ASTM D388-15
(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.
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 SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3.1 Exception—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.
General Information
Relations
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:D388 −15
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 D720Test Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
D1412Test Method for Equilibrium Moisture of Coal at 96
1.1 This standard covers the classification of coals by rank,
to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30°C
thatis,accordingtotheirdegreeofmetamorphism,orprogres-
D2013Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
sive alteration, in the natural series from lignite to anthracite.
D2234/D2234MPractice for Collection of a Gross Sample
1.2 This classification is applicable to coals that are com-
of Coal
posed mainly of vitrinite.
D2798Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the
Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
NOTE1—Coalsrichininertiniteorliptinite(exinite),orboth,cannotbe
properly classified because, in those macerals, the properties that deter-
D3172Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
mine rank (calorific value, volatile matter, and agglomerating character)
D3173Test Method for Moisture in theAnalysis Sample of
differgreatlyfromthoseofvitriniteinthesamecoal.Oftensuchcoalscan
Coal and Coke
be recognized by megascopic examination. In NorthAmerica, these coals
D3174Test Method forAsh in theAnalysis Sample of Coal
are mostly nonbanded varieties that contain only a small proportion of
and Coke from Coal
vitrain and consist mainly of attrital materials. The degree of metamor-
phism of nonbanded and other vitrinite-poor coals can be estimated by
D3175Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis
determining the classification properties of isolated or concentrated
Sample of Coal and Coke
vitrinite fractions, or by determining the reflectance of the vitrinite (see
D3302Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
Test Method D2798 andAppendix X1 of this classification). However, in
D4239Test Method for Sulfur in the Analysis Sample of
the use of these vitrinite-poor coals, some properties normally associated
Coal and Coke Using High-Temperature Tube Furnace
with rank, such as rheology, combustibility, hardness, and grindability (as
well as the rank determining properties) may differ substantially from
Combustion
those of vitrinite-rich coals of the same degree of metamorphism.
D4596Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal
The precision of the classification of impure coal may be
in a Mine
impaired by the effect of large amounts of mineral matter on
D5016Test Method for Total Sulfur in Coal and Coke
the determination of volatile matter and calorific value, and on
Combustion Residues Using a High-Temperature Tube
their calculation to the mineral-matter-free basis.
Furnace Combustion Method with Infrared Absorption
D5192Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D5865Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Coke
standard.
1.3.1 Exception—The values stated in British thermal units
3. Terminology
per pound are to be regarded as the standard. The SI equiva-
lents of British thermal units per pound are approximate.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For additional definitions of terms used in this
2. Referenced Documents
classification, refer to Terminology D121.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.2 agglomerating, adj—as applied to coal, the property
D121Terminology of Coal and Coke
of softening when it is heated to above about 400°C in a
nonoxidizing atmosphere, and then appearing as a coherent
mass after cooling to room temperature.
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D05 on Coal
3.1.3 apparent rank, n—of coal, the rank designation ob-
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.18 on Classification
of Coals.
tained on samples other than channel samples or core samples
Current edition approved May 15, 2015. Published June 2015. Originally
with 100% recovery, but otherwise conforming to procedures
approved in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D388–12. DOI:
of Classification D388.
10.1520/D0388-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.1.4 coal seam, n—the stratum, layer, or bed of coal that
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
lies between two other rock layers whose compositions differ
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. significantly from that of coal.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Consho
...
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 − 12 D388 − 15
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 values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3.1 Exception—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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
D720 Test Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
D1412 Test Method for Equilibrium Moisture of Coal at 96 to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30°C
3
D1757 Test Method for Sulfate Sulfur in Ash from Coal and Coke (Withdrawn 2009)
D2013 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 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
D3175 Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke
3
D3177 Test Methods for Total Sulfur in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke (Withdrawn 2012)
D3302 Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
D4239 Test Method for Sulfur in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke Using High-Temperature Tube Furnace Combustion
D4596 Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal in a Mine
D5016 Test Method for Total Sulfur in Coal and Coke Combustion Residues Using a High-Temperature Tube Furnace
Combustion Method with Infrared Absorption
D5192 Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
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 March 15, 2012May 15, 2015. Published March 2012 June 2015. Originally approved in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 20052012 as
D388 – 05.D388 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/D0388-12.10.1520/D0388-15.
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 Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D388 − 15
D5865 Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and Coke
3. Terminol
...
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