ASTM D388-05
(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
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 D 2798 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 British thermal units per pound are to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents of British thermal units per pound are approximate. All other values in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D388 – 05
Standard Classification of
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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 to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30°C
D1757 TestMethodforSulfateSulfurinAshfromCoaland
1.1 This standard covers the classification of coals by rank,
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Coke
thatis,accordingtotheirdegreeofmetamorphism,orprogres-
D2013 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
sive alteration, in the natural series from lignite to anthracite.
D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample
1.2 This classification is applicable to coals that are com-
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of Coal
posed mainly of vitrinite.
D2798 TestMethodforMicroscopicalDeterminationofthe
NOTE 1—Coalsrichininertiniteorliptinite(exinite),orboth,cannotbe
Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
properly classified because, in those macerals, the properties that deter-
D3172 Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
mine rank (calorific value, volatile matter, and agglomerating character)
D3173 Test Method for Moisture in theAnalysis Sample of
differgreatlyfromthoseofvitriniteinthesamecoal.Oftensuchcoalscan
Coal and Coke
be recognized by megascopic examination. In NorthAmerica, these coals
D3174 TestMethodforAshintheAnalysisSampleofCoal
are mostly nonbanded varieties that contain only a small proportion of
vitrain and consist mainly of attrital materials. The degree of metamor-
and Coke from Coal
phism of nonbanded and other vitrinite-poor coals can be estimated by
D3175 Test 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
D3177 Test Methods for Total Sulfur in the Analysis
Test Method D2798 andAppendix X1 of this classification). However, in
Sample of Coal and Coke
the use of these vitrinite-poor coals, some properties normally associated
D3302 Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
with rank, such as rheology, combustibility, hardness, and grindability (as
well as the rank determining properties) may differ substantially from D4239 Test Method for Sulfur in the Analysis Sample of
those of vitrinite-rich coals of the same degree of metamorphism.
Coal and Coke Using High-Temperature Tube Furnace
Combustion
The precision of the classification of impure coal may be
D4596 Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal
impaired by the effect of large amounts of mineral matter on
in a Mine
the determination of volatile matter and calorific value, and on
D5016 Test Method for Total Sulfur in Coal and Coke
their calculation to the mineral-matter-free basis.
Combustion Residues Using a High-Temperature Tube
1.3 The values stated in British thermal units per pound are
Furnace Combustion Method with Infrared Absorption
to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents of British
D5192 Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
thermalunitsperpoundareapproximate.AllothervaluesinSI
D5865 Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and
units are to be regarded as standard.
Coke
2. Referenced Documents
3. Terminology
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1 Definitions—For additional definitions of terms used in
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
this classification, refer to Terminology D121.
D720 Test Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
3.1.1 agglomerating, adj—as applied to coal, the property
D1412 Test Method for Equilibrium Moisture of Coal at 96
of softening when it is heated to above about 400°C in a
nonoxidizing atmosphere, and then appearing as a coherent
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This classification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D05 on Coal
mass after cooling to room temperature.
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.18 on Classification
3.1.2 apparent rank, n—of coal, the rank designation ob-
of Coals.
tained on samples other than channel samples or core samples
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2005. Published September 2005. Originally
´1
with 100% recovery, but otherwise conforming to procedures
approved in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D388–99(2004) .
DOI: 10.1520/D0388-05.
of Classification D388.
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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
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
the ASTM website. on www.astm.org.
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