ASTM D6970-03(2019)

Standard Practice for Collection of Calcined Petroleum Coke Samples for Analysis

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Data obtained from calcined petroleum coke samples are used in commercial transactions, controlling plant operations, and allocating production costs. Use of standard sampling procedures facilitates the task of obtaining a sample to represent an entire lot of calcined petroleum coke.  
4.2 This practice gives general procedures for the collection of calcined petroleum coke samples and is intended to provide useful methodology for the collection of a sample to represent a lot of calcined petroleum coke. The variety of calcined petroleum coke handling facilities and sampling applications preclude the publication of detailed procedures for every sampling situation.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the collection of calcined petroleum coke samples from conveyor belts or transfer points. These samples may be used for physical and chemical analyses.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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.  
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: 30-Nov-2019
• ICS: 75.160.10 - Solid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.05 - Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6970-03(2013)e1 - Standard Practice for Collection of Calcined Petroleum Coke Samples for Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Refers: ASTM D6969-16 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Calcined Petroleum Coke Samples for Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2016
• Refers: ASTM D6969-15 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Calcined Petroleum Coke Samples for Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D6969-03(2008) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Calcined Petroleum Coke Samples for Analysis
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2008
• Refers: ASTM D4702-06 - Standard Practice for Quality Management of Mechanical Coal Sampling Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2006
• Refers: ASTM D5709-95(2005) - Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Petroleum Coke
• Effective Date: 01-May-2005
• Refers: ASTM D4702-04 - Standard Guide for Quality Management of Mechanical Coal Sampling Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Refers: ASTM D4702-03a - Standard Guide for Quality Management of Mechanical Coal Sampling Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Refers: ASTM D6969-03 - Standard Practice for Preparation of Calcined Petroleum Coke Samples for Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Refers: ASTM D4702-03 - Standard Guide for Inspecting Crosscut, Sweep-Arm, and Auger Mechanical Coal-Sampling Systems for Conformance with Current ASTM Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2003
• Refers: ASTM D4702-97(2003) - Standard Guide for Inspecting Crosscut, Sweep-Arm, and Auger Mechanical Coal-Sampling Systems for Conformance with Current ASTM Standards
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2003
• Refers: ASTM D5709-95(2000)e1 - Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Petroleum Coke
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Refers: ASTM D4702-97 - Standard Guide for Inspecting Crosscut, Sweep-Arm, and Auger Mechanical Coal-Sampling Systems for Conformance with Current ASTM Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1991
• Referred By: ASTM D4292-17 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Vibrated Bulk Density of Calcined Petroleum Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D2638-21 - Standard Test Method for Real Density of Calcined Petroleum Coke by Helium Pycnometer
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019

Overview

ASTM D6970-03(2019) is the international standard practice for the collection of calcined petroleum coke samples for analysis. Developed by ASTM International, this standard provides procedures for obtaining reliable, representative samples from conveyor belts or transfer points to ensure accurate physical and chemical analyses. The data gained from these samples are vital for commercial transactions, quality control, plant operations, and production cost allocation in the petroleum coke industry. By defining general sampling methodologies, ASTM D6970 promotes consistency and accuracy when assessing calcined petroleum coke.

Key Topics

The standard highlights several key aspects of calcined petroleum coke sampling:

• Sampling Procedures: Offers guidance on collecting increments from moving streams or during material transfers, ensuring samples effectively represent whole lots of calcined petroleum coke.
• Types of Sampling Conditions: Covers methods including stopped-belt and full-stream cuts, part-stream and stationary sampling, with clear recommendations for when each approach is most reliable.
• Sample Size & Frequency: Recommends minimum numbers of increments based on lot size, ensuring statistical relevance and representativeness.
• Mechanical & Manual Sampling Systems: Specifies the design and operational requirements for sweep-arm and cross-stream samplers, ensuring accurate extraction from conveyor belts or transfer points.
• Sample Integrity: Emphasizes proper handling to prevent segregation, contamination, or moisture variation, utilizing moisture-tight containers and proper sample processing protocols.
• Performance Validation: Encourages regular system inspection and testing to verify that the sample size consist matches the actual lot, and that sampling processes remain unbiased and reliable.

Applications

ASTM D6970-03(2019) is widely applicable across industries that produce, handle, trade, or analyze calcined petroleum coke. Key uses include:

• Commercial Transactions: Ensures fair and unbiased quality assessment when calcined petroleum coke is bought or sold, supporting transparent negotiations and contracts.
• Quality Control: Facilitates routine plant monitoring by providing reliable methodologies to assess product consistency and compliance with specifications.
• Production Management: Assists in tracking production quality and allocating costs accurately based on representative analysis results.
• Laboratory Analysis: Provides a standardized approach for physical and chemical analysis sample preparation, including procedures for moisture content, size distribution, and chemical composition.
• Regulatory Compliance: Supports adherence to international trade and quality standards, minimizing the risk of disputes and ensuring due diligence.
• Research and Development: Offers consistent sampling procedures necessary for product innovation and comparative studies in carbon materials and fuels.

Related Standards

For organizations working with calcined petroleum coke, the following related ASTM standards are commonly referenced alongside ASTM D6970-03(2019):

• ASTM D5709: Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Petroleum Coke, used for determining particle size distribution in collected samples.
• ASTM D6969: Practice for Preparation of Calcined Petroleum Coke Samples for Analysis, provides guidance on sample preparation prior to laboratory evaluation.
• ASTM D4702: Practice for Quality Management of Mechanical Coal Sampling Systems (Withdrawn), which offers context for mechanical sampling system inspection and maintenance.

By following ASTM D6970, professionals can ensure their calcined petroleum coke sampling procedures meet internationally recognized standards, providing accurate, reproducible results for quality management and commercial assurance.

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: D6970 − 03 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Collection of Calcined Petroleum Coke Samples for
Analysis
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6970; 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 3.1.1 accuracy, n—generally, a term used to indicate the
reliability of a sample, a measurement, or an observation.
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the collection of
Specifically, a measure of closeness of agreement between an
calcined petroleum coke samples from conveyor belts or
experimental result and the true value.
transfer points. These samples may be used for physical and
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Example: the observed and true sulfur
chemical analyses.
content of a calcined petroleum coke consignment. This
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
measure is affected by chance errors as well as by bias.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3.1.2 analysis sample, n—the reduced and divided represen-
only.
tative portion of the bulk sample, prepared for use in the
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
laboratory.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3 gross sample, n—a sample representing one lot of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
petroleum coke and composed of a number of increments on
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
which no reduction or division has been performed.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.4 increment, n—a small portion of a lot collected by one
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
operation of a sampling device and normally combined with
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
other increments from the lot to make a gross sample.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.5 lot, n—a quantity of coke represented by a gross
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
sample.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.6 representative sample, n—a sample collected in such a
2. Referenced Documents
manner that the size consist is the same as the lot.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.7 sample, n—a quantity of petroleum coke taken from a
D4702 Practice for Quality Management of Mechanical
larger quantity for the purpose of estimating properties or
Coal Sampling Systems (Withdrawn 2008)
composition of the larger quantity.
D5709 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Petroleum Coke
3.1.8 sample preparation, n—the process that may include
D6969 Practice for Preparation of Calcined Petroleum Coke
drying,crushing,division,andmixingofagrosssampleforthe
Samples for Analysis
purpose of obtaining an unbiased analysis sample.
3. Terminology 3.1.9 size consist, n—the particle size distribution of a
material; for example, petroleum coke.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.10 top size, n—the size of the smallest opening of one
sieve of a series upon which is cumulatively retained a total of
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
less than 5 % of the sample. This defined top size is not to be
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
confused with the size of the largest particle in a lot.
mittee D02.05 on Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally
ɛ1
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D6970 – 03 (2013) . 4. Significance and Use
DOI: 10.1520/D6970-03R19.
4.1 Data obtained from calcined petroleum coke samples
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
are used in commercial transactions, controlling plant
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
operations, and allocating production costs. Use of standard
the ASTM website.
sampling procedures facilitates the task of obtaining a sample
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. to represent an entire lot of calcined petroleum coke.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6970 − 03 (2019)
4.2 This practice gives general procedures for the collection 5.4.1 Collect increments using a specially designed tool or
of calcined petroleum coke samples and is intended to provide mechanical device capable of taking increments of equal mass.
useful methodology for the collection of a sample to represent Incrementscomprisingagrosssampleshallnotweighlessthan
a lot of calcined petroleum coke. The variety of calcined 2 kg (4.4 lb) each.
petroleum coke handling facilities and sampling applications
5.5 Quantities Represented:
preclude the publication of detailed procedures for every
5.5.1 Collect a gross sample for each 2000 metric tons or
sampling situation.
fraction thereof, or in case of larger tonnage, as may be
mutually agreed upon by all involved parties. Practical
5. Organization of Sampling Operation
experience, however, indicates the maximum size of a lot of
5.1 Place of Sampling:
calcined petroleum coke to be represented by one gross sample
5.1.1 Sample calcined petroleum coke while it is being
shall not exceed 15 000 metric tons (see Table 1). Separate
loaded into or unloaded from railcars, ships, barges, or trucks,
samples shall be taken from each lot of calcined petroleum
or when discharged from kilns, supply bins, grab buckets, belt
coke arising from a different source or known to be of different
conveyors, or other conveying equipment. The sample should
quality or size.
be collected as close to the point of interest as possible.
5.6 Distribution of Increments:
5.1.2 Samples collected from the stationary surface of
calcined petroleum coke in stockpiles, bins, railcars, trucks,
5.6.1 It is essential that the increments be distributed
ships, or barges may be unreliable because of size segregation
throughout the lot to be sampled. This distribution is related to
and shall not be used for determining conformance to specifi-
the entire volume of the lot, not merely its surface or any linear
cations unless the purchaser and the seller agree. If it is
direction through it or over it. If circumstances prevent the
necessary to collect a stationary sample of calcined petroleum
sampler from applying this principle, then the lot is sampled
coke, use a sampling method mutually acceptable to all
only in part, and the gross sample is representative only of this
involved parties.
part.Thespacingofincrementsshallbevariedifthepossibility
exists that increment collection may get in phase with the
5.2 Collection of Gross Sample:
sequence of calcined petroleum coke variability. Example:
5.2.1 Collect increments systematically, and with such fre-
routinesamplingwhereincrementcollectionfromacontinuous
quency to produce a representative sample mutually acceptable
stream (conveyor belt), and where increment collection is
to all involved parties.
automatic and its sequence coincides with the highs or lows in
5.2.2 It is recommended the gross sample contain at least
the content of fines.
the required minimum number of increments as outlined i
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