ASTM D5192-99(2004)e1

Standard Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core

SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes procedures for collecting and handling a coal sample from a core recovered from a borehole.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2004
• ICS: 73.040 - Coals
• Technical Committee: D05 - Coal and Coke

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5192-99(2004) - Standard Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Replaced By: ASTM D5192-07 - Standard Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3176-15 - Standard Practice for Ultimate Analysis of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D6796-21e1 - Standard Practice for Production of Coal, Coke and Coal Combustion Samples for Interlaboratory Studies
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D388-23 - Standard Classification of Coals by Rank
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D7569/D7569M-10(2015)e1 - Standard Practice for Determination of Gas Content of Coal—Direct Desorption Method
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D121-15 - Standard Terminology of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D3172-13(2021)e1 - Standard Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D5671-20 - Standard Practice for Polishing and Etching Coal Samples for Microscopical Analysis by Reflected Light
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D4596-22 - Standard Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal in a Mine
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2004

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
e1
Designation:D5192–99(Reapproved 2004)
Standard Practice for
Collection of Coal Samples from Core
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5192; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Sections 3.1.5.1, 6.7 and Note 2 were editorially corrected in June 2006.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This practice describes procedures for collecting and 3.1 Definitions—For additional definitions of terms, refer to
handling a coal sample from a core recovered from a borehole. Terminology D 121.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 3.1.1 borehole, n—the circular hole through soil and rock
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information strata made by boring.
only. 3.1.2 caves or washouts, n—zones of increased hole diam-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the eter caused by rock fragments that fall from the walls of a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the borehole and can block the hole or contaminate the cuttings
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- and which erode or abrade the sidewall of the borehole by the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- action of the drilling. These zones can affect the accuracy of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. certain geophysical logs (especially density). Corrections to
other geophysical logs can be made if a caliper log is available.
2. Referenced Documents
The most common causes of caves or washouts include soft or
2.1 ASTM Standards: fractured lithologies, the presence of water-producing zones,
D 121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
and the downhole pressure of the drilling medium (fluid or air)
D 388 Classification of Coals by Rank thatoftencausesdifferentialerosionofvariousstratawithinthe
D 1412 Test Method for Equilibrium Moisture of Coal at 96
borehole.
to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30°C 3.1.3 concretion, n—in a geological sense, a mass of min-
D 2013 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
eral matter found in rock of a composition different from its
D 2796 Terminology Relating to Megascopic Description
own and produced by deposition from aqueous solution in the
of Coal and Coal Seams and Microscopical Description rock.
and Analysis of Coal
3.1.4 core,n—indrilling,acylindricalsectionofrock(coal)
D 4371 Test Method for Determining the Washability Char- that is usually 5 to 10 cm in diameter, taken as part of the
acteristics of Coal
interval penetrated by a core bit and brought to the surface for
D 4596 Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal geologic examination, representative sampling, and laboratory
in a Mine
analyses.
3.1.5 core barrels, n—two nested tubes above the bit of a
coredrill,theouterrotatingwiththebit,theinnerreceivingand
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and preserving a continuous section or core of the material pen-
Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.18 on Classification of
etrated.Thefollowingtwotypesofinnerbarrelsarecommonly
Coals.
used.
Current edition approved April 1, 2004. Published May 2004. Originally
3.1.5.1 split-tubebarrel,n—atypeofinnerbarrelconsisting
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D 5192 – 99.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
oftwolongitudinalhalvesofpipeboundtogetherbyreinforced
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
tape at intervals along the barrel length that allows easy access
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
to a relatively intact core (by cutting the tape). (This is the
the ASTM website.
Withdrawn. preferred barrel type for coal exploration, when available.)
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D5192–99 (2004)
3.1.5.2 solid-tube barrel, n—a type of inner barrel consist- log types. The logs are affected by casing, logging speed,
ing of a single solid-walled length of pipe in which removal of electrode spacing, formation porosity, and resistivity changes
in the borehole fluid.
the core is accomplished by mechanical or hydraulic pressure
at one end of the pipe thus extruding the core onto a core tray.
3.1.8 floor, n—the rock material immediately underlying a
(Thecoreislikelytobelessintactthanwhenasplit-tubebarrel
coal bed.
is used.)
3.1.9 roof, n—the rock material immediately overlying a
3.1.6 core sample, n—that part of a core of rock or coal coal bed.
obtained so as to accurately represent a thickness of a unit
3.1.10 sonde, n—an elongate cylindrical tool assembly used
penetrating by drilling. in a borehole to acquire a geophysical log.
3.1.7 geophysical log, n—a graphic record of the measured
4. Summary of Practice
or computed physical characteristics of the rock section en-
countered in a borehole, plotted as a continuous function of
4.1 Atselectedsitesinadepositofcoal,aboreholeisdrilled
depth. Measurements are made by a sonde, which contains the
and the core containing the coal and surrounding strata of rock
detectors, as it is withdrawn from the borehole by a wire line.
is recovered.
Several measurements are usually made simultaneously, and
4.2 The coal core is cleaned of drilling fluid, if necessary,
the resulting curves are displayed side by side on the common
properly described, and packaged so that loss of moisture is
depth scale. A common suite of logs used in coal exploration
minimized. From this core, coal and roof and floor material of
include caliper, density (gamma-gamma), natural gamma, and
interest are collected for analysis and testing.
resistivity.
3.1.7.1 caliper log, n—a continuous mechanical measure-
5. Significance and Use
ment of the diameter and thus the rugosity of the borehole.The
5.1 A properly collected sample that includes the total coal
tool identifies zones where swelling or cavings (washouts)
bed interval provides a sample that is a representative cross
have occurred during drilling. The tool’s value is in allowing
section of the coal bed at the point of sampling. Core samples
qualitative or quantitative corrections to be made to other
are taken for subsequent testing needed for evaluation of coal
geophysical logs which are affected by borehole size (espe-
quality and characterization for commercial evaluations, for
cially density).
planning of mining operations to maintain coal quality, for the
3.1.7.2 density log (gamma-gamma log), n—measures elec-
determination of coal rank in accordance with Classification
tron density within lithologic units which is related to their
D 388, and for geologic coal resource studies.
bulk density. The wireline tool records the intensity of gamma
NOTE 1—Because of the potential for lateral variability, a sample may
radiation (in counts per second) from a nuclear source within
not represent the quality of the coal bed at another sample point. The
the tool after it has been attenuated and backscattered by
reliability of the data generated from core samples is dependent on the
lithologies within the borehole. Due to the distinctly low
number and spacing of the sample points and the variability of the coal
density of coals, the density log is essential in coal exploration
characteristics in a given area.
for identifying coal seams and coal-seam partings. The bias/
6. Apparatus
resolution of density logs can be affected by source-detector
spacing(closerspacingincreasesresolution),boreholesizeand
6.1 Steel Measuring Tape, not less than 10 m (30 ft) long.
irregularities (see caves or washouts), and the presence of
6.2 Rock Hammer, Chisel, or Pick, with file for sharpening.
casing and logging speed.
6.3 Water Source, to provide fresh, clean water for rinsing
3.1.7.3 natural gamma-ray log, n—a record of the natural
drilling mud from cut surface of the core.
radioactivity of the lithologies encountered in the borehole
6.4 Waterproof Marking Pencils that are visible on coal,
environment. During recording of geophysical logs, the
such as a yellow lumber crayon.
amount of natural radiation is recorded and presented in either
6.5 Polyethylene Bags, Tubing, or Sheets, 0.1 mm (4 mil) or
counts per second (CPS) or American Petroleum Institute
thicker.
(API) units. Unlike many other log types, a representative
6.6 Core Tray, constructed of wood, plastic, or metal, onto
natural gamma log can be obtained where borehole or fluid
which to extrude the core from the core barrel.
conditions, or both, are not optimal or where casing is present.
6.7 Boxes for Core Storage, constructed of wood, plastic, or
The natural gamma log is most often used in the coal
coated cardboard or if the core is to remain stratigraphically
environment for identifying classic lithologies and differenti-
oriented,usecontainerssuchaspolyvinylchloride(PVC)pipe.
ating coal seams and coal-seam partings.
6.8 Tags and Waterproof Marking Pens, for sample identi-
3.1.7.4 resistivity log, n—a measure of the voltage differen-
fication and for marking depths, orientation, and so forth, on
tial of strata along the walls of a borehole when electrical
the plastic sheeting.
current is passed through the strata. The resistivity log requires
6.9 NotebookandPencil,orothermeansforrecordkeeping.
a fluid-filled hole to constantly provide a conductive medium
6.10 Waterproof Container, to hold sample tag.
between electrodes on the tool. The spacing between the
electrodes determines the precision of the bed boundary 6.11 Geophysical Logging Unit (optional), consisting of
relationships in much the same manner as with the density log.
recording equipment and sondes for high-resolution density
The resistivity log is useful primarily in conjunction with other and caliper logs and possibly gamma and resistivity logs.
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D5192–99 (2004)
7. Planning for Sampling 7.4.2 Sampling Plan for Classification According to Rank:
7.4.2.1 A minimum of three, but preferably five or more,
7.1 Obtain information such as geologic, topographic, and
whole-seam samples are required to characterize the rank of
land ownership for locating suitable sites for drilling. Choose
the coal in a given area in accordance with Classification
sites that will best satisfy the purpose of sampling.
D 388.
7.2 A core approximately 47 mm (1.87 in.) in diameter
7.4.2.2 All roof and floor rock, all mineral partings more
yields a sufficient sample for most purposes. Minimum sample
than 10 mm ( ⁄8 in.) thick, and mineralized lenses or concre-
mass requirements for analytical tests, such as washability
tions (such as sulfur balls) more than 13 mm ( ⁄2 in.) thick and
testing, may dictate a sample mass that can only be obtained
50 mm (2 in.) wide shall be excluded from the sample.Angular
from larger diameter cores or multiple separate cores.
or wedge-shaped mineral lenses or concretions that are not
NOTE 2—The diameter and length of the core (or number of separate
continuous shall be excluded from the samples if the volume
cores) required to obtain a desired mass of sample may be estimated from
exceeds that of a parting 10 mm thick. (Refer to Practice
the density of coal, approximately 1.3 to 1.35 g/cm . The selected
D 4596.)
diameter of the core can have an effect on the representativeness of
subsamples obtained from the core sample for various types of testing.As
an example in washability testing, the diameter of the core should be at
8. Core Recovery
least three times the largest dimension of the topsize of any subsamples to
8.1 Recovery for Classification According to Rank and
be obtained from the core sample. For information on determining the
Some Other Purposes—The recovery of 100 % of the entire
washability characteristics of coal, seeTest Method D 4371 and the report
seam is not possible on every core under even the best of field
by Wizzard.
A larger diameter core can also be necessary to obtain a more
conditions. However, useful information such as apparent rank
representative sample if the quality of the coal varies greatly from layer to
can many times be obtained from cores where less than 100 %
layer in the seam.
of the seam has been recovered. When portions of the interval
7.3 Increment Sampling—Where differences of coal quality have been lost, the following information should be recorded:
(1) the percent recovery and (2) the estimated location and
parameters exist among different layers or benches in the same
coal seam or where the seam is thick, it is best to sample and thickness of the lost intervals. Use of data from cores that
represent less than 100 % of the total seam thickness shall be
analyze the seam in vertical increments.
7.3.1 Compositing —Data obtained from the separate identified as such and used with caution.
analyses of the vertical core increments can be composited by 8.2 Determining Recovery From Comparison of Geophysi-
calculation,preferablybysamplemassifsufficientinformation cal Logs and Core —The most reliable measurement of coal
such as core length and density has been measured for each seam thickness can be obtained from deflections on the
increment.Alternatively,acompositesampleoftheentireseam high-resolution density log and the caliper log. If the roof and
can be produced by combining representative splits of the floor lithologies are other than sandstone, the resistivity and
increments by increment thickness for the determination of natural gamma can also be used, especially if caves or
whole core characteristics. The use of an ash/density relation- washouts have caused material to be lost during coring.
ship for the specific geographic area and seam being studied Generally, the midpoint (the point at one half the deflection
can be helpful in validating direct density measurements.
between the lithologic-density lines) on the log trace is used to
Extreme care and cross-checking should be exercised when determine bed boundaries. However, for certain geophysical
combiningasamplecompositeforanalysisorwhencalculating toolsitmaybenecessarytouseothercriteria,suchasone-third
a composite analysis from the analysis of increments. Some deflection, initial deflection, and so forth. Geophysical tool
coal quality parameters are not additive in a linear fashion and manufacturers or service companies have specific instructions
cannot be accurately determined by calculated compositing. forthecalibrationandinterpretationoftheirlogsandshouldbe
Fusion temperatures of ash and Hardgrove grin
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