ASTM D6883-17

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: D6883 − 04 (Reapproved 2012) D6883 − 17
Standard Practice for
Manual Sampling of Stationary Coal from Railroad Cars,
Barges, Trucks, or Stockpiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6883; 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 practice covers procedures for obtaining a manual gross sample from beneath the surface of coal in railroad cars,
barges, trucks, or stockpiles. These procedures are to be used to provide gross samples for estimating the quality of the coal. The
gross samples are to be crushed, divided, and further prepared for analysis in accordance with Practice D2013.
1.2 This practice provides instruction for sampling beneath the exposed surface coal to a depth of approximately 61 cm (24 in.).
Collect samples at this depth to get below the surface of the material, since drying and oxidation may have occurred at, or near
the surface. Changes in moisture, in particle size, and in other properties continue to occur deeper in the coal and, although not
as drastic as near the surface, will cause the method to be biased. The user should review the conditions of the coal (weather
conditions, prior transport, settling time, and so forth, see 8.1) so that the interested parties can agree that potential biases are not
overly great or that some adjustment in specifications is warranted. Sample increments collected from the surface layer(s) of coal
in railroad cars, barges, or stockpiles are classified condition “D” (see Practice D2234/D2234M, Increment Collection
Classification). It is a good practice to require that “details of sampling procedure shall be agreed upon in advance by all parties
concerned” whenever collection of sample increments falls under condition “D.” This practice offers a sampling procedure that
parties may use to meet requirements of Practice D2234/D2234M for condition “D.” The practice does not produce samples that
satisfy precision requirements of Practice D2234/D2234M general-purpose sampling, or Practice D2234/D2234M special-purpose
sampling.
1.3 The user is cautioned that samples of this type do not satisfy the minimum requirements for probability sampling and as
such cannot be used to draw statistical inferences such as precision, standard error, or bias.
1.4 This sampling method is intended for use only when sampling by more reliable methods that provide a probability sample
is not possible.
1.5 The quantities stated in either acceptable SI units or in inch-pound units are regarded separately as standard. The quantities
stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other, without
combining quantities in any way.
1.6 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 healthsafety, health, environmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke
D2013 Practice for Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample of Coal
D4749 Test Method for Performing the Sieve Analysis of Coal and Designating Coal Size
This practice 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, 2012Oct. 15, 2017. Published December 2012October 2017. OrginallyOriginally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in
20042012 as D6883–04.D6883–04(2012). DOI: 10.1520/D6883-04R12.10.1520/D6883-17.
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
D6883 − 17
D4916 Practice for Mechanical Auger Sampling (Withdrawn 2008)
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 consignment, n—a discrete amount of coal, such as a shipment, a carload, a unit train, or a day’s production. A
consignment may include more than one lot of coal and may correspond to a specific period of time such as sampling period or
billing period.
3.1.2 particle segregation, n—the segregation of sized particles to specific areas as a result of the particles rolling, falling, or
sliding down the sides of a pile or a result of the peculiarities of a coal handling system used to build the pile. Particle segregation
is a process of separation, not exclusively by size, but by size, shape, and density.
3.1.3 stockpile, n—material stored or reserved in a stacked pile or heap.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Use of this practice is limited to manual collection of sample increments from beneath the surface layer(s) of stationary coal
from railroad cars, barges, trucks, or stockpiles for the purpose of acquiring a gross sample.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 These guidelines provide procedures for manually collecting gross samples from beneath the exposed surface of coal in
railroad cars, barges, trucks, or stockpiles taking into account the wide variety of conditions that may be encountered. The samples
are further processed for the laboratory to provide estimations of the coal quality. The use of this practice is conditional upon
agreement among all interested parties concerning all relevant details of sample collection before sampling begins. These include,
but are not limited to: lot size; number and mass of increments; the size, shape, and manipulation of the increment collection
devices; location of increment collection site or sites; circumstances under which increments are not to be collected or suspended;
and safety precautions. It is preferable that such agreements be in writing. The user is cautioned that samples so obtained do not
represent material below the point of penetration.
6. Hazards
6.1 Warning—Stockpile sampling involves exposure to hazardous operations, conditions, and equipment. Awareness to
personnel safety cannot be overemphasized. Personnel may require approved federal and/or state safety training before taking part
in field sampling. Site-specific safety regulations must be observed. This includes personnel wearing all specified personal
protection equipment. The general safety precautions necessary when working around moving equipment must be observed.
Sampling technicians must never work in coal that is piled or in railroad cars over hoppers and/or feeders or where there is the
possibility of the coal being eroded from beneath them. Sampling should never be performed near a face of a stockpile where the
face extends upward at an angle greater than the angle of repose of the coal.
7. Procedure
7.1 Observations—Before sampling a lot of coal using this method, perform a visual inspection for particle distribution and
possible particle segregation within the stockpile. Notes should be made on the sampling log to reflect these observations. These
notes could be useful in understanding differences of analytical test results or in identifying changes in stockpiling characteristics.
The approximate top size of the coal on the surface layer should be estimated in this step.
7.2 Lot Size—All interested parties should agree to the size of the lot to be represented by one gross sample before sampling
begins.
7.3 Weight of Increments—Increment weights are to be equal to, or in excess of, those contained in Table 2 of Practice
D2234/D2234M. All increments should be of approximately equal mass.
7.4 Number of Increments—Meaningful levels of precision cannot be obtained with the methods described herein. Determine
the number of increments to be collected for one gross sample using Eq 1. Fewer increments are permissible if agreed upon in
advance. Since meaningful levels of precision cannot be obtained for these samples, any multiplier can be considered valid in place
of the number 35 in Eq 1 if agreed upon by the parties concerned.
total lot size Mg or tons
~ !
N 5 35Π(1)
908 Mg or 1000 tons
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
D6883 − 17
where:
N = number of increments.
7.5 Increment Collection—Collect increments from a depth of approximately 61 cm (24 in.), on top of conveyances, around the
base of the stockpile, and up the slopes of the pile. The angles of the sides of the holes should be less than the angle of repose.
Place the coal that is removed from the holes away from the sampling area. Remove the increment from the bottom of the hole
and place it into the container. Avoid any spillage.
7.5.1 The
...