ASTM D4326-21

Standard Test Method for Major and Minor Elements in Coal Ash By X-Ray Fluorescence

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 A compositional analysis of ash is used in describing the quality of coal for its complete characterization. Ash composition is useful in predicting slagging and fouling characteristics of combusted materials as well as the potential utilization of ash by-products.  
5.2 The chemical composition of laboratory prepared coal ash is rarely, if ever, representative of the composition of the mineral matter in the coal because the ashing process can alter some minerals. However, it can approximate the composition of the fly ash and slag resulting from commercial combustion of coal.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the analysis of the commonly determined major and minor elements in ash from coal using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques.
Note 1: Test Method D5016 is used for determination of sulfur.
Note 2: Although not included in the present method, the determination of barium, strontium, and manganese may be required to yield adequate totals.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered 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.  
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: 31-Aug-2021
• ICS: 75.160.10 - Solid fuels
• Technical Committee: D05 - Coal and Coke
• Drafting Committee: D05.29 - Major Elements in Ash and Trace Elements of Coal

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: D4326 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Major and Minor Elements in Coal Ash By X-Ray
1
Fluorescence
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4326; 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 Combustion Residues Using a High-Temperature Tube
Furnace Combustion Method with Infrared Absorption
1.1 This test method covers the analysis of the commonly
D7348Test Methods for Loss on Ignition (LOI) of Solid
determined major and minor elements in ash from coal using
Combustion Residues
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques.
D7582Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and
NOTE 1—Test Method D5016 is used for determination of sulfur.
Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
NOTE 2—Although not included in the present method, the determina-
D8146Guide for Evaluating Test Method Capability and
tion of barium, strontium, and manganese may be required to yield
Fitness for Use
adequate totals.
E2Methods of Preparation of Micrographs of Metals and
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
Alloys (Including Recommended Practice for Photogra-
as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
phy As Applied to Metallography); Replaced by E883
provided for informationonlyandarenotconsideredstandard.
3
(Withdrawn 1983)
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Sieves
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3.1 Definitions—Definitions applicable to this test method
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the are listed in D121, Terminology of Coal and Coke.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4. Summary of Test Method
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1 The coal to be analyzed is ashed under standard condi-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tions and ignited to constant mass. Previously ashed materials
2. Referenced Documents areignitedtoconstantmassunderstandardconditions.Theash
is fused with lithium tetraborate (Li B O ) or other suitable
2
2 4 7
2.1 ASTM Standards:
flux and either ground and pressed into a pellet or cast into a
D121Terminology of Coal and Coke
glass disk. The pellet or disk is then irradiated by an X-ray
D2013Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
beam of short wavelength (high energy). The characteristic
D3173Test Method for Moisture in theAnalysis Sample of
X-rays of the atom that are emitted or fluoresced upon
Coal and Coke
absorption of the primary or incident X-rays are dispersed and
D3174Test Method forAsh in theAnalysis Sample of Coal
intensities at selected wavelengths are measured by sensitive
and Coke from Coal
detectors. Detector output is related to mass fraction by
D5016Test Method for Total Sulfur in Coal and Coke
calibration curves or by computerized data-handling equip-
ment.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal 4.2 The K spectral lines are used for all of the elements
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.29 on Major
determined by this procedure.
Elements in Ash and Trace Elements of Coal.
4.3 Allelementsaredeterminedastheelementandreported
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved 2013 as D4326–13. DOI:
as the oxide and include Si,Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Ti, Mn,
10.1520/D4326-21.
Sr, and Ba.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4326 − 21
5. Significance and Use used, provided it is first ascert
...

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: D4326 − 13 D4326 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Major and Minor Elements in Coal and Coke Ash By X-Ray
1
Fluorescence
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4326; 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 test method covers the analysis of the commonly determined major and minor elements in ash from coal or coke using
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques.
NOTE 1—Test Method D5016 is used for determination of sulfur.
NOTE 2—Although not included in the present method, the determination of barium, strontium, and manganese may be required to yield adequate totals.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this The
values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered 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.
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
D346 Practice for Collection and Preparation of Coke Samples for Laboratory Analysis
D2013 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
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
D5016 Test Method for Total Sulfur in Coal and Coke Combustion Residues Using a High-Temperature Tube Furnace
Combustion Method with Infrared Absorption
D7348 Test Methods for Loss on Ignition (LOI) of Solid Combustion Residues
D7582 Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke by Macro Thermogravimetric Analysis
D8146 Guide for Evaluating Test Method Capability and Fitness for Use
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.29 on Major Elements in
Ash and Trace Elements of Coal.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2013Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2013October 2021. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved 20112013 as
D4326 – 11.D4326 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D4326-13.10.1520/D4326-21.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4326 − 21
E2 Methods of Preparation of Micrographs of Metals and Alloys (Including Recommended Practice for Photography As Applied
3
to Metallography); Replaced by E 883 (Withdrawn 1983)
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions applicable to this test method are listed in D121, Terminology of Coal and Coke.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The coal or coke to be analyzed is ashed under standard conditions and ignited to constant weight.mass. Previously ashed
materials are ignited to constant weightmass under standard conditions. The ash is fused with lithium tetraborate (Li B O ) or other
2 4 7
suitable flux and either ground and pressed into a pellet or cast into a glass disk. The pellet or disk is then irradiated by an X-ray
beam of short wavelength (high energy). The characteristic X-rays of the atom that are emitted or fluoresced upon absorption of
the primary or incident X-rays are dispersed and intensities at selected wavelengths are measured by sensitive detectors. Detector
output is related to concentration mass fraction by calib
...