ASTM D6542-05(2018)e1

Standard Practice for Tonnage Calculation of Coal in a Stockpile

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The physical inventory of tons of coal in a stockpile, as calculated by this practice, may be used for accounting and tax purposes.  
4.2 The inventory results may be compared to other estimates of the inventory, such as:  
4.2.1 Tons from a previous inventory less tons shipped or consumed.  
4.2.2 Tons estimated to have been received (from conveyor, rail, or truck weights) less tons shipped or consumed.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is used to calculate the mass (commonly expressed in tons) of coal in a storage pile using the volume of the stockpile by Test Method D6172 and the density of the coal determined by Test Method D6347/D6347M.  
1.2 This practice is applicable to all ranks of coal.  
1.3 The user of this standard determines when the density values provided by the survey require an adjustment for moisture.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2018
• ICS: 73.040 - Coals
• Technical Committee: D05 - Coal and Coke
• Drafting Committee: D05.07 - Physical Characteristics of Coal

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6542-05(2018) - Standard Practice for Tonnage Calculation of Coal in a Stockpile
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2018
• Refers: ASTM D121-15(2024) - Standard Terminology of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM D6347/D6347M-05(2018) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Bulk Density of Coal Using Nuclear Backscatter Depth Density Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM D121-15 - Standard Terminology of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015
• Refers: ASTM D3173-11 - Standard Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Refers: ASTM D6347/D6347M-05(2010) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Bulk Density of Coal Using Nuclear Backscatter Depth Density Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2010
• Refers: ASTM D6172-98(2010) - Standard Test Method for Determining the Volume of Bulk Materials Using Contours or Cross Sections Created by Direct Operator Compilation Using Photogrammetric Procedures
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2010
• Refers: ASTM D121-09a - Standard Terminology of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM D121-09 - Standard Terminology of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2009
• Refers: ASTM D121-08 - Standard Terminology of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2008
• Refers: ASTM D3173-03(2008) - Standard Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Refers: ASTM D3302-07a - Standard Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Refers: ASTM D3302-07ae1 - Standard Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2007
• Refers: ASTM D3302-07e1 - Standard Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007
• Refers: ASTM D3302-07 - Standard Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2007

Overview

ASTM D6542-05(2018)e1 - Standard Practice for Tonnage Calculation of Coal in a Stockpile - provides a systematic method for determining the mass of coal in storage piles. This standard is essential for ensuring accurate stockpile management in the coal industry and supports effective accounting, inventory reconciliation, and reporting. The practice utilizes measured stockpile volume and bulk density data to calculate tonnage. It applies to all ranks of coal and incorporates established methodologies for volume measurement and density determination.

Key Topics

• Stockpile Tonnage Calculation: This standard enables users to calculate the total mass of coal using the volume of the pile (measured per ASTM D6172) and the bulk density (determined by ASTM D6347/D6347M).
• Applicability: Suitable for all coal ranks, making it a versatile tool for coal operators, accountants, and inventory managers.
• Moisture Adjustment: The practice allows density values to be adjusted according to moisture content, with relevant determinations made by referenced ASTM methods.
• Reporting Requirements: The standard specifies the required elements for reporting, such as owner details, measurement dates, calculated tonnage, density and volume values, moisture basis, and confidence intervals.
• Comparison and Reconciliation: Provides a framework for comparing physical stockpile inventories with previous balances, shipment records, and other estimation methods.
• Measurement Units: Inch-pound units are standard; SI values are provided for informational purposes but are not normative.
• Safety and Compliance: Highlights the need for users to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices relevant to local and international regulations.

Applications

• Inventory Management: Used by mining and power generation companies to monitor and control coal inventory levels with confidence.
• Accounting and Taxation: Facilitates precise inventory reporting for financial accounting and tax liability purposes.
• Reconciliation and Auditing: Helps reconcile physical stockpile quantities with shipment and receipt records, supporting both internal audits and regulatory compliance.
• Operational Planning: Allows operational teams to manage supply, optimize coal movement, and plan shipments or consumption more effectively.
• Regulatory Reporting: Assures compliance with standards required by agencies that oversee energy resources, environmental impact, and material handling.

Related Standards

• ASTM D6172: Test Method for Determining the Volume of Bulk Materials Using Contours or Cross Sections Created by Photogrammetric Procedures.
• ASTM D6347/D6347M: Test Method for Determination of Bulk Density of Coal Using Nuclear Backscatter Depth Density Methods.
• ASTM D121: Terminology of Coal and Coke – use for standard definitions.
• ASTM D2013: Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis.
• ASTM D3173: Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke.
• ASTM D3302: Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal.

Practical Value

Implementing ASTM D6542 is crucial for organizations that store, process, or trade coal, as it enables accurate, consistent, and auditable tonnage calculations. By following this standardized approach, companies ensure data integrity, improve operational efficiency, and meet both internal policies and external regulatory demands. This standard supports transparent communication with stakeholders, auditors, and authorities, building trust in reported inventory values and overall coal stockpile management.

Keywords: stockpile tonnage, coal inventory, volume measurement, bulk density, ASTM D6542, coal industry standards, moisture adjustment, inventory reporting, coal stockpile calculation.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
´1
Designation: D6542 − 05 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Practice for
Tonnage Calculation of Coal in a Stockpile
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6542; 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.
ε NOTE—Units statement corrected editorially in December 2018.
1. Scope D3302 Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
D6172 Test Method for Determining the Volume of Bulk
1.1 This practice is used to calculate the mass (commonly
Materials Using Contours or Cross Sections Created by
expressed in tons) of coal in a storage pile using the volume of
Direct Operator Compilation Using Photogrammetric Pro-
the stockpile byTest Method D6172 and the density of the coal
cedures
determined by Test Method D6347/D6347M.
D6347/D6347M Test Method for Determination of Bulk
1.2 This practice is applicable to all ranks of coal.
Density of Coal Using Nuclear Backscatter Depth Density
Methods
1.3 The user of this standard determines when the density
values provided by the survey require an adjustment for
3. Terminology
moisture.
3.1 Definitions—There are no terms in this practice that
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
require new or other than dictionary definitions. Many terms in
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
this practice may be found in Terminology D121.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
4. Significance and Use
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 The physical inventory of tons of coal in a stockpile, as
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
calculated by this practice, may be used for accounting and tax
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
purposes.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2 The inventory results may be compared to other esti-
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
mates of the inventory, such as:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.2.1 Tons from a previous inventory less tons shipped or
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
consumed.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.2.2 Tons estimated to have been received (from conveyor,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
rail, or truck weights) less tons shipped or consumed.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5. Procedure
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Determine if the reported tonnage should be on an
2.1 ASTM Standards:
as-determined basis, or some other moisture adjusted basis. If
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
the moisture content was determined on the density-
D2013 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
measurementsamples(seeTestMethodD6347/D6347M),then
D3173 Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of
the density data (and the tonnage) can be calculated to a dry
Coal and Coke
basis or to another moisture-containing basis.
5.1.1 Use Eq 1 or Eq 2 to adjust the as-determined density
to a different moisture basis. The percent moisture determined
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and
in accordance with Test Methods D3173, D3302,or D2013 in
Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.07 on Physical
Characteristics of Coal.
the samples collected according Test Method D6347/D6347M
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2018. Published January 2019. Originally
is used in Eq 1 or Eq 2.
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D6542–05(2018).
5.1.2 Use Eq 1 to adjust the average density values to a dry
DOI: 10.1520/D6542-05R18E01.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or basis:
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