ASTM D388-99(2004)e1

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
ϵ1
Designation: D 388 – 99 (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Classification of
Coals by Rank
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 388; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ϵ NOTE—Table 1 was editorially corrected in July 2004.
1. Scope D720 Test Method for Free-Swelling Index of Coal
D1412 TestMethodforEquilibriumMoistureofCoalat96
1.1 This standard covers the classification of coals by rank,
to 97 Percent Relative Humidity and 30°C
thatis,accordingtotheirdegreeofmetamorphism,orprogres-
D1757 Test Method for Sulfur inAsh from Coal and Coke
sive alteration, in the natural series from lignite to anthracite.
D2013 Method of Preparing Coal Samples for Analysis
1.2 This classification is applicable to coals that are com-
D2234/D2234M PracticeforCollectionofaGrossSample
posed mainly of vitrinite.
of Coal
NOTE 1—Coalsrichininertiniteorliptinite(exinite),orboth,cannotbe
D2798 Test Method for Microscopical Determination of
properly classified because, in those macerals, the properties that deter-
the Reflectance of Vitrinite in a Polished Specimen of
mine rank (calorific value, volatile matter, and agglomerating character)
Coal
differgreatlyfromthoseofvitriniteinthesamecoal.Oftensuchcoalscan
D3172 Practice for Proximate Analysis of Coal and Coke
be recognized by megascopic examination. In NorthAmerica, these coals
D3173 TestMethodforMoistureintheAnalysisSampleof
are mostly nonbanded varieties that contain only a small proportion of
vitrain and consist mainly of attrital materials. The degree of metamor-
Coal and Coke
phism of nonbanded and other vitrinite-poor coals can be estimated by
D3174 TestMethodforAshintheAnalysisSampleofCoal
determining the classification properties of isolated or concentrated
and Coke from Coal
vitrinite fractions, or by determining the reflectance of the vitrinite (see
D3175 Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis
Test Method D2798D2798 and Appendix X1 of this classification).
Sample of Coal and Coke
However,intheuseofthesevitrinite-poorcoals,somepropertiesnormally
D3177 Test Methods for Total Sulfur in the Analysis
associated with rank, such as rheology, combustibility, hardness, and
grindability (as well as the rank determining properties) may differ Sample of Coal and Coke
substantially from those of vitrinite-rich coals of the same degree of
D3302 Test Method for Total Moisture in Coal
metamorphism.
D4596 Practice for Collection of Channel Samples of Coal
The precision of the classification of impure coal may be in the Mine
D5192 Practice for the Collection of Coal Samples from
impaired by the effect of large amounts of mineral matter on
the determination of volatile matter and calorific value, and on Core
D5865 Test Method for Gross Calorific Value of Coal and
their calculation to the mineral-matter-free basis.
1.3 The values stated in British thermal units per pound are Coke
to be regarded as the standard. The SI equivalents of British
3. Terminology
thermalunitsperpoundareapproximate.AllothervaluesinSI
3.1 Definitions—For additional definitions of terms used in
units are to be regarded as standard.
this classification, refer to Terminology D121D121.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.1 agglomerating, adj—as applied to coal, the property
of softening when it is heated to above about 400°C in a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke nonoxidizing atmosphere, and then appearing as a coherent
mass after cooling to room temperature.
3.1.2 apparent rank, n—of coal, the rank designation ob-
This classification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D05 on Coal
tained on samples other than channel samples or core samples
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.18 on Classification
with 100% recovery, but otherwise conforming to procedures
of Coals.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2004.PublishedJuly2004.Originallyapproved
of Classification D388.
ϵ1
in 1934. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D388–99 .
3.1.3 coal seam, n—the stratum, layer, or bed of coal that
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
lies between two other rock layers whose compositions differ
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
significantly from that of coal.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
ϵ1
D 388 – 99 (2004)
3.2 Abbreviations:Abbreviations—Where it is desired to calculated to the mineral-matter-free basis. The higher-rank
abbreviate the designation of the ranks of coal, the following coals are classified according to fixed carbon on the dry basis;
abbreviations shall be used:
the lower-rank coals are classified according to gross calorific
ma—meta-anthracite value on the moist basis. Agglomerating character is used to
an—anthracite
differentiate between certain adjacent groups.
sa—semianthracite
lvb—low volatile bituminous
mvb—medium volatile bituminous
6. Classification by Rank
hvAb—high volatile A bituminous
hvBb—high volatile B bituminous
6.1 Fixed Carbon and Gross Calorific Value—Coals shall
hvCb—high volatile C bituminous
beclassifiedbyrankinaccordancewithTable1.Classifycoals
subA—subbituminous A
subB—subbituminous B having gross calorific values of 14000 Btu/lb or more on the
subC—subbituminous C
moist,mineral-matter-freebasis,andcoalshavingfixedcarbon
ligA—lignite A
of 69% or more on the dry, mineral-matter-free basis, accord-
ligB—lignite B
ing to fixed carbon on the dry, mineral-matter-free basis.
4. Significance and Use
Classify coals having gross calorific values less than 14000
4.1 This classification establishes categories of coal based
Btu/lb on the moist, mineral-matter-free basis according to
on gradational properties that depend principally on the degree
gross calorific value on the moist, mineral-matter-free basis,
of metamorphism to which the coal was subjected while
provided the fixed carbon on the dry, mineral-matter-free basis
buried. These categories indicate ranges of physical and
is less than 69%.
chemical characteristics that are useful in making broad
6.2 Agglomerating Character—Classify coals having 86%
estimates of the behavior of coal in mining, preparation, and
or more fixed carbon on the dry, mineral-matter-free basis, if
use.
agglomerating, in the low volatile group of the bituminous
5. Basis of Classification
class. Classify coals having gross calorific values in the range
5.1 Classification is according to fixed carbon and gross from10500to11500Btu/lbonthemoist,mineral-matter-free
calorific value (expressed in British thermal units per pound) basis according to their agglomerating character (Table 1).
A
TABLE 1 Classification of Coals by Rank
Gross Calorific Value Limits
Fixed Carbon Limits Volatile Matter Limits
B
(Moist, Mineral-Matter-Free Basis)
(Dry, Mineral-Matter-Free (Dry, Mineral-Matter-Free
C
Basis), % Basis), %
Btu/lb Mj/kg Agglomerating
Class/Group
Character
Equal or Equal or Equal or
Less Greater Equal or
Greater Greater Less Than Greater Less Than
Than Than Less Than
Than Than Than
Anthracitic:
Meta-anthracite 98 . . 2 . . . .
Anthracite 92 98 2 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . nonagglomerating
J
D
Semianthracite 86 92 8 14 . . . .
Bituminous:
Low volatile bituminous coal 78 86 14 22 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Medium volatile bituminous coal 69 78 22 31 . . . . . . . . . . . .
commonly
F E
High volatile A bituminous coal . . . 69 31 . . . 14 000 . . . 32.557 . . . agglomerating
F
High volatile B bituminous coal . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 000 14 000 30.232 32.557
High volatile C bituminous coal . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 500 13 000 26.743 30.232
H
10 500 11 500 24.418 26.743 agglomerating
Subbituminous:
Subbituminous A coal . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 500 11 500 24.418 26.743
Subbituminous B coal . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 500 10 500 22.09 24.418
Subbituminous C coal . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 300 9 500 19.30 22.09
nonagglomerating
Lignitic:
G
Lignite A . . . . 6300 8 300 14.65 19.30
Lignite B . . . . . 6300 . 14.65
A
This classification does not apply to certain coals, as discussed in Section 1.
B
Moist refers to coal containing its natural inherent moisture but not including visible water on the surface of the coal.
C
Megajoules per kilogram. To convert British thermal units per pound to megajoules per kilogram, multiply by 0.0023255.
D
If agglomerating, classify in low volatile group of the bituminous class.
E
It is recognized that there may be nonagglomerating varieties in these groups of the bituminous class, and that there are notable exceptions in the high volatile C
bituminous group.
F
Coals having 69 % or more fixed carbon on the dry, mineral-matter-free basis shall be classified according to fixed carbon, regardless of gross calorific value.
G
Editorially corrected.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Please contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
ϵ1
D 388 – 99 (2004)
6.3 Supplemental Information—Acorrelationoftheranking tions may be usefully given for other types of samples taken
property, volatile matter (100—fixed carbon), with the mean- under unspecified conditions, providing the same standards of
maximum reflectance of the vitrinite group macerals in coals analysis and computation are followed. Designate these com-
testedinonelaboratoryoveraperiodofseveralyearsisshown parative indications as apparent rank, which indicates the
in Appendix X1. correct relative position for the sample analyzed but does not
imply any standards of sampling. Whenever apparent rank is
7. Sampling
stated, give additional information as to the nature of the
7.1 Samples—Classify a coal seam, or part of a coal seam,
sample.
inanylocalitybasedontheaverageanalysisandgrosscalorific
7.2.1 The apparent rank of the coal product from a mine
value (and agglomerating character where required) of not less
shall be based on representative samples taken in accordance
than three and preferably five or more face channel samples or
with the Organization and Planning of Sampling Operations
core samples taken in different and uniformly distributed
section (Section 7) of Practice D 2234/D 2234MD 2234/
localities, either within the same mine or closely adjacent
D2234M.
mines representing a continuous and compact area not greater
7.2.2 In case the coal is likely to be classed on the moist
than approximately four square miles in regions of geological
basis, take samples at the tipple or preparation plant and seal
uniformity.Inregionsinwhichconditionsindicatethatthecoal
the sample to prevent loss of moisture.
probably varies rapidly in short distances, the spacing of
sampling points and grouping of analyses to provide average
8. Methods of Analysis and Testing
values shall not be such that coals of obviously different rank
8.1 Laboratory Sampling and Analysis—Prepare coal in
will be used in calculating average values.
accordance with Method D2013D2013 and analyze it in
7.1.1 Take channel samples by excluding mineral partings
accordance with Test Methods D3173D3173, D3174D3174,
more than 1 cm ( ⁄8 in.) and lenses or concretions (such as
D3175D3175, D3177D3177, D3302D3302, and Practice
sulfur balls) more than 1.25 cm ( ⁄2 in.) thick and 5 cm (2 in.)
D3172D3172. Determine its gross calorific value in accor-
wide, as specified in Practice D4596D4596.
dance with Test Method D5865D5865. Determine the sulfur
7.1.2 A drill core sample may be used provided it was
trioxide (SO ) retained in the ash in accordance with Test
collected as specified in Practice D5192D5192 and meets the
Method D1757D1757 and express the result on a dry basis.
following provisions: core recovery is 100% of the seam, the
Inherent moisture is reported as as-received moisture if the
major mineral partings and concretions are excluded as speci-
sample was collected according to 7.1.1 or as equilibrium
fied in 7.1.1, and drilling mud is removed from the core (see
moisture if 7.1.6 (Test Method D1412D1412) applies.
also 7.1.6).
8.2 AdjusttheashvaluedeterminedinaccordancewithTest
7.1.3 Place all samples in metal or plastic cans with airtight
Method D3174D3174 to be free of sulfate as follows:
lids, or heavy vapor impervious bags, properly sealed to
SO M
preserve inherent moisture.
A 5 A 12 12 (1)
S DS D
d
100 100
7.1.4 Analysesofsamplesfromoutcropsorfromweathered
or oxidized coal shall not be used for classification by rank.
where:
7.1.5 In case the coal is likely to be classified on the moist
A = adjusted ash value on the inherent moist basis,
basis, that is, inclusive of its natural complement of inherent
A = ash yield, dry basis, determined in accordance with
d
moisture, take samples in a manner most likely to preserve
Test Method D3174D3174,
inherent moisture for purposes of analysis. Because some of
SO = in the ash determined in accordance with Test
the moisture in a freshly collected sample condenses on the
Method D1757D1757, and
inside of the sample container, weigh both the container and M = inherent moisture.
the coal before and after air drying, and report the total loss in
Add to the value of fixed carbon that is determined in
weight as air-drying loss. accordance with Practice D3172D3172 the value of the SO
7.1.6 If the sample is a core or if it is impossible to sample
determined in the ash to obtain the value FC to be used in Eq
the coal without including visible surface moisture, or if there 2.
may be other reasons to question the accuracy of inherent
8.3 Agglomerating Character—The test carried out by the
moisturecontentdeterminablefromthesample,andthecoalis
examination of the residue in the platinum crucible incident to
likely to be classified on the moist basis, the sampler shall
the volatile matter determination shall be used. Coals which,
include the following statement in the description: Moisture
inthevolatilematterdetermination,produceeitheranagglom-
questionable. Samples so marked shall not be used for classi-
erate button that will support a 500-g weight without pulver-
ficationonamoistbasisunlessbroughttoastandardcondition
izing, or a button showing swelling or cell structure, shall be
of moisture equilibrium at 30°C in a vacuum desiccat
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