ASTM D4749-87(1994)e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Performing the Sieve Analysis of Coal and Designating Coal Size
Standard Test Method for Performing the Sieve Analysis of Coal and Designating Coal Size
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the sieve analysis of coal and designating the size of coal from sieve analysis data. Raw as well as prepared (crushed, cleaned or screened) coals can be tested by this test method.
1.2 This test method explains how to designate coal sizes from the results of sieve analysis data in order to represent the condition of the coal as sold. In the case of special mixtures or coals with noncontinuous ranges of sizes, a sufficiently complete sieve analysis must be made to properly describe the size distribution.
1.3 This test method is not applicable for determining the sieve analysis nor for designating the size of pulverized coal. Size fractions down to and including 38 [mu]m (No. 400 U.S.A. Standard Series) can be treated by the methods discussed in this test method. Methods for handling size fractions below 38 [mu]m (No. 400) will be developed by this committee.
1.4 The values stated in metric units shall be regarded as standard. The values shown in parentheses are provided for information only. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other, without combining values in any way.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
e1
Designation: D 4749 – 87 (Reapproved 1994)
Standard Test Method for
Performing the Sieve Analysis of Coal and Designating Coal
Size
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4749; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
e NOTE—Section 17 added editorially in November 1994.
1. Scope D 2013 Method of Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
D 2234 Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample of Coal
1.1 This test method covers procedures for determining the
D 4371 Test Method for Determining the Washability Char-
sieve analysis of coal and designating the size of coal from
acteristics of Coal
sieve analysis data. Raw as well as prepared (crushed, cleaned
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
or screened) coals can be tested by this test method.
poses
1.2 This test method explains how to designate coal sizes
E 323 Specification for Perforated-Plate Sieves for Testing
from the results of sieve analysis data in order to represent the
Purposes
condition of the coal as sold. In the case of special mixtures or
2.2 Other Document:
coals with noncontinuous ranges of sizes, a sufficiently com-
Specification C-80 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, De-
plete sieve analysis must be made to properly describe the size
partment of General Services, Bureau of Purchases, Speci-
distribution.
fication for Coal:Anthracite
1.3 This test method is not applicable for determining the
sieve analysis nor for designating the size of pulverized coal.
3. Descriptions of Terms Specific to this Standard
Size fractions down to and including 38 μm (No. 400 U.S.A.
3.1 as-mined coal—same as ROM coal (3.8).
Standard Series) can be treated by the methods discussed in
3.2 as-shipped or produced coal—raw or prepared coal in
this test method. Methods for handling size fractions below 38
any state or condition at which it leaves the mine property or
μm (No. 400) will be developed by this committee.
loading facility.
1.4 The values stated in metric units shall be regarded as
3.3 bottomsize, nominal—the sieve designating the lower
standard. The values shown in parentheses are provided for
limit or bottomsize shall be that sieve of the series given in
information only. The values stated in each system may not be
Section 6 with the largest openings through which passes a
exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used inde-
total of less than 15 % of the sample. This defined bottomsize
pendently of the other, without combining values in any way.
is not to be confused with the size of the smallest particles in
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the lot.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
NOTE 1—Precaution: In the case of a commercial, double-screened
1 3
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- product, for example, 37.5 by 9.5 mm (1 ⁄2 by ⁄8 in.), this designation may
not be valid. In such commercial or contractual situations, the amount of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
allowable material smaller than the bottomsize (for example, 9.5 mm)
must be specified by the contract under which the coal is bought and sold.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.4 dry sieving—for the purposes of this test method, the
test method for the sieving of coal after the sample has been
D 197 Test Method for Sampling and Fineness Test of
Pulverized Coal air-dried under prescribed conditions; this is generally used
when testing with coal particles larger than 600 μm. (No. 30
D 346 Practice for Collection and Preparation of Coke
Samples for Laboratory Analysis U.S.A. Standard Sieve Series.)
3.5 opening—for the purpose of this test method, openings
D 388 Classification of Coals by Rank
and apertures shall be regarded as synonomous terms. Dimen-
sions for round and square openings shall be determined as
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-5 on Coal and
follows: for round holes, dimensions shall refer to the opening
Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.07 on Physical
Characterization and Beneficiation of Coal and Coal Slurries.
Current edition approved Nov. 27, 1987. Published January 1988.
2 4
For powdered or pulverized coal as is fired into steam boilers, refer to Method Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
D 197. Available from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dept. of General Services,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.05. Bureau of Purchases, 414 N. Office Building, Harrisburg, PA 17125.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4749
diameter; for square holes, dimensions shall refer to the 4.4 This test method also concerns the designation of a coal
distance between parallel wires. sample as to its upper (nominal top-size) and lower (nominal
3.6 prepared coal—any coal, regardless of its topsize, that bottom-size) limiting sizes for the purpose of characterizing the
has been manually or mechanically cleaned. This includes coal material for further processing or for commercial purposes.
that has been processed over a picking table or air tables, This is covered in Part B of this test method. Anthracite coal is
through a breaker, jig, or other device which segregates further designated by a one word descriptive term (see 14.4).
according to size or density (specific gravity). 4.5 Enough material may not be collected by this test
3.7 raw coal—any coal, regardless of its topsize, that has method to meet subsequent test procedures, such as washabil-
not been manually or mechanically cleaned. Crushed coal that ity analyses (Test Method D 4371).
has not been mechanically cleaned (including coal that has not
PART A. SIEVE ANALYSIS OF COAL
been through a breaker which normally rejects oversize) is
considered to be raw coal. Coal delivered to the surface from
5. Apparatus
an underground mine is considered to be raw coal even when
5.1 Sieves:
crushing and grinding is done underground. Coal removed
5.1.1 Wire Cloth Sieves:
from the pit of a surface mine is considered to be raw coal even
5.1.1.1 Standard test sieves that conform to Specification
when breaking and crushing facilities are provided in the pit.
E 11 shall always be used.
3.8 run-of-mine (ROM) coal—in the case of an underground
5.1.1.2 For most sieve tests, where the largest particle in the
mine, it is that coal delivered to the surface by a slope belt,
sample does not exceed 25 mm (1 in.), standard 203-mm
hoist, etc. In the case of a surface mine, it is that coal as it exists
(8-in.) diameter, 50-mm (2-in.) deep sieves or sieves with
after it has been removed from the pit and placed into the initial
larger diameters (for example 300 mm (12 in.) or 450 mm (18
means of transportation whether it be an on-the-road or
in.)) are recommended. For special cases, and with small
off-the-road haul truck, dump hopper which feeds a pit-to-plant
samples, 75-mm (3-in.) and 150-mm (6-in.) diameter sieves are
conveyor, etc. For both underground and surface mines, ROM
available.
coal is as-mined and has not been exposed to any treatment
5.1.1.3 Standard test sieves shall be made from either brass
such as breaking, crushing, or cleaning except for that done by
or stainless steel frames and either brass, phosphor bronze, or
the normal operations used to extract the coal from the ground,
stainless steel cloth.
that is, blasting, ripping, loading, cutting, etc.
5.1.1.4 In general, these square mesh sieves are used when
3.9 topsize, nominal—the sieve designating the upper limit
sizing with sieves with openings smaller than 6.3 mm ( ⁄4 in.).
or topsize shall be that sieve of the series given in Section 6
U.S.A. Standard Sieve Designations shall be used.
with the smallest openings upon which is cumulatively retained
5.1.1.5 For more complete details of standard test sieves,
a total of less than 5 % of the sample. This defined topsize is
including methods of checking and calibrating the sieves, see
not to be confused with the size of the largest particle in the lot.
Specification E 11.
3.10 wet sieving—for the purposes of this test method, the
5.1.2 Perforated Plate Sieves:
test method for the sieving of coal that uses water as a medium
5.1.2.1 Perforated plate sieves, made to conform to Speci-
for facilitating the segregation of the sample into particle sizes;
fication E 323, are available with square apertures from 125
this is generally used when testing coal particles 600 μm (No.
mm (5 in.) to 3.36 mm (0.132 in.) and with staggered round
30 U.S.A. Standard Series) or smaller.
apertures from 125 mm (5 in.) to 1 mm (0.038 in.). The sizes
4. Significance and Use of successive apertures in the series follow the same ratio as in
Specification E 11 for sieves.
4.1 This test method concerns the sieving of coal into
5.1.2.2 Standard frames for perforated plate sieves with
designated size fractions for the purpose of characterizing the
apertures 4.00 mm and larger are made of hardwood or steel to
material as to its particle size distribution for further processing
hold 300-mm (12-in.), 400-mm (16-in.), or 450-mm (18-in.)
or for commercial purposes. This is covered in Part A of this
square sieve plates. For apertures smaller than 4.00 mm,
standard. Raw, as well as prepared (crushed, cleaned, or
203-mm (8-in.) circular frames as well as the above larger
screened), coals can be tested by this test method.
square frames may be used.
4.2 This test method is applicable for all types of coals,
5.1.2.3 In general, round hole sieves with staggered open-
except for pulverized coals (see Method D 197) such as fed
ings are used when sizing with sieves with opening diameters
into steam boilers. Low rank coals, that is, lignites, subbitu-
of 6.3 mm ( ⁄4 in.) or larger.
minous, and high volatile bituminous C, must be dried with
5.1.2.4 Where perforated sieves and wire cloth sieves are
caution and handled with care to minimize deterioration or size
used in the same test (for example, in an analysis from 125 mm
degradation during sieving.
(5 in.) to 250 μm (No. 60)) or where results with perforated
4.3 This test method is applicable for the wet or dry-sieving
sieves are to be compared with results with wire cloth sieves,
of coal at sizes from 200 mm (8 in.) to 38 μm (No. 400 U.S.A.
it is better to use only square aperture sieves.
Standard). Methods for sizing materials below 38 μm are
outside the scope of this test method.
NOTE 3—This action should be taken primarily while performing
sieving analyses on noncommercial samples, as, for instance, in prepara-
NOTE 2—The sizing of material that passes the 38 μm sieve is normally
tion plant component studies (see 6.5.1). In commerce, mixed series are
performed by optical microscopy, sedimentation, centrifugation, light
still customary (see 6.1.1 and 6.3.1).
scattering or obfuscation, surface area measurement, or other such
methods. Subsieve techniques are also used sometimes. 5.1.2.5 Results with a given square aperture and with the
D 4749
same diameter round aperture are not compatible. Therefore, subbituminous and lignitic coals:
all reports of sieve analysis data are incomplete without
Round Hole Perforated Plate Sieves
designation as to the type of sieves employed (round or square
200 mm (8 in.) 37.5 mm (1 ⁄2 in.)
openings).
150 mm (6 in.) 31.5 mm (1 ⁄4 in.)
5.1.2.6 Aperture sizes of some sieves for anthracitic coal
125 mm (5 in.) 25.0 mm (1 in.)
100 mm (4 in.) 19.0 mm ( ⁄4 in.)
(6.3.2.1) do not conform to Specification E 323.
75 mm (3 in.) 12.5 mm ( ⁄2 in.)
5.2 Mechanical Sieve Shaker:
1 3
63 mm (2 ⁄2 in.) 9.5 mm ( ⁄8 in.)
5.2.1 Mechanical sieve shakers are used in practically all 50 mm (2 in.) 6.3 mm ( ⁄4 in.)
laboratories where frequent tests are made. They not only
Wire Cloth (U.S.A. Standard) Sieves with Square Openings
eliminate tedious hand labor, but, when properly used, will
produce more consistent results than hand sieving. They can,
4.75 mm (No. 4) 300 μm (No. 50)
2.36 mm (No. 8) 150 μm (No. 100)
however, result in excessive sample degradation when proper
1.18 mm (No. 16) 75 μm (No. 200)
precautions are not taken. Therefore it is important to establish
600 μm (No. 30) 38 μm (No. 400)
and to monitor the sieving amplitude and the sieving time.
6.1.3 For crushed bituminous, subbituminous, and lignitic
5.2.2 There are several general types of mechanical sieve
coals, an alternate standard series of sieves can utilize square-
shakers. One type is designed to simulate hand sieving by
hole perforated plate or steel-wire sieves for sieves with
using a circular motion combined with a tapping action. This
openings of 6.3 mm ( ⁄4 in.) or larger and wire cloth (U.S.A.
type of mechanical sieve shaker is acceptable.
Standard) sieves for sieves with openings smaller than 6.3 mm
5.2.3 A type of sieve shaker which will handle a stack of
( ⁄4 in.). This alternate series shall use sieves with openings of
either round or rectangularly framed sieves and produces a
the same dimensions as those given in 6.1.2. When this
vigorous agitation is especially suitable for handling large
alternate series of square openings is used, the report must
samples of coarse material. This type of mechanical sieve
include this information.
shaker is acceptable for handling large samples provided it is
6.1.3.1 Since round hole 6.3-mm ( ⁄4-in.) perforated plate
not overloaded and provided agitation time is limited so that
sieves produce undersize of approximately the same amount as
degradation of the coal being sieved does not occur (see
4.75-mm (No. 4 U.S.A. Standard) wire cloth sieves, that is,
11.3.5).
these sieves are nearly equivalent, it is not necessary to utilize
NOTE 4—Some manufacturers can supply machines with reduced
both 6.3-mm ( ⁄4 in. round) perforated plate and 4.75-mm (No.
amplitude of vibration or variable speeds, or both, for soft materials.
4 U.S.A. Standard) wire cloth sieves simultaneously. The
5.2.4 Mechanical sieve shakers can generally be classified
selection of either will be sufficient.
into two types: batch (acceptable) and continuous (unaccept-
6.2 Coal Used as Coke Oven Charge:
able).
6.2.1 For coal that will be used as a coke oven charge, the
5.2.4.1 Batch—Batch mechanical sieve shakers are those in
standard series of sieves shall utilize square-hole perforated
which a controlled quantity of coal is placed into the apparatus
plate or steel-wire sieves with openings of 6.3 mm ( ⁄4 in.) or
and mechanical action is initiated. After a controlled time
larger and wire cloth (U.S.A. Standard) sieves for sieves with
period, mechanical action is
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