ASTM D388-99e1
(Classification)Standard Classification of Coals by Rank
Standard Classification of Coals by Rank
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.
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Designation: D 388 – 99
Standard Classification of
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Coals by Rank
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 388; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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e NOTE—Table 1 was editorially revised in May 2002.
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1. Scope to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30°C
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D 1757 Test Method for Sulfur in Ash from Coal and Coke
1.1 This standard covers the classification of coals by rank,
2
D 2013 Method of Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
that is, according to their degree of metamorphism, or progres-
2
D 2234 Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample of Coal
sive alteration, in the natural series from lignite to anthracite.
D 2798 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of
1.2 This classification is applicable to coals that are com-
the Reflectance of Vitrinite in a Polished Specimen of
posed mainly of vitrinite.
2
Coal
NOTE 1—Coals rich in inertinite or liptinite (exinite), or both, cannot be 2
D 3172 Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
properly classified because, in those macerals, the properties that deter-
D 3173 Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of
mine rank (calorific value, volatile matter, and agglomerating character)
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Coal and Coke
differ greatly from those of vitrinite in the same coal. Often such coals can
D 3174 Test Method for Ash in the Analysis Sample of Coal
be recognized by megascopic examination. In North America, these coals
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and Coke from Coal
are mostly nonbanded varieties that contain only a small proportion of
vitrain and consist mainly of attrital materials. The degree of metamor-
D 3175 Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis
2
phism of nonbanded and other vitrinite-poor coals can be estimated by
Sample of Coal and Coke
determining the classification properties of isolated or concentrated
D 3177 Test Methods for Total Sulfur in the Analysis
vitrinite fractions, or by determining the reflectance of the vitrinite (see
2
Sample of Coal and Coke
Test Method D 2798 and Appendix X1 of this classification). However, in
D 3180 Practice for Calculating Coal and Coke Analyses
the use of these vitrinite-poor coals, some properties normally associated
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from As-Determined to Different Bases
with rank, such as rheology, combustibility, hardness, and grindability (as
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well as the rank determining properties) may differ substantially from D 3302 Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
those of vitrinite-rich coals of the same degree of metamorphism.
D 4596 Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal
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in the Mine
The precision of the classification of impure coal may be
D 5192 Practice for the Collection of Coal Samples from
impaired by the effect of large amounts of mineral matter on
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Core
the determination of volatile matter and calorific value, and on
D 5865 Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and
their calculation to the mineral-matter-free basis.
2
Coke
1.3 The values stated in British thermal units per pound are
to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents of British
3. Terminology
thermal units per pound are approximate. All other values in SI
3.1 Definitions—For additional definitions of terms used in
units are to be regarded as standard.
this classification, refer to Terminology D 121.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.1 agglomerating, adj—as applied to coal, the property
of softening when it is heated to above about 400°C in a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
nonoxidizing atmosphere, and then appearing as a coherent
D 121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
2
mass after cooling to room temperature.
D 720 Test Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
3.1.2 apparent rank, n—of coal, the rank designation ob-
D 1412 Test Method for Equilibrium Moisture of Coal at 96
tained on samples other than channel samples or core samples
with 100 % recovery, but otherwise conforming to procedures
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of Classification D 388.
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
3.1.3 coal seam, n—the stratum, layer, or bed of coal that
of Coals.
lies between two other rock layers whose compositions differ
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1999. Published January 2000. Originally
significantly from that of coal.
published as D 388 – 34 T. Last previous edition D 388 – 98a.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.06.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D 388–99
3.2 Abbreviations:Abbreviations—Where it is desired to c
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