ASTM D2974-20e1
(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...
General Information
Relations
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: 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
ε NOTE—Subsection 4.1 was editorially corrected in March 2020.
1. Scope* 1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of water
this standard.
(moisture) content, ash content, and organic material in peats
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
and other organic soils, such as organic clays, silts, and mucks.
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Test Method D2216 provides for determining the water (mois-
Practice D6026.
ture) content in mineral soils and rock.
1.5.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
1.2 This standard has two different ways to determine the
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
water content of the specimen prior to determining the ash
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
content based on the application for which the peat or organic
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
soil is being used. For general classification of peat/organic
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
soils not being used for fuel, the water content is determined
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
using oven drying. For peat/organic soils being used as a fuel,
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
the water content is determined first by air drying followed by
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
oven drying.
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
1.3 There are two Methods, A and B, for determining the
methods for engineering design.
ash content and organic material of peat or organic soils. For
general classification purposes, MethodAis used to determine
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the water content, ash content, and organic material. When the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
peat is being used as a fuel, Method B is used to determine the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
water content, ash content and organic material. priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3.1 Method A—The ash content and organic material of
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
peat or organic soils is determined by igniting the oven-dried
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
specimen as obtained from the water content determination in
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
a furnace at 440 6 40°C. This method is used for general
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
purposes and should not be used when the peat or organic soils
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
are being used or evaluated for use as a fuel.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3.2 Method B—The ash content and organic material of
peatororganicsoilsisdeterminedbyignitingtheair-driedthen
2. Referenced Documents
oven-dried specimen obtained from the water content determi-
2
nation in a furnace at 750 6 38°C. This method is used when 2.1 ASTM Standards:
the peat or organic soil is being used as or evaluated for use as D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
a fuel. Fluids
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
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 information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D2974-20E01. the ASTM website.
*A S
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.