Ohio Lumex supported sorbent tube method becomes ASTM D8640-26
CLEVELAND, Ohio — ASTM International has published ASTM D8640-26, Standard Test Method for Measurement of Metals in Gaseous Fuels Using Sorbent Tubes. The new standard establishes a dedicated method for measuring trace metals in biogas, Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and other gaseous fuels at concentrations ranging from low parts per billion to parts per million.
The method collects both particle-bound and gas-phase metal compounds using a quartz filter and treated sorbent material. After sampling, the tubes are analyzed using inductively coupled plasma techniques such as ICP-MS. Arsenic and antimony are among the metals typically measured, while copper, lead and additional metals such as cadmium and chromium may also be analyzed when the standard’s data-quality requirements are met.
Publication of ASTM D8640-26 represents an important step for an industry that has historically relied on EPA Method 29, a method originally developed for combustion-source emissions rather than gaseous fuels. Ohio Lumex developed the compact Gaseous Fuels Metals Sorbent Trap to simplify onsite sample collection, improve method accuracy, be less susceptible to contamination, reduce cost, and eliminate the mixing and shipping of hazardous materials associated with EPA Method 29.
“ASTM D8640-26 gives the gaseous fuels industry a method developed specifically to address the unique needs of the gaseous fuels industry,” said Bennett Rubin, Vice President of Gaseous Fuels at Ohio Lumex. “For RNG producers, pipelines, utilities and technology providers, this means a more practical, reliable and cost-effective approach to obtaining the metals data needed for gas-quality compliance and process evaluation.”
The standard builds on years of method development, laboratory work, and field evaluation supporting the use of sorbent tubes for metals measurement. With its publication, producers and other gaseous-fuels stakeholders now have a standardized approach for evaluating metals in product gas and assessing the performance of treatment and upgrading systems.
