ASTM D388-23
(Classification)Standard Classification of Coals by Rank
Standard Classification of Coals by Rank
ABSTRACT
This specification 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. These coals are mainly composed of vitrinite. The classification shall be based on gradational properties that depend on the degree of metamorphism. The classification shall also be according to fixed carbon and gross calorific value calculated to the mineral-matter-free basis.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This classification establishes categories of coal based on gradational properties that depend principally on the degree of metamorphism to which the coal was subjected while buried. These categories indicate ranges of physical and chemical characteristics that are useful in making broad estimates of the behavior of coal in mining, preparation, and use.
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 D2798 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.
1.3 The accuracy 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.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4.1 Exception—The values stated in British thermal units per pound (Btu/lb) are to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents of Btu/lb 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
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.
Designation: D388 − 23
Standard Classification of
1
Coals by Rank
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D388; 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 ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 This standard covers the classification of coals by rank,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
that is, according to their degree of metamorphism, or progres-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sive alteration, in the natural series from lignite to anthracite.
1.2 This classification is applicable to coals that are com-
2. Referenced Documents
posed mainly of vitrinite.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—Coals rich in inertinite or liptinite (exinite), or both, cannot be D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
properly classified because, in those macerals, the properties that deter-
D720/D720M Test Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
mine rank (calorific value, volatile matter, and agglomerating character)
D1412/D1412M Test Method for Equilibrium Moisture of
differ greatly from those of vitrinite in the same coal. Often, such coals can
Coal at 96 to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30 °C
be recognized by megascopic examination. In North America, these coals
D2013/D2013M Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for
are mostly nonbanded varieties that contain only a small proportion of
vitrain and consist mainly of attrital materials. The degree of metamor- Analysis
phism of nonbanded and other vitrinite-poor coals can be estimated by
D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample
determining the classification properties of isolated or concentrated
of Coal
vitrinite fractions, or by determining the reflectance of the vitrinite (see
D2798 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the
Test Method D2798 and Appendix X1 of this classification). However, in
Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
the use of these vitrinite-poor coals, some properties normally associated
with rank, such as rheology, combustibility, hardness, and grindability (as
D3172 Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
well as the rank determining properties) may differ substantially from
D3173/D3173M Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis
those of vitrinite-rich coals of the same degree of metamorphism.
Sample of Coal and Coke
1.3 The accuracy of the classification of impure coal may be
D3174 Test Method for Ash in the Analysis Sample of Coal
impaired by the effect of large amounts of mineral matter on
and Coke from Coal
the determination of volatile matter and calorific value, and on
D3175 Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis
their calculation to the mineral-matter-free basis.
Sample of Coal and Coke
D3302/D3302M Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D4239 Test Method for Sulfur in the Analysis Sample of
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
Coal and Coke Using High-Temperature Tube Furnace
only.
Combustion
1.4.1 Exception—The values stated in British thermal units
D4596 Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal
per pound (Btu/lb) are to be regarded as the standard. The SI
in a Mine
equivalents of Btu/lb are provided for information only and are
D5016 Test Method for Total Sulfur in Coal and Coke
not considered standard.
Combustion Residues Using a High-Temperature Tube
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Furnace Combustion Method with Infrared Absorption
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D5192 Practice for Collection of Coal Samples from Core
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D5865 Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Coke
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3. Terminology
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1 Definitions:
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal
2
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.23 on Sampling. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 15, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1934. Last
...
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: D388 − 19a D388 − 23
Standard Classification of
1
Coals by Rank
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D388; 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 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 D2798 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.
1.3 The accuracy 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.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4.1 Exception—The values stated in British thermal units per pound (Btu/lb) are to be regarded as the standard. The SI
equivalents of Btu/lb 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
D720/D720M Test Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.23 on Sampling.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019May 15, 2023. Published November 2019June 2023. Originally approved in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as
D388 – 19.D388 – 19a. DOI: 10.1520/D0388-19A.10.1520/D0388-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. 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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D388 − 23
D1412/D1412M Test Method for Equilibrium Moisture of Coal at 96 to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30 °C
D2013/D2013M Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample of Coal
D2798 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of the Vitrinite Reflectance of Coal
D3172 Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
D3173/D3173M Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke
D3174 Test Method for Ash in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke from Coal
D3175 Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke
D3302/D3302M
...
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