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 sets out the standard practice for calculating the tonnage of coal in a stockpile. Developed by ASTM International, this guideline is widely recognized for providing a consistent method to quantify the total mass of coal using stockpile volume and density measurements. This practice ensures reliable physical inventory data, supporting key operational, accounting, and tax functions for organizations involved in coal handling, storage, and trading.

Why Accurate Tonnage Calculation Matters

Accurate coal tonnage determination is crucial for:

• Inventory management and reconciliation
• Financial accounting and tax reporting
• Operational planning and logistics
• Validating deliveries and shipments

Key Topics

ASTM D6542 covers several significant considerations and procedural steps:

• Applicability: The method applies to all ranks of coal, making it broadly useful across the coal industry.
• Calculation Basis: Tonnage is calculated from the measured volume of the stockpile (using ASTM D6172) and the bulk density of the coal (measured as per ASTM D6347/D6347M).
• Moisture Adjustments: Users must decide whether to report tonnage based on as-determined, dry, or other moisture-adjusted bases. Moisture content greatly affects the density and thus the final inventory figure.
• Volume and Density Measurement: Emphasizes direct measurement methods and supports confidence intervals and combined tolerances for reported results.
• Reporting Requirements: Clear documentation is required on ownership, measurement dates, calculated tons, basis for moisture adjustment, and confidence intervals.

Applications

This standard practice is essential for organizations dealing with bulk coal storage and coal stockpile management, including:

• Power plants: Managing fuel inventories for continuous operations.
• Mines and coal terminals: Accurate tracking for production reporting.
• Rail, truck, or conveyor coal transfer points: Cross-checking tonnage received or dispatched.
• Auditing and internal controls: Providing reliable inventory numbers for external audits and compliance.
• Taxation and financial accounting: Reliable figures crucial for valuation, audits, and government reporting.

Companies benefit from ASTM D6542 by:

• Reducing discrepancies between physical and book inventories
• Supporting reconciliation of coal received, shipped, or consumed
• Enhancing asset valuation accuracy

Related Standards

To implement ASTM D6542 effectively, these referenced standards should be used in conjunction:

• ASTM D6172: Test Method for Determining the Volume of Bulk Materials Using Contours or Cross Sections
• ASTM D6347/D6347M: Test Method for Determination of Bulk Density of Coal Using Nuclear Backscatter Methods
• ASTM D121: Terminology of Coal and Coke
• ASTM D2013: Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
• ASTM D3173 & D3302: Test Methods for Moisture in Coal

These related standards ensure that measurements follow industry best practices for accuracy and repeatability in coal tonnage calculation.

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Keywords: coal tonnage calculation, ASTM D6542, coal stockpile, inventory management, coal density, coal volume, bulk density, coal industry standards, moisture adjustment, physical inventory, ASTM International

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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