ASTM D2798-09

Standard Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The mean maximum reflectance of the vitrinite component in coal as determined by this test method is often used as an indicator of rank as presented in Classification D 388, independent of petrographic composition, and in the characterization of coal as feedstock for carbonization, gasification, liquefaction, and combustion processes.
This test method is for use in scientific and industrial research.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the microscopical determination of both the mean maximum and mean random reflectances measured in oil of polished surfaces of vitrinite and other macerals present in coals ranging in rank from lignite to anthracite. This test method can be used to determine the reflectance of other macerals.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2009
• ICS: 71.060.10 - Chemical elements
• Technical Committee: D05 - Coal and Coke
• Drafting Committee: D05.28 - Petrographic Analysis of Coal and Coke

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D2798-09a - Standard Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2009

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D 2798 – 09
Standard Test Method for
Microscopical Determination of the Vitrinite Reflectance of
1
Coal
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2798; 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 (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope scopic system that photometrically measures the amount of
light reflected from the surface. The reflected light is recorded
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthemicroscopicaldetermination
in percent reflectance after calibration of photometric equip-
of both the mean maximum and mean random reflectances
ment by measuring the reflected light from standards of
measured in oil of polished surfaces of vitrinite and other
reflectance as calculated from their refractive indices.
macerals present in coals ranging in rank from lignite to
anthracite. This test method can be used to determine the
5. Significance and Use
reflectance of other macerals.
5.1 The mean maximum reflectance of the vitrinite compo-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
nent in coal as determined by this test method is often used as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
an indicator of rank as presented in Classification D 388,
standard.
independent of petrographic composition, and in the charac-
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
terization of coal as feedstock for carbonization, gasification,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
liquefaction, and combustion processes.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.2 This test method is for use in scientific and industrial
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
research.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents
2 6.1 Microscope—Any microscope equipped for reflected
2.1 ASTM Standards:
light microscopy (such as a metallurgical or opaque-ore mi-
D 121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
croscope) can be used, provided the lens combination of
D 388 Classification of Coals by Rank
objective and eyepieces permits examination of the specimen
D 2797 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Micro-
at a magnification between 400 and 3 750, such that particles
scopical Analysis by Reflected Light
of 1 µm can be resolved.The objectives shall be constructed so
3. Terminology that samples can be examined in oil with plane-polarized light
and have the highest quality of antireflection coatings. The
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms, refer to Terminol-
microscope shall be able to project an image at similar
ogy D 121.
magnification to a photomultiplier tube and to support the
3.2 Abbreviations:
photomultiplier tube housing. Means shall be provided to
3.2.1 R —mean maximum reflectance measured in oil.
max
position the tube housing laterally to obtain maximum re-
3.2.2 R —mean random reflectance measured in oil.
m
sponse. The microscope shall have a circular stage that is
4. Summary of Test Method capable of rotating a specimen through 360°. The mechanical
stage attached to the microscope stage shall enable the analyst
4.1 Thereflectanceofthemaceralvitriniteorothermacerals
to move the specimen accurately (within 0.1 mm) to a given
is determined in this test method by illuminating a polished
field location. A combination of objective and circular stage
surface of a section of coal in immersion oil using a micro-
shall permit centering. The viewing eyepiece shall be supplied
with a crosshair or grid to be used as a reference to locate
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal
precisely the area sampled by the phototube. During measure-
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.28 on Petrographic
ment, no light shall be permitted to enter the observer’s end of
Analysis of Coal and Coke.
the viewing eyepiece.
Current edition approved April 1, 2009. Published April 2009. Originally
approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D 2798 – 06.
6.2 Polarizer and Illuminator—The light incident on the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
vertical illuminator of the microscope shall be plane-polarized
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
by a prism or sheet polarizer. The vertical illuminator can
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. contain a Berek prism, a Smith illuminator, or high-quality
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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: D 2798 – 09
Standard Test Method for
Microscopical Determination of the Vitrinite Reflectance of
1
Coal
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2798; 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 microscopical determination of both the mean maximum and mean random reflectances
measured in oil of polished surfaces of vitrinite and other macerals present in coals ranging in rank from lignite to anthracite. This
test method can be used to determine the reflectance of other macerals.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
D 388 Classification of Coals by Rank
D 2797 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Microscopical Analysis by Reflected Light
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms, refer to Terminology D 121.
3.2 Abbreviations:
3.2.1 R —mean maximum reflectance measured in oil.
max
3.2.2 R —mean random reflectance measured in oil.
m
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Thereflectanceofthemaceralvitriniteorothermaceralsisdeterminedinthistestmethodbyilluminatingapolishedsurface
of a section of coal in immersion oil using a microscopic system that photometrically measures the amount of light reflected from
the surface. The reflected light is recorded in percent reflectance after calibration of photometric equipment by measuring the
reflected light from standards of reflectance as calculated from their refractive indices.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The mean maximum reflectance of the vitrinite component in coal as determined by this test method is often used as an
indicator of rank as presented in Classification D 388, independent of petrographic composition, and in the characterization of coal
as feedstock for carbonization, gasification, liquefaction, and combustion processes.
5.2 This test method is for use in scientific and industrial research.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Microscope—Any microscope equipped for reflected light microscopy (such as a metallurgical or opaque-ore microscope)
can be used, provided the lens combination of objective and eyepieces permits examination of the specimen at a magnification
between 400 and 3 750, such that particles of 1 µm can be resolved. The objectives shall be constructed so that samples can be
examined in oil with plane-polarized light and have the highest quality of antireflection coatings. The microscope shall be able to
project an image at similar magnification to a photomultiplier tube and to support the photomultiplier tube housing. Means shall
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D05 on Coal and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.28 on PetrographicAnalysis
of Coal and Coke.
Current edition approved April 1, 2009. Published April 2009. Originally approved in 1969. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D 2798 – 06.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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

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D2798–09
be provided to position the tube housing laterally to obtain maximum response. The microscope shall have a circular stage that
is capable of rotating a specimen through 360°. The mechanical stage attached to the microscope stage shall enable the analyst to
move the specimen accurately (within 0.1 mm) to a given field location.Acombination of objective and circular stage shall permit
centering. The viewing eyepiece shall be supplied with a crosshair or grid to be used as a reference to locate precisely the area
sampled by the phototube. During measurement, no light shall be permitted to enter the observer’s end
...