ASTM D2974-20
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and Other Organic Soils
Standard Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and Other Organic Soils
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This standard is used in various industries including, but not limited to, agriculture, forestry, energy, horticulture, and geotechnical. Over the years, the use of peat as a fuel has been on the decline for numerous reasons, however it is still being used as a fuel in some parts of the world. Peat typically has high a water content, thus when being used as a fuel, the peat must first be air dried in order to reduce the water content. When the peat it too wet, it doesn’t burn well and much heat is wasted in unnecessary conversion of water to steam and more smoke/soot is created, which can coat a chimney and pose a danger to the end user.
5.2 The ash content and percent organic material are important in the following: (1) classifying peat or other organic soil, (2) geotechnical and general classification purposes, and (3) when peats are being evaluated as a fuel. The ash content is one of several parameters used to classify peat as detailed in Classification D4427.
Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of water (moisture) content, ash content, and organic material in peats and other organic soils, such as organic clays, silts, and mucks. Test Method D2216 provides for determining the water (moisture) content in mineral soils and rock.
1.2 This standard has two different ways to determine the water content of the specimen prior to determining the ash content based on the application for which the peat or organic soil is being used. For general classification of peat/organic soils not being used for fuel, the water content is determined using oven drying. For peat/organic soils being used as a fuel, the water content is determined first by air drying followed by oven drying.
1.3 There are two Methods, A and B, for determining the ash content and organic material of peat or organic soils. For general classification purposes, Method A is used to determine the water content, ash content, and organic material. When the peat is being used as a fuel, Method B is used to determine the water content, ash content and organic material.
1.3.1 Method A—The ash content and organic material of peat or organic soils is determined by igniting the oven-dried specimen as obtained from the water content determination in a furnace at 440 ± 40°C. This method is used for general purposes and should not be used when the peat or organic soils are being used or evaluated for use as a fuel.
1.3.2 Method B—The ash content and organic material of peat or organic soils is determined by igniting the air-dried then oven-dried specimen obtained from the water content determination in a furnace at 750 ± 38°C. This method is used when the peat or organic soil is being used as or evaluated for use as a fuel.
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for...
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Designation: D2974 − 20
Standard Test Methods for
Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and
1
Organic Material of Peat and Other Organic Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2974; 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* 1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of water
Practice D6026.
(moisture) content, ash content, and organic material in peats
1.5.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
and other organic soils, such as organic clays, silts, and mucks.
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
Test Method D2216 provides for determining the water (mois-
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
ture) content in mineral soils and rock.
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
1.2 This standard has two different ways to determine the
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
water content of the specimen prior to determining the ash
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
content based on the application for which the peat or organic
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
soil is being used. For general classification of peat/organic
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
soils not being used for fuel, the water content is determined
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
using oven drying. For peat/organic soils being used as a fuel,
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
the water content is determined first by air drying followed by
methods for engineering design.
oven drying.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.3 There are two Methods, A and B, for determining the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ash content and organic material of peat or organic soils. For
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
general classification purposes, MethodAis used to determine
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
the water content, ash content, and organic material. When the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
peat is being used as a fuel, Method B is used to determine the
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
water content, ash content and organic material.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.3.1 Method A—The ash content and organic material of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
peat or organic soils is determined by igniting the oven-dried
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
specimen as obtained from the water content determination in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
a furnace at 440 6 40°C. This method is used for general
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
purposes and should not be used when the peat or organic soils
2. Referenced Documents
are being used or evaluated for use as a fuel.
2
1.3.2 Method B—The ash content and organic material of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
peatororganicsoilsisdeterminedbyignitingtheair-driedthen
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
oven-dried specimen obtained from the water content determi-
Fluids
nation in a furnace at 750 6 38°C. This method is used when
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
the peat or organic soil is being used as or evaluated for use as
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
a fuel.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
D4427 Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing
this standard.
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for
2
Plant Growth. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2020. Published March 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D2974 – 14. DOI: Standards volume inform
...
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: D2974 − 14 D2974 − 20
Standard Test Methods for
Moisture, Ash, and Organic MatterDetermining the Water
(Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of
1
Peat and Other Organic Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2974; 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 These test methods cover the measurement of water (moisture) content, ash content, and organic material in peats and other
organic soils, such as organic clays, silts, and mucks. Test Method D2216 provides for determining the water (moisture) content
in mineral soils and rock.
1.2 This standard has two different ways to determine the water content of the specimen prior to determining the ash content
based on the application for which the peat or organic soil is being used. For general classification of peat/organic soils not being
used for fuel, the water content is determined using oven drying. For peat/organic soils being used as a fuel, the water content is
determined first by air drying followed by oven drying.
1.3 These test methods cover the measurement of moisture There are two Methods, A and B, for determining the ash content
and organic material of peat or organic soils. For general classification purposes, Method A is used to determine the water content,
ash content, and organic matter in peats and other organic soils, such as organic clays, silts, and mucks. Test material. When the
peat is being used as a fuel, Method D2216 provides an alternative method for determining moisture content in mineral soils and
rock.B is used to determine the water content, ash content and organic material.
1.1.1 Test Method A—Moisture is determined by drying peat or organic sample at 110 6 5°C.
1.1.2 Test Method B—Alternative moisture method which removes the total moisture in two steps: (1) evaporation of moisture
at room temperature, (2) subsequent oven drying of air dried sample at 110 6 5°C. This method is used when the peat is to be
used as fuel.
1.3.1 Test Method C—A—Ash content of a The ash content and organic material of peat or organic soil sample, for general
purposes, soils is determined by igniting oven dried sample from moisture the oven-dried specimen as obtained from the water
content determination in a furnace at 440 6 40°C. This method is used for general purposes and should not be used when the peat
or organic soils are being used or evaluated for use as a fuel.
1.3.2 Test Method D—B—Ash content of a The ash content and organic material of peat or organic soil sample, for materials
used for fuel, soils is determined by igniting oven dried sample from moisture the air-dried then oven-dried specimen obtained
from the water content determination in a furnace at 750 6 38°C. This method is used when the peat or organic soil is being used
as or evaluated for use as a fuel.
1.2 Test Method A should be used for general classification, except for use of the peat as a fuel. Test Method B should be used
when peats are being evaluated for use as a fuel
1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyonebeyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Medium
Media for Plant Growth.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2014Jan. 15, 2020. Published November 2014March 2020. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20132014
as D2974 – 1
...
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