Significance and Use

A properly collected face channel sample that includes the total coal bed interval provides a sample that is a representative cross section of the coal bed at the point of sampling. Channel samples are taken for subsequent testing needed for evaluation of coal quality and characterization for commercial evaluations, for planning of mining operations to maintain coal quality, for the determination of coal rank in accordance with Classification D 388 , and for geologic coal resource studies.

Note 1Because of the potential for lateral variability, a sample may not represent the quality of the coal bed at another sample point. The reliability of the data generated from channel samples is dependent on the number and spacing of the sample points and the variability of the coal characteristics in a given area.

Note 2Sampling of the mine product for these purposes is unsatisfactory because of contamination of the product with out-of-seam material, selective mining of parts of a seam, inability to obtain samples from one or more specific locations in the mine, or other incompatibility of the purpose of sampling with the mining practice. Conversely, channel samples should not be used for evaluation of the quality of commercial shipments of the mine product, which should be sampled in accordance with Methods D 2234 .

1. Scope

1.1 This practice describes procedures for collecting a coal sample from a channel extending from top to bottom in the face of a coal seam in a mine.

1.2 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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary information, see Note 2.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D121 Terminology of Coal and Coke

D388 Classification of Coals by Rank

D2234/D2234M Practice for Collection of a Gross Sample of Coal

D2796 Terminology for Megascopic Description of Coal and Coal Seams and Microscopical Description and Analysis of Coal

D4371 Test Method for Determining the Washability Characteristics of Coal

Keywords

channel; coal; mine; rank; sample collection; sampling; Channel samples (of coal); Coal products; Coal sampling systems; Field testing--coal; Mines; Seams--coal;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 73.040 (Coals)

DOI: 10.1520/D4596-09

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D4596