ISO/FDIS 13909-3
(Main)Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 3: Sampling of coal from stationary lots
Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 3: Sampling of coal from stationary lots
ISO 13909-3:2016 specifies procedures for the mechanical sampling of coal from stationary lots, for example, from wagons, barges, ships and stockpiles. These procedures are to be used when it is not possible to sample the lots during loading or discharge according to ISO 13909‑2:2016. Procedures for sample preparation are given in ISO 13909‑4:2016. ISO 13909-3:2016 is applicable to mechanical sampling from stationary coal lots, to obtain samples from which test samples for the determination of moisture, and for general analysis including physical and chemical tests, can be prepared in accordance with the requirements and recommendations set out in ISO 13909‑4:2016. In ISO 13909-3:2016, the principles and procedures for designing a sampling scheme are given, together with typical examples of applications; in addition, practices for the execution of sampling in different sampling situations are described. The methods described are limited to those on which it is possible to conduct a test for bias.
Charbon et coke — Échantillonnage mécanique — Partie 3: Échantillonnage du charbon sur lots statiques
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FINAL DRAFT
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ISO/TC 27/SC 4
Coal and coke — Mechanical
Secretariat: SABS
sampling —
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2025-04-09
Part 3:
Sampling of coal from stationary
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Reference number
FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 27/SC 4
Coal and coke — Mechanical
Secretariat: SABS
sampling —
Voting begins on:
Part 3:
Sampling of coal from stationary lots
Voting terminates on:
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
© ISO 2025
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
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Published in Switzerland Reference number
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Establishing a sampling scheme. 2
4.1 General .2
4.2 Design of the sampling scheme .2
4.2.1 Material to be sampled .2
4.2.2 Division of lots .2
4.2.3 Precision of sampling .2
4.2.4 Bias of sampling .3
4.3 Precision of results .3
4.3.1 Precision and total variance .3
4.3.2 Primary increment variance .4
4.3.3 Preparation and testing variance .4
4.3.4 Number of sub-lots and number of increments per sub-lot .4
4.4 Minimum mass of sample .6
4.5 Mass of primary increment .8
4.6 Size analysis .8
5 Methods of sampling from wagons, barges and ships . 9
5.1 General .9
5.2 Number of increments and sub-lots .10
5.2.1 General analysis and moisture samples .10
5.2.2 Common sample .10
5.3 Taking the increments .10
5.4 Distribution of increments.10
5.4.1 Wagons .10
5.4.2 Barges.10
5.4.3 Ships .10
5.4.4 Random selection of increments .11
6 Methods of sampling from stockpiles .11
7 Sampling equipment — mechanical auger .12
8 Handling and storage of samples . 14
9 Sample preparation .15
10 Minimization of bias . .15
10.1 Causes of bias . 15
10.2 Checking for precision and bias . 15
11 Verification .16
Bibliography . 17
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 27, Coal and coke, Subcommittee SC 4, Sampling.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 13909-3:2016), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— the title was updated to align with the ISO 13909 series;
— the scope was updated;
— several aspects of the sampling were updated to state of the art.
A list of all parts in the ISO 13909 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 13909-3:2025(en)
Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling —
Part 3:
Sampling of coal from stationary lots
1 Scope
This document specifies procedures for the mechanical sampling of coal from stationary lots, for example,
from wagons, barges, ships and stockpiles. These procedures are to be used when it is not possible to sample
the lots during loading or discharge according to ISO 13909-2. Procedures for sample preparation are given
in ISO 13909-4.
This document is applicable to mechanical sampling from stationary coal lots, to obtain samples from which
test samples for the determination of moisture, and for general analysis including physical and chemical
tests, can be prepared in accordance with the requirements and recommendations set out in ISO 13909-4.
In this document, the principles and procedures for designing a sampling scheme are given, together with
typical examples of applications; in addition, practices for the execution of sampling in different sampling
situations are described. The methods described are limited to those on which it is possible to conduct a test
for bias.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 13909-1, Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 1: General introduction
ISO 13909-2, Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 2: Sampling of coal from moving streams
ISO 13909-4, Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — P
...
ISO TC 27/SC 4
Date: 2025-0203-19
ISO TC 27/SC 4/WG 10
Secretariat: SABS
Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 3: Coal — Sampling of coal from stationary
lots
Houille et coke — Échantillonnage mécanique — Partie 3: Charbon — Échantillonnage sur lots
statiques
ISO/DISFDIS 13909-3:2025(en)
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation,
no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet,
without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO Copyright Office
CP 401 • CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland.
ii
ISO/DISFDIS 13909-3:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword . Error! Bookmark not defined.
1 Scope . Error! Bookmark not defined.
2 Normative references . Error! Bookmark not defined.
3 Terms and definitions . Error! Bookmark not defined.
4 Establishing a sampling scheme . Error! Bookmark not defined.
5 Methods of sampling from wagons, barges and ships . Error! Bookmark not defined.
6 Methods of sampling from stockpiles . Error! Bookmark not defined.
7 Sampling equipment — mechanical auger . Error! Bookmark not defined.
8 Handling and storage of samples . Error! Bookmark not defined.
9 Sample preparation . Error! Bookmark not defined.
10 Minimization of bias . Error! Bookmark not defined.
11 Verification . Error! Bookmark not defined.
Bibliography . Error! Bookmark not defined.
iii
ISO/DISFDIS 13909-3:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national
standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally
carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a
technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee.
International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in
the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all
matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documentsdocument should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance
with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of
(a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed
patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received
notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are
cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all
such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 27, Coal and coke, Subcommittee SC 4,
Sampling.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 13909--3:2016), which has been
technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— — the title has been modified and alignedwas updated to align with the rest of the ISO 13909
series;
—
— the scope was updated;
— several aspects of the sampling were updated to state of the art.
A list of all parts in the ISO 13909 series can be found on the ISO website.
iv
ISO/DISFDIS 13909-3:2025(en)
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
v
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 13909-3:2025(en)
Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 3: Coal — Sampling
of coal from stationary lots
1 Scope
This document specifies procedures for the mechanical sampling of coal from stationary lots, for
example, from wagons, barges, ships and stockpiles. These procedures are to be used when it is not
possible to sample the lots during loading or discharge according to ISO 13909-2. Procedures for
sample preparation are given in ISO 13909-4.
This document is applicable to mechanical sampling from stationary coal lots, to obtain samples from
which test samples for the determination of moisture, and for general analysis including physical and
chemical tests, can be prepared in accordance with the requirements and recommendations set out in
ISO 13909-4.
In this document, the principles and procedures for designing a sampling scheme are given, together
with typical examples of applications; in addition, practices for the execution of sampling in different
sampling situations are described. The methods described are limited to those on which it is possible to
conduct a test for bias.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 13909-1, Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 1: General introduction
ISO 13909-2, Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 2: Sampling of coal from moving
streams
ISO 13909-4, Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 4: Preparation of coal test samples of
coal
ISO 13909-7, Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 7: Methods for determining the
precision of sampling, sample preparation and testing
ISO 13909-8, Coal and coke — Mechanical sampling — Part 8: Methods of testing for bias
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 13909-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Establishing a sampling scheme
4.1 General
The general procedure for establishing a sampling scheme is as follows.
a) Define the quality parameters to be determined and the types of samples required.
b) Define the lot.
c) Define or assume the precision required (see 4.3.1).
d) Determine the method of combining the increments into samples and the method of sample
preparation (see ISO 13909-4).
e) Determine or assume the variability of the coal (see 4.3.2) and the variance of preparation and
testing (see 4.3.3). Methods for determining variability and variance of preparation and testing are
given in ISO 13909-7.
f) Establish the number of sub-lots and the number of increments per sub-lot required to attain the
desired precision (see 4.3.4).
g) Decide upon the sampling interval, in tonnes.
h) Ascertain the nominal top size of coal for the purpose of determining the minimum mass of sample
(see 4.4 and Table 1).
The nominal top size may initially be ascertained by consulting the consignment details, or by
visual estimation, and may be verified, if necessary, by preliminary test work.
i) Determine the minimum average increment mass (see 4.5).
4.2 Design of the sampling scheme
4.2.1 Material to be sampled
The first stage in the design of the scheme is to identify the coal to be sampled. Samples may be
required for technical evaluation, process control, quality control and for commercial reasons by both
the producer and the customer. It is essential to ascertain exactly at what stage in the coal-handling
process the sample is required and, as far as practicable, to design the scheme accordingly. In some
instances, however, it may prove impracticable to obtain samples at the preferred points and, in such
cases, a more practicable alternative is required.
4.2.2 Division of lots
A lot may be sampled as a whole or as a series of sub-lots, e.g. coal despatched or delivered over a
period of time, a ship load, a train load, a wagon load or coal produced in a certain period (e.g. a shift).
It maycan be necessary to divide a lot into a number of sub-lots in order to improve the precision of the
results.
For lots sampled over long periods, it maycan be expedient to divide the lot into a series of sub-lots,
obtaining a sample for each.
4.2.3 Precision of sampling
After the desired sample precision has been selected, the number of sub-lots and the minimum number
of increments per sub-lot collected shall be determined as described in 4.3.4, and the average mass of
the primary increments shall be determined as described in 4.5.
For single lots, the quality variation shall be assumed as the worst case (see 4.3.2 and 4.3.3). The
precision of sampling achieved may be measured using the procedure of replicate sampling (see
ISO 13909-7).
At the start of regular sampling of unknown coals, the worst-case quality variation shall be assumed, in
accordance with 4.3.2, 4.3.3 and 4.3.4. When sampling is in operation, a check may be carried out to
confirm that the desired precision has been achieved, using the procedures described in ISO 13909-7.
If any subsequent change in precision is required, the number of sub-lots and of increments shall be
changed as determined in 4.3.4 and the precision attained shall be rechecked. The precision shall also
be checked if there is any reason to suppose that the variability of the coal being sampled has increased.
The number of increments determined in 4.3.4 applies to the precision of the result when the sampling
errors are large relative to the testing errors, e.g. for moisture content.
4.2.4 Bias of sampling
It is of particular importance in sampling to ensure, as far as possible, that the parameter to be
measured is not altered by the sampling and sample preparation process or by subsequent storage
prior to testing. This maycan require, in some circumstances, a limit on the minimum mass of primary
increment (see 4.5).
When collecting samples for moisture determination from lots over an extended period, it maycan be
necessary to limit the standing time of samples by dividing the lot into a number of sub-lots (see
4.3.4.1).
When a coal sampling scheme is implemented, it shall be checked for bias in accordance with the
methods given in ISO 13909-8.
4.3 Precision of results
4.3.1 Precision and total variance
In all methods of sampling, sample preparation and analysis, errors are incurred and the experimental
results obtained from such methods for any given parameter will deviate from the true value of that
parameter. While the absolute deviation of a single result from the “true” value cannot be determined, it
is possible to make an estimate of the precision of the experimental results. This is the closeness with
which the results of a series of measurements made on the same coal agree among themselves.
It is possible to design a sampling scheme by which, in principle, an arbitrary level of precision can be
achieved.
The required overall precision for a lot is normally agreed between the parties concerned. In the
absence of such agreement, a value of one tenth of the ash may be assumed up to 10 % ash, subject to a
maximum of 1 % absolute for ash above 10 %.
The theory of the estimation of precision is discussed in ISO 13909-7. The following formula is derived:
V
I
+V
PT
n
P = 2 (1)
L
m
where
P is the estimated index of overall precision of sampling, sample preparation and testing for
L
the lot at a 95 % confidence level, expressed as percentage absolute;
V is the primary increment variance;
I
n is the number of increments taken per sub-lot;
m is the number of sub-lots in the lot;
V is the preparation and testing variance.
PT
If the quality of a coal of a type not previously sampled is required, then in order to devise a sampling
scheme, assumptions shallhave to be made about the variability (see 4.3.2). The precision actually
achieved for a particular lot by the scheme devised can be measured by the procedures given in
ISO 13909-7.
4.3.2 Primary increment variance
The primary increment varianc
...
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