ASTM D4596-22

Standard Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal in a Mine

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 A properly collected face channel sample that includes the total coal bed interval provides a sample that is a representative cross section of the coal bed at the point of sampling. Channel samples are taken for subsequent testing needed for evaluation of coal quality and characterization for commercial evaluations, for planning of mining operations to maintain coal quality, for the determination of coal rank in accordance with Classification D388, and for geologic coal resource studies.  
Note 1: Because of the potential for lateral variability, a sample may not represent the quality of the coal bed at another sample point. The reliability of the data generated from channel samples is dependent on the number and spacing of the sample points and the variability of the coal characteristics in a given area.
Note 2: Sampling of the mine product for these purposes is unsatisfactory because of contamination of the product with out-of-seam material, selective mining of parts of a seam, inability to obtain samples from one or more specific locations in the mine, or other incompatibility of the purpose of sampling with the mining practice. Conversely, channel samples should not be used for evaluation of the quality of commercial shipments of the mine product, which should be sampled in accordance with Methods D2234/D2234M.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes procedures for collecting a coal sample from a channel extending from top to bottom in the face of a coal seam in a mine.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary information, see Note 2.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-May-2022
• ICS: 73.040 - Coals
• Technical Committee: D05 - Coal and Coke
• Drafting Committee: D05.23 - Sampling

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4596 − 22
Standard Practice for
1
Collection of Channel Samples of Coal in a Mine
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4596; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Summary of Practice
1.1 This practice describes procedures for collecting a coal 3.1 At selected sites in the mine, the face of the seam is
samplefromachannelextendingfromtoptobottomintheface cleaned of weathered coal and debris and the face is evened.A
of a coal seam in a mine. channel of uniform horizontal cross section is cut from the coal
seam and the coal therefrom is collected for analysis and
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
testing.
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 A properly collected face channel sample that includes
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the total coal bed interval provides a sample that is a repre-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sentative cross section of the coal bed at the point of sampling.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Channel samples are taken for subsequent testing needed for
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
evaluation of coal quality and characterization for commercial
For specific precautionary information, see Note 2.
evaluations, for planning of mining operations to maintain coal
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
quality, for the determination of coal rank in accordance with
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Classification D388, and for geologic coal resource studies.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
NOTE 1—Because of the potential for lateral variability, a sample may
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
not represent the quality of the coal bed at another sample point. The
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
reliability of the data generated from channel samples is dependent on the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
number and spacing of the sample points and the variability of the coal
characteristics in a given area.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 2—Sampling of the mine product for these purposes is unsatis-
factory because of contamination of the product with out-of-seam
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
material, selective mining of parts of a seam, inability to obtain samples
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
from one or more specific locations in the mine, or other incompatibility
D388 Classification of Coals by Rank
of the purpose of sampling with the mining practice. Conversely, channel
samples should not be used for evaluation of the quality of commercial
D5192 Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
shipments of the mine product, which should be sampled in accordance
D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample
with Methods D2234/D2234M.
of Coal
D2796 Terminology for Megascopic Description of Coal
5. Apparatus
and Coal Seams and Microscopical Description and
3 5.1 Steel Measuring Tape, not less than3m(8ft) long.
Analysis of Coal (Withdrawn 1995)
D4371 Test Method for Determining the Washability Char- 5.2 Miner’s Pick or Similar Tool, with file for sharpening.
Other devices may be used such as a pneumatically operated
acteristics of Coal
chain saw with tungsten carbide teeth.
5.3 Brush or Broom, for removing loose particles on the
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and
coal face.
Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.23 on Sampling.
5.4 Chalk.
Current edition approved May 15, 2022. Published June 2022. Originally
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D4596 – 09(2015).
5.5 Sample Containers With Closures—Ifthesampleistobe
DOI: 10.1520/D4596-22.
2
used for determination of inherent moisture, the container shall
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
be such that less than 0.05 % of the sample weight is lost
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
between the time of sealing the container with sample and the
the ASTM website.
3
time of opening for preparation of the sample for analysis
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4596 − 09 (Reapproved 2015) D4596 − 22
Standard Practice for
1
Collection of Channel Samples of Coal in a Mine
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4596; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes procedures for collecting a coal sample from a channel extending from top to bottom in the face of
a coal seam in a mine.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.3 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary information, see Note 2.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
D388 Classification of Coals by Rank
D5192 Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample of Coal
D2796 Terminology for Megascopic Description of Coal and Coal Seams and Microscopical Description and Analysis of Coal
3
(Withdrawn 1995)
D4371 Test Method for Determining the Washability Characteristics of Coal
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 At selected sites in the mine, the face of the seam is cleaned of weathered coal and debris and the face is evened. A channel
of uniform horizontal cross section is cut from the coal seam and the coal therefrom is collected for analysis and testing.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 A properly collected face channel sample that includes the total coal bed interval provides a sample that is a representative
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.23 on Sampling.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2015May 15, 2022. Published September 2015June 2022. Originally published approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in
20092015 as D4596 – 09.D4596 – 09(2015). DOI: 10.1520/D4596-09R15.10.1520/D4596-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4596 − 22
cross section of the coal bed at the point of sampling. Channel samples are taken for subsequent testing needed for evaluation of
coal quality and characterization for commercial evaluations, for planning of mining operations to maintain coal quality, for the
determination of coal rank in accordance with Classification D388, and for geologic coal resource studies.
NOTE 1—Because of the potential for lateral variability, a sample may not represent the quality of the coal bed at another sample point. The reliability
of the data generated from channel samples is dependent on the number and spacing of the sample points and the variability of the coal characteristics
in a given area.
NOTE 2—Sampling of the mine product for these purposes is unsatisfactory because of contamination of the product with out-of-seam material, selective
mining of parts of a seam, inability to obtain samples from one or more specific locations in the mine, or other incompatibility of the purpose of sampling
with the mining practice. Conversely, channel samples should not be used for evaluation of the quality of commercial shipments of the mine product,
which should be sampled in accordance with Methods D2234/D2234M.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Steel Measuring Tape, not less than 3 m (8 ft) long.
5.2 Miner’s Pick or Simil
...