ASTM D4596-09(2015)

Standard Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal in a Mine

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 A properly collected face channel sample that includes the total coal bed interval provides a sample that is a representative cross section of the coal bed at the point of sampling. Channel samples are taken for subsequent testing needed for evaluation of coal quality and characterization for commercial evaluations, for planning of mining operations to maintain coal quality, for the determination of coal rank in accordance with Classification D388, and for geologic coal resource studies.  
Note 1: Because of the potential for lateral variability, a sample may not represent the quality of the coal bed at another sample point. The reliability of the data generated from channel samples is dependent on the number and spacing of the sample points and the variability of the coal characteristics in a given area.
Note 2: Sampling of the mine product for these purposes is unsatisfactory because of contamination of the product with out-of-seam material, selective mining of parts of a seam, inability to obtain samples from one or more specific locations in the mine, or other incompatibility of the purpose of sampling with the mining practice. Conversely, channel samples should not be used for evaluation of the quality of commercial shipments of the mine product, which should be sampled in accordance with Methods D2234/D2234M.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes procedures for collecting a coal sample from a channel extending from top to bottom in the face of a coal seam in a mine.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary information, see Note 2.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2015
• ICS: 73.040 - Coals
• Technical Committee: D05 - Coal and Coke
• Drafting Committee: D05.23 - Sampling

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D4596 − 09 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Practice for
Collection of Channel Samples of Coal in a Mine
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4596; 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 channel of uniform horizontal cross section is cut from the coal
seam and the coal therefrom is collected for analysis and
1.1 This practice describes procedures for collecting a coal
testing.
samplefromachannelextendingfromtoptobottomintheface
of a coal seam in a mine.
4. Significance and Use
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 A properly collected face channel sample that includes
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
the total coal bed interval provides a sample that is a repre-
standard.
sentative cross section of the coal bed at the point of sampling.
Channel samples are taken for subsequent testing needed for
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
evaluation of coal quality and characterization for commercial
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
evaluations, for planning of mining operations to maintain coal
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
quality, for the determination of coal rank in accordance with
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Classification D388, and for geologic coal resource studies.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
precautionary information, see Note 2.
NOTE 1—Because of the potential for lateral variability, a sample may
not represent the quality of the coal bed at another sample point. The
2. Referenced Documents
reliability of the data generated from channel samples is dependent on the
number and spacing of the sample points and the variability of the coal
2.1 ASTM Standards:
characteristics in a given area.
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
NOTE 2—Sampling of the mine product for these purposes is unsatis-
D388 Classification of Coals by Rank
factory because of contamination of the product with out-of-seam
D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample material, selective mining of parts of a seam, inability to obtain samples
from one or more specific locations in the mine, or other incompatibility
of Coal
of the purpose of sampling with the mining practice. Conversely, channel
D2796 Terminology for Megascopic Description of Coal
samples should not be used for evaluation of the quality of commercial
and Coal Seams and Microscopical Description and
shipments of the mine product, which should be sampled in accordance
Analysis of Coal (Withdrawn 1995)
with Methods D2234/D2234M.
D4371 Test Method for Determining the Washability Char-
5. Apparatus
acteristics of Coal
5.1 Steel Measuring Tape, not less than3m(8ft) long.
3. Summary of Practice
5.2 Miner’s Pick or Similar Tool, with file for sharpening.
3.1 At selected sites in the mine the face of the seam is
Other devices may be used such as a pneumatically operated
cleaned of weathered coal and debris and the face is evened.A
chain saw with tungsten carbide teeth.
5.3 Brush or Broom, for removing loose particles on the
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and
coal face.
Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.23 on Sampling.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2015. Published September 2015. Originally 5.4 Chalk.
published approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D4596 – 09.
5.5 Sample Containers With Closures—Ifthesampleistobe
DOI: 10.1520/D4596-09R15.
used for determination of inherent moisture, the container shall
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
be such that less than 0.05 % of the sample weight is lost
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
between the time of sealing the container with sample and the
the ASTM website.
time of opening for preparation of the sample for analysis.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. Steelairtightcontainerswithpolyethylenebaglinershavebeen
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4596 − 09 (2015)
found to be satisfactory for this purpose. For other purposes, 6.3 Sampling for Other Purposes—Variationsinthepurpose
bags made of a strong cloth and lined with a polyethylene bag of sampling and in conditions encountered in the field preclude
may be suitable. the establishment of rigid procedures covering every sampling
situation. In each case, formulate a plan taking into account the
5.6 Ground Cloth—Canvas tarpaulin or heavy-duty plastic
mining operation, the purpose of the sampling, and the known
sheet about 3 by 3 m (10 by 10 ft). If the purpose of sampling
characteristics of the coal seam. Characteristics include lateral
includes the determination of inherent moisture, the sheet shall
or vertical variations in coal quality, occurrences of persistent
be of low water solubility and permeability, such as polyeth-
mineral partings or concretions within the seam, and the extent
ylene or oilcloth.
of oxidation or weathering of coal. Take these considerations
5.7 Tags and Pen,for sample identification and for marking.
into account in planning sample site selection and whether
lithotypes, partings, and layers above and below the seam
5.8 Shovel.
4,5
should be described. Also establish a method of preparing
5.9 Notebook and Pencil,orothermeansforrecordkeeping.
the coal face, and determining the size of sample.
6.3.1 Obtain information for identification of suitable loca-
6. Planning of Sampling
tions for sampling. Choose sites that will best satisfy the
6.1 Considerations regarding weathered coal and inherent
purpose of sampling.
moisture:
6.3.2 A channel at least 8 cm (3 in.) deep (into the face of
Weathered coal is unsuitable for inclusion in channel samples
the seam) and 10 cm (4 in.) wide yields a sufficient sample for
collected to secure fresh and unaltered material. Weathered
most purposes. The channel may be enlarged to minimize the
coal typically contains anomalously low total moisture, yields
effect of channel size variability when a coal characteristic of
low calorific value (dry and moisture-and-ash-free basis), and
interest, such as ash content, varies greatly from layer to layer
also produces atypical results for other tests. It does not reflect
in the seam, or when the coal breaks unevenly. Also, the
unaltered in-situ
...

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: D4596 − 09 D4596 − 09 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Practice for
Collection of Channel Samples of Coal in a Mine
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4596; 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 practice describes procedures for collecting a coal sample from a channel extending from top to bottom in the face of
a coal seam in a mine.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary information, see Note 2.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
D388 Classification of Coals by Rank
D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample of Coal
D2796 Terminology for Megascopic Description of Coal and Coal Seams and Microscopical Description and Analysis of Coal
(Withdrawn 1995)
D4371 Test Method for Determining the Washability Characteristics of Coal
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 At selected sites in the mine the face of the seam is cleaned of weathered coal and debris and the face is evened. A channel
of uniform horizontal cross section is cut from the coal seam and the coal therefrom is collected for analysis and testing.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 A properly collected face channel sample that includes the total coal bed interval provides a sample that is a representative
cross section of the coal bed at the point of sampling. Channel samples are taken for subsequent testing needed for evaluation of
coal quality and characterization for commercial evaluations, for planning of mining operations to maintain coal quality, for the
determination of coal rank in accordance with Classification D388, and for geologic coal resource studies.
NOTE 1—Because of the potential for lateral variability, a sample may not represent the quality of the coal bed at another sample point. The reliability
of the data generated from channel samples is dependent on the number and spacing of the sample points and the variability of the coal characteristics
in a given area.
NOTE 2—Sampling of the mine product for these purposes is unsatisfactory because of contamination of the product with out-of-seam material,
selective mining of parts of a seam, inability to obtain samples from one or more specific locations in the mine, or other incompatibility of the purpose
of sampling with the mining practice. Conversely, channel samples should not be used for evaluation of the quality of commercial shipments of the mine
product, which should be sampled in accordance with Methods D2234/D2234M.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Steel Measuring Tape, not less than 3 m (8 ft) long.
This practice 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 June 1, 2009Sept. 1, 2015. Published June 2009September 2015. Originally published approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in
20082009 as D4596 – 08.D4596 – 09. DOI: 10.1520/D4596-09.10.1520/D4596-09R15.
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.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4596 − 09 (2015)
5.2 Miner’s Pick or Similar Tool, with file for sharpening. Other devices may be used such as a pneumatically operated chain
saw with tungsten carbide teeth.
5.3 Brush or Broom, for removing loose particles on the coal face.
5.4 Chalk.
5.5 Sample Containers With Closures—If the sample is to be used for determination of inherent moisture, the container shall
be such that less than 0.05 % of the sample weight is lost between the time of sealing the container with sample and the time of
opening for preparation of the sample for analysis. Steel airtight containers with polyethylene bag liners have been found to be
satisfactory for this purpose. For other purposes, bags made of a strong cloth and lined with a polyethylene bag may be suitable.
5.6 Ground Cloth—Canvas tarpaulin or heavy-duty plastic sheet about 3 by 3 m (10 by 10 ft). If the purpose of sampling
includes the determination of inherent moisture, the sheet shall be of low water solubility and permeability, such as polyethylene
or oilcloth.
5.7 Tags and Pen, for sample identification and for marking.
5.8 Shovel.
5.9 Notebook and Pencil, or other means for record keeping.
6. Planning of Sampling
6.1 Considerations regarding weathered coal and inherent moisture:
Weathered coal is unsuitable for inclusion in channel samples collected to secure fresh and unaltered material. Weathered coal
typically contains anomalously low total moisture, yields low calorific value (dry and moisture-and-ash-free basis), and also
produces atypical results for other tests. It does not reflect unaltered in-situ coal properties, cannot be used for classification
according to rank, and does not give accurate estimates of typical as-mined moisture.
6.1.1 Obvious indications of weathering include, but are not limited to: (1) any discoloration of broken coal surfaces or cleats,
(2) presence of sulfate minerals resulting from oxidation of pyrite, (3) presence of gypsum (calcium sulfate) crystals, and (4)
presence of dust, cracked and crazed coal surfaces, or a fragmented condition of the coal blocks resulting from loss of inherent
moisture.
6.1.2 It is often useful to collect samples containing their full complement of inherent moisture, but that condition may not
always be readily discernable. A simple field test can be used to qualitatively identify seemingly fresh coal that has lost some
inherent moisture but has not yet obviously weathered. A light coating of water is sprayed or wiped onto the surface of the coal,
and the rate at which it disappears is observed. Rapid disappearance (typically within a few seconds) indicates absorption and
demonstrates that the coal cont
...