ASTM D388-99

Standard Classification of Coals by Rank

SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers the classification of coals by rank, that is, according to their degree of metamorphism, or progressive alteration, in the natural series from lignite to anthracite.
1.2 This classification is applicable to coals that are composed mainly of vitrinite.
Note 1—Coals rich in inertinite or liptinite (exinite), or both, cannot be properly classified because, in those macerals, the properties that determine rank (calorific value, volatile matter, and agglomerating character) differ greatly from those of vitrinite in the same coal. Often such coals can be recognized by megascopic examination. In North America, these coals are mostly nonbanded varieties that contain only a small proportion of vitrain and consist mainly of attrital materials. The degree of metamorphism of nonbanded and other vitrinite-poor coals can be estimated by determining the classification properties of isolated or concentrated vitrinite fractions, or by determining the reflectance of the vitrinite (see Test Method D 2798 and Appendix X1 of this classification). However, in the use of these vitrinite-poor coals, some properties normally associated with rank, such as rheology, combustibility, hardness, and grindability (as well as the rank determining properties) may differ substantially from those of vitrinite-rich coals of the same degree of metamorphism.
The precision of the classification of impure coal may be impaired by the effect of large amounts of mineral matter on the determination of volatile matter and calorific value, and on their calculation to the mineral-matter-free basis.
1.3 The values stated in British thermal units per pound are to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents of British thermal units per pound are approximate. All other values in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Sep-1999
• Technical Committee: D05 - Coal and Coke

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D388-99e1 - Standard Classification of Coals by Rank
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1999

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D 388 – 99
Standard Classification of
1
Coals by Rank
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 388; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (ε) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D2798 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of
the Reflectance of Vitrinite in a Polished Specimen of
1.1 This standard covers the classification of coals by rank,
2
Coal
thatis,accordingtotheirdegreeofmetamorphism,orprogres-
2
D3172 Practice for ProximateAnalysis of Coal and Coke
sive alteration, in the natural series from lignite to anthracite.
D3173 TestMethodforMoistureintheAnalysisSampleof
1.2 This classification is applicable to coals that are com-
2
Coal and Coke
posed mainly of vitrinite.
D3174 TestMethodforAshintheAnalysisSampleofCoal
NOTE 1—Coalsrichininertiniteorliptinite(exinite),orboth,cannotbe 2
and Coke from Coal
properly classified because, in those macerals, the properties that deter-
D3175 Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis
mine rank (calorific value, volatile matter, and agglomerating character)
2
Sample of Coal and Coke
differgreatlyfromthoseofvitriniteinthesamecoal.Oftensuchcoalscan
D3177 Test Methods for Total Sulfur in the Analysis
be recognized by megascopic examination. In NorthAmerica, these coals
2
Sample of Coal and Coke
are mostly nonbanded varieties that contain only a small proportion of
vitrain and consist mainly of attrital materials. The degree of metamor-
D3180 Practice for Calculating Coal and Coke Analyses
2
phism of nonbanded and other vitrinite-poor coals can be estimated by
from As-Determined to Different Bases
determining the classification properties of isolated or concentrated 2
D3302 Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
vitrinite fractions, or by determining the reflectance of the vitrinite (see
D4596 Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal
Test Method D2798 andAppendix X1 of this classification). However, in
2
in the Mine
the use of these vitrinite-poor coals, some properties normally associated
D5192 Practice for the Collection of Coal Samples from
with rank, such as rheology, combustibility, hardness, and grindability (as
2
well as the rank determining properties) may differ substantially from Core
those of vitrinite-rich coals of the same degree of metamorphism.
D5865 Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and
2
Coke
The precision of the classification of impure coal may be
impaired by the effect of large amounts of mineral matter on
3. Terminology
the determination of volatile matter and calorific value, and on
3.1 Definitions—For additional definitions of terms used in
their calculation to the mineral-matter-free basis.
this classification, refer to Terminology D121.
1.3 The values stated in British thermal units per pound are
3.1.1 agglomerating, adj—as applied to coal, the property
to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents of British
of softening when it is heated to above about 400°C in a
thermalunitsperpoundareapproximate.AllothervaluesinSI
nonoxidizing atmosphere, and then appearing as a coherent
units are to be regarded as standard.
mass after cooling to room temperature.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.2 apparent rank, n—of coal, the rank designation ob-
tained on samples other than channel samples or core samples
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
with 100% recovery, but otherwise conforming to procedures
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
2
of Classification D388.
D720 Test Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
3.1.3 coal seam, n—the stratum, layer, or bed of coal that
D1412 TestMethodforEquilibriumMoistureofCoalat96
2
lies between two other rock layers whose compositions differ
to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30°C
2
significantly from that of coal.
D1757 TestMethodforSulfurinAshfromCoalandCoke
2
3.2 Abbreviations:Abbreviations—Where it is desired to
D2013 Method of Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
2
abbreviate the designation of the ranks of coal, the following
D2234 Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample of Coal
abbreviations shall be used:
ma—meta-anthracite
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-5 on Coal
an—anthracite
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.18 on Classification
sa—semianthracite
of Coals.
lvb—low volatile bituminous
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1999. Published January 2000. Originally mvb—medium volatile bituminous
published as D388–34T. Last previous edition D388–98a. hvAb—high volatile A bituminous
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.06.
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