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy; and

ASTM D6374, Test Method for Volatile Matter in Green Petroleum Coke Quartz Crucible Procedure.

Petroleum Coke Proficiency Testing Programs are scheduled for January, April, July and October. The annual fee is $660 USD (which includes just three cycles in 2012).

For additional information, visit www.astm.org/ptpcoke or contact ptp@astm.org.

ASTM International is one of the largest international standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for the development of international standards: coherence, consensus, development dimension, effectiveness, impartiality, openness, relevance and transparency. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems and commercial transactions.