Significance and Use

Sulfur oxide gases are produced during the combustion of materials containing sulfur. These gases are precursors of atmospheric sulfuric acid, which has been shown to be injurious to living creatures and plants, as well as some inanimate materials such as metals, limestone and sandstone building materials.

Sulfur dioxide is moderately toxic and strongly phytotoxic to many species. Permissible ambient levels of SO ₂ have been established by law.

When it is necessary to establish whether ambient air concentrations of sulfuric acid precursors, such as sulfur oxides, are present and to comply with legal criteria, manual and automatic monitoring systems specific for the individual sulfur species are used. Likely locations for monitoring sites for the estimation of concentrations and concentration trends over long periods of time can be screened conveniently using the PbO ₂ candles or sulfation plates.

Atmospheric corrosion of metallic materials is a function of many weather and atmospheric variables. The effect of specific corrodants, such as SO ₂ , can accelerate the atmospheric corrosion of metals or structures significantly. The PbO ₂ candle and sulfation plate test methods provide simple techniques to monitor SO ₂ levels in the atmosphere independently to yield a weighted average result.

The results of these test methods are useful for characterizing atmospheric corrosion test sites regarding the effective average concentrations of SO ₂ in the atmosphere at these locations.

These test methods are useful for determining microclimatic seasonal and long-term variations in effective average SO ₂ concentrations.

The results of these test methods may be used in correlations of atmospheric corrosion rates with atmosphere data to determine the sensitivity of the corrosion rate to the SO ₂ level.

These test methods may also be used with other test methods to characterize the atmosphere at sites at which buildings or other construction are planned in order to determine the extent of protective measures required for the materials of construction.

1. Scope

1.1 These test methods describe the evaluation of the total sulfation activity in the atmosphere. Because of its oxidizing power, lead dioxide (PbO ₂ ) converts not only sulfur dioxide (SO ₂ ), but other compounds, such as mercaptans and hydrogen sulfide, into sulfate. It fixes sulfur trioxide and sulfuric acid mist present in the atmosphere (see Note 1).

1.2 Test Method A describes the use of a PbO ₂ candle, and Test Method B describes that of a PbO ₂ sulfation plate.

1.3 These test methods provide a weighted average effective SO ₂ level for a 30-day interval.

1.4 The results of these test methods correlate approximately with volumetric SO ₂ concentrations, although the presence of dew or condensed moisture tends to enhance the capture of SO ₂ onto the candle or plate.

1.5 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as the standard. The values given in brackets are for information only and may be approximate.

Note 1It has been shown that the rate constant of the chemical reaction between SO ₂ and PbO ₂ is independent of the concentration of SO ₂ up to levels of 1000 ppm(v), if 15 % or less of the PbO ₂ has been reduced (1) . 15 % of the PbO ₂ is equivalent to 11 to 12 mg of SO ₂ /cm ² per day.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 8.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D516 Test Method for Sulfate Ion in Water

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres

D1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient Atmosphere

G91 Practice for Monitoring Atmospheric SO2 Deposition Rate for Atmospheric Corrosivity Evaluation

Keywords

atmospheres; Huey plates; lead dioxide; lead dioxide candles; sampling; sulfation; sulfation plates; sulfur dioxide; Atmospheric analysis; Gases (atmospheric); Lead dioxide technique; Specimen preparation (for testing)--atmospheric analysis; Sulfation (total); Sulfuric acid; Sulfur oxide gases; Total sulfation;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.040.20 (Ambient atmospheres)

DOI: 10.1520/D2010_D2010M-98R10

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D2010 / D2010M