ASTM D388-19
(Classification)Standard Classification of Coals by Rank
Standard Classification of Coals by Rank
ABSTRACT
This specification 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. These coals are mainly composed of vitrinite. The classification shall be based on gradational properties that depend on the degree of metamorphism. The classification shall also be according to fixed carbon and gross calorific value calculated to the mineral-matter-free basis.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This classification establishes categories of coal based on gradational properties that depend principally on the degree of metamorphism to which the coal was subjected while buried. These categories indicate ranges of physical and chemical characteristics that are useful in making broad estimates of the behavior of coal in mining, preparation, and use.
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 D2798 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.
1.3 The accuracy 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.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4.1 Exception—The values stated in British thermal units per pound (Btu/lb) are to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents of Btu/lb are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:D388 −19
Standard Classification of
1
Coals by Rank
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D388; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This standard covers the classification of coals by rank,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
thatis,accordingtotheirdegreeofmetamorphism,orprogres-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
sive alteration, in the natural series from lignite to anthracite.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 This classification is applicable to coals that are com-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
posed mainly of vitrinite.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE1—Coalsrichininertiniteorliptinite(exinite),orboth,cannotbe
properly classified because, in those macerals, the properties that deter-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mine rank (calorific value, volatile matter, and agglomerating character)
D121Terminology of Coal and Coke
differgreatlyfromthoseofvitriniteinthesamecoal.Oftensuchcoalscan
be recognized by megascopic examination. In NorthAmerica, these coals D720/D720MTest Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
are mostly nonbanded varieties that contain only a small proportion of
D1412/D1412MTest Method for Equilibrium Moisture of
vitrain and consist mainly of attrital materials. The degree of metamor-
Coal at 96 to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30°C
phism of nonbanded and other vitrinite-poor coals can be estimated by
D2013/D2013MPractice for Preparing Coal Samples for
determining the classification properties of isolated or concentrated
Analysis
vitrinite fractions, or by determining the reflectance of the vitrinite (see
Test Method D2798 and Appendix X1 of this classification). However, in D2234/D2234MPractice for Collection of a Gross Sample
the use of these vitrinite-poor coals, some properties normally associated
of Coal
with rank, such as rheology, combustibility, hardness, and grindability (as
D2798Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the
well as the rank determining properties) may differ substantially from
Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
those of vitrinite-rich coals of the same degree of metamorphism.
D3172Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
1.3 Theaccuracyoftheclassificationofimpurecoalmaybe
D3173/D3173MTest Method for Moisture in the Analysis
impaired by the effect of large amounts of mineral matter on
Sample of Coal and Coke
the determination of volatile matter and calorific value, and on
D3174Test Method forAsh in theAnalysis Sample of Coal
their calculation to the mineral-matter-free basis.
and Coke from Coal
D3175Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information Sample of Coal and Coke
D3302/D3302MTest Method for Total Moisture in Coal
only.
D4239Test Method for Sulfur in the Analysis Sample of
1.4.1 Exception—The values stated in British thermal units
Coal and Coke Using High-Temperature Tube Furnace
per pound (Btu/lb) are to be regarded as the standard. The SI
Combustion
equivalentsofBtu/lbareprovidedforinformationonlyandare
D4596Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal
not considered standard.
in a Mine
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D5016Test Method for Total Sulfur in Coal and Coke
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Combustion Residues Using a High-Temperature Tube
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Furnace Combustion Method with Infrared Absorption
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
D5192Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
D5865Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and
Coke
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D05 on Coal
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.18 on Classification
2
of Coals. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2019.PublishedJuly2019.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D388–18a. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D0388-19. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 1942
...
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: D388 − 18a D388 − 19
Standard Classification of
1
Coals by Rank
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D388; 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 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 D2798 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 accuracy 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.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4.1 Exception—The values stated in British thermal units per pound (Btu/lb) are to be regarded as the standard. The SI
equivalents of Btu/lb are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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
D720/D720M Test Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
D1412/D1412M Test Method for Equilibrium Moisture of Coal at 96 to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30 °C
D2013/D2013M Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample of Coal
D2798 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
D3172 Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
D3173/D3173M Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke
D3174 Test Method for Ash in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke from Coal
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.18 on Classification of
Coals.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018June 1, 2019. Published November 2018July 2019. Originally approved in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as
D388 – 18.D388 – 18a. DOI: 10.1520/D0388-18A.10.1520/D0388-19.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Su
...
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