ISO/TC 27/SC 4 - Sampling

This document provides the basic terms used in manual sampling of coal and coke and describes the general principles of sampling. It provides procedures and requirements for establishing a manual sampling scheme, methods of manual sampling, sampling equipment, handling and storage of samples, sample preparation and a sampling report, and applies to manual sampling during the transfer of coal or coke. Guidelines for manual sampling in stationary situations are given in Annex B, but this method of sampling does not provide a representative test sample and the sampling report shall state this. This document covers sampling of brown coals and lignites, but does not include sampling from coal seams, for which guidance is given in ISO 14180. Mechanical sampling of coal and coke is covered in ISO 13909.

This document sets out the basic methods for sampling fine coal, coal rejects or tailings of nominal top size The procedures described in this document primarily apply to sampling of coal that is transported in moving streams as a slurry. These streams can fall freely or be confined in pipes, launders, chutes, spirals or similar channels. Sampling of slurries in stationary situations, such as a settled or even a well-stirred slurry in a tank, holding vessel or dam, is not recommended and is not covered in this Document. This document describes procedures that are designed to provide samples representative of the slurry solids and particle size distribution of the slurry under examination. After draining the slurry sample of fluid and measuring the fluid volume, damp samples of the contained solids in the slurry are available for drying (if required) and measurement of one or more characteristics in an unbiased manner and with a known degree of precision. The characteristics are measured by chemical analysis or physical testing or both. The sampling methods described are applicable to slurries that require inspection to verify compliance with product specifications, determination of the value of a characteristic as a basis for settlement between trading partners or estimation of a set of average characteristics and variances that describes a system or procedure. Provided flow rates are not too high, the reference method against which other sampling procedures are compared is one where the entire stream is diverted into a vessel for a specified time or volume interval. This method corresponds to the stopped-belt method described in ISO 13909-2.

This document sets out recommended practices for the inspection of mechanical sampling systems. It serves as a guide for conformance with applicable ISO/TC 27 standards. This document covers general considerations including precision, mineral variability and bias, establishment of inspection systems and inspection procedure.

ISO 14180:2017 provides guidance on methods for taking samples from coal seams in the ground, whether from exploration areas or tenements, or from operating underground or open-cut mines. The following methods are described: a) sampling of small or large diameter holes; b) drill cuttings sampling; c) open-cut slot sampling; d) adit, drift or shaft sampling; e) pillar sampling; f) channel sampling; g) strip sampling. ISO 14180:2017 does not apply to sampling from moving streams in production or any other source of coal that is not in situ. Recommendations are made for selection and preparation of the sampling site, and methods are described for taking both small and bulk samples, and for preparing the samples for transport. NOTE Annex A gives an example of a channel sample record form that can be used to record sampling and other relevant data, and ISO 13909 or ISO 18283 describes how to determine the mass of a representative sample at various nominal top sizes.

ISO 13909-2:1016 specifies procedures and requirements for the design and establishment of mechanical samplers for the sampling of coal from moving streams and describes the methods of sampling used. It does not cover mechanical sampling from stationary lots which is dealt with in ISO 13909‑3[1].

ISO 13909-8:2016 sets out principles and procedures for testing the bias of test samples of hard coals or cokes, taken in accordance with ISO 13909: 2016 (all parts). NOTE In the text, the term "fuel" is used where both coal and coke would be applicable in the context and either "coal" or "coke" where only one is applicable.

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.

ISO 13909-5:2016 specifies procedures and requirements for the design and establishment of sampling schemes for the mechanical sampling of coke from moving streams and the methods of sampling used. The diversity of types of equipment for sampling and the conditions under which mechanical sampling is performed make it inappropriate to specify standard designs for samplers which will be applicable to all situations.

ISO 13909-6:2016 describes the preparation of samples of coke from the combination of primary increments to the preparation of samples for specific tests.

In ISO 13909-7:2016, formulae are developed which link the variables that contribute to overall sampling precision. Methods are described for estimating overall precision and for deriving values for primary increment variance which can be used to modify the sampling scheme to change the precision. Methods for checking the variance of sample preparation and testing are also described.

ISO 13909-4:2016 describes the preparation of samples of coal from the combination of primary increments to the preparation of samples for specific tests.

ISO 13909-1:2016 defines the basic terms used in the sampling of solid mineral fuels, describes the general principles of sampling and details the information to be provided in the documentation and the sampling report. It also lists the other parts and gives guidance on the selection of the appropriate part. It does not include sampling of brown coals and lignites, or sampling from coal seams, for which guidance is given in ISO 14180. Manual sampling of coal and coke is covered in ISO 18283.

Specifies a method which, subject to limitations imposed by the geometry of the pulverized-coal pipe, is applicable to multipoint sampling. Annexes A, B and C are for information only.

ISO 21398:2007 sets out recommended practices for the inspection of mechanical sampling systems. ISO 21398:2007 serves as a reference for conformance with applicable ISO/TC 27 International Standards. ISO 21398:2007 covers general considerations including precision, mineral variability and bias, establishment of inspection systems and inspection procedure.

ISO 20904:2006 sets out the basic methods for sampling fine coal, coal rejects or tailings of nominal top size The procedures described in ISO 20904:2006 primarily apply to sampling of coal that is transported in moving streams as a slurry. These streams can fall freely or be confined in pipes, launders, chutes, spirals or similar channels. Sampling of slurries in stationary situations, such as a settled or even a well-stirred slurry in a tank, holding vessel or dam, is not recommended and is not covered in ISO 20904:2006. ISO 20904:2006 describes procedures that are designed to provide samples representative of the slurry solids and particle size distribution of the slurry under examination. After draining the slurry sample of fluid and measuring the fluid volume, damp samples of the contained solids in the slurry are available for drying (if required) and measurement of one or more characteristics in an unbiased manner and with a known degree of precision. The characteristics are measured by chemical analysis or physical testing or both. The sampling methods described are applicable to slurries that require inspection to verify compliance with product specifications, determination of the value of a characteristic as a basis for settlement between trading partners or estimation of a set of average characteristics and variances that describes a system or procedure.

ISO 18283:2006 defines the basic terms used in manual sampling of hard coal and coke and describes the general principles of sampling. ISO 18283:2006 specifies procedures and requirements for establishing a manual sampling scheme, methods of manual sampling, sampling equipment, handling and storage of samples, sample preparation and a sampling report. ISO 18283:2006 applies to manual sampling from fuels in movement. Guidelines for manual sampling from fuels in stationary situations are given, but this method of sampling does not provide a representative test sample and the sampling report shall state this. ISO 18283:2006 does not include sampling of brown coals and lignites, sampling from coal seams or mechanical sampling of coal and coke.

Provides recommended practices for the mechanical sampling of solid mineral fuels from moving streams. Applicable to the mechanical sampling and preparation of coal samples for the determination of total moisture, general analysis, including physical and chemical tests, and size analysis. Describes the basic requirements, together with typical examples of applications für guidance in the design, installation and operation of systems for mechanical sampling and mechanical preparation of samples.

Is applicable to the mechanical sampling of coke from moving streams for physical testing, general analysis and the determination of total moisture in the coke. Methods for the preparation of these samples are also described. Apart from the taking of primary increments and primary increment division, describes the on-line single stage crushing and division of the moisture sample. Methods for checking overall precision of sampling, testing for bias and general statistical methods are included in annexes A, B and C respectively.

The process of sample preparation consists of several operations three of which are fundamental: particle size reduction by crushing or grinding and milling; mixing; decrease of sample mass by dividing the sample (sample division). In most cases, the drying process of the sample is also necessary.

Part 1 of this standard presents the principles of methods for the sampling of brown coals and lignites from streams, wagons, barges and stock-piles which differ from those described in sampling of hard coals. Other general principles and the procedure of replicate sampling are the same as for hard coals.

Gives the practical directions for the sampling of metallurgical coke from which breeze has been removed, for the determination of any property for both routine and special purposes; the sampling of breeze, or small coke nominal top size 20 mm or less; preparation of a miosture sample and of a laboratory sample for the determination of ash and other properties.

Forms a comprehensive document dealing with allaspects of the sampling of coal. It specifies methods of sampling hard coal, for both routine and special purposes, to provide samples for general analysis and for the determination of total moisture. It also outlines the principles to be taken into consideration when taking the sample and preparing it for analysis.