Designation: D 197 – 87 (Reapproved 2007)

Standard Test Method for

Sampling and Fineness Test of Pulverized Coal1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 197; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope the laboratory sample. Glass containers sealed with rubber

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the fine- gaskets may be used, but care must be taken to avoid breakage
ness by sieve analysis of coal sampled from a dry pulverizing in transport.
operation. It is not applicable to products of wet milling or to 4.2 Drying Oven—A device for passing slightly heated air
fines that have clustered into an agglomerated mass. over the sample. The oven should be capable of maintaining a
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units shall be regarded temperature of 18 to 27°F (10 to 15°C) above room tempera-
as the standard. Sample weights of 1000 g or less shall be ture with a maximum oven temperature of 104°F (40°C). Air
expressed in metric units. changes should be at the rate of 1 to 4/min.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.3 Sieves, square-hole, woven-wire cloth conforming to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Specification E 11:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- No. 8 USA Standard (2.36 mm)
No. 16 USA Standard (1.18 mm)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- No. 30 USA Standard (600 µm)
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. No. 50 USA Standard (300 µm)
No. 100 USA Standard (150 µm)
2. Referenced Documents No. 200 USA Standard (75 µm)
No. 325 USA Standard (45 µm)
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur- The sieve frames shall be 8 in. (203 mm) in diameter, and the
poses height of the sieve from the top of the frame to the cloth shall
be either 2 in. (50.8 mm) or 1 in. (25.4 mm). Selection of
3. Significance and Use specific sizes is optional, depending on the objective of the test.
3.1 This test method provides a means for assisting in the 4.3.1 Since the finer mesh sieves in particular are suscep-
evaluation of pulverizers and pulverizer systems in terms of tible to damage by distortion resulting from undue pressure,
fineness specifications. It may also be used to confirm the accidental scraping with hard brushes, etc., each sieve should
influence of coal fineness on combustion performance and to be closely inspected and discarded if it shows evidence of
evaluate carbon loss. By consent among interested parties, it damage.
may be used for evaluation of coal fineness in preparation, 4.4 Mechanical Sieving Machine—The mechanical sieving
pneumatic transfer systems, etc. machine shall be designed to provide both a circular motion
and a tapping action. It shall be designed to accept an assembly
4. Apparatus of vertically nested circular sieves as described in 4.3. The
4.1 Sample Containers—Heavy vapor impervious bags, machine action shall be such that results as described in
properly sealed, or noncorroding cans such as those with an Section 7 are obtained within the allotted time frame. Action
airtight, friction top or screw top sealed with a rubber gasket shall not be sufficiently severe to generate new fines by particle
and pressure sensitive tape for use in storage and transport of degradation. To facilitate the sieving operation, a control
switch device with timer is recommended. Other equipment
designs may be used provided the results are comparable.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal 4.5 Balance, Laboratory—Approximately 1000-g capacity,
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.07 on Physical sensitivity 0.1 g.
Characteristics of Coal.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2007. Published October 2007. Originally 4.6 Sampling Device (Storage System)—An instrument
published in 1924. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D 197 – 87 (2002). (scoop, dipper, or other suitable device) for collecting incre-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or ments that will constitute the total sample.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
4.7 Sampling Device (Direct-Fired System)—Apparatus as
the ASTM website. described in 6.2.1 and 6.2.2.

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 D 197 – 87 (2007)
4.8 Sample Riffle with Pans—A manual sample divider that to obtain representative samples, as it is necessary to sample
splits the coal stream into a number of alternate elements. the coal from a moving stream of coal-air mixture inside the
Riffle divisions should be in the size range from 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 in. (6.4 pipe between the pulverizer and furnace. It is preferable to
to 12.7 mm). collect such samples from vertical pipes, as in horizontal pipes
a greater amount of segregation may take place.
5. Sampling, Storage System
6.2 Apparatus for Sample Collection—Because it is difficult
5.1 In the pulverized coal storage system, the coal after to collect a representative sample of solids from a moving
pulverization is conveyed into bins. coal-air stream, it is essential that the equipment and sampling
5.1.1 Collection of Gross Sample—Collect not less than ten procedures are uniformly consistent to assure valid and repro-
increments of representative pulverized coal preferably as it is ducible results. Recommended equipment and sampling ar-
being discharged from the collector. This is best accomplished rangements are shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Except in
by collecting increments of not less than 50 g at regular circumstances where stationary interferences in the area around
intervals by means of a scoop, dipper, or a device capable of the sampling location prohibits the use of the sampling
removing an increment from a specific location within the equipment as shown in Fig. 3, changes to the equipment should
stream of pulverized coal. Place the increments in the sample not be allowed. Changes may produce inconsistent results.
container and seal. 6.2.1 Fig. 2 shows the recommended arrangement for sam-
5.1.2 Preparation of the Laboratory Sample—A small riffle pling pulverized coal in a direct-fired system using a dustless
(Fig. 1) can be used for mixing and dividing the sample by sampling connection with an aspirator and a cyclone collector.
splitting. An enclosed riffle is preferred. Mix the gross sample In collecting the sample, turn on the compressed air to the
by splitting and recombining the halves a minimum of two dustless connection and adjust to give a balanced pressure at
times. Divide the sample amount by successive riffle splitting the connection. Insert the sampling tip into the dustless
operations on one half of the sample until the sample is divided connection with the tip facing directly into the coal-air stream.
to approximately 500 g for the laboratory sample. To correctly Readjust the compressed air to give a balanced pressure with
use the riffle, the sample must be poured over the side of a pan the nozzle inserted. Traverse the fuel transport line across the
(a third pan is necessary) and not from an end or corner, nor entire diameter of the pipe by moving at a uniform rate with the
from a container such as, a pail or jar. Transfer the sample to tip facing directly into the coal-air stream. The aspirating air on
a sample container and seal. the cyclone collector may or may not be used, depending on
5.1.3 As an alternative to riffle mixing and splitting, the the static pressure in the fuel transport line, as discussed in
sample can be prepared as follows: Place the gross sample on 6.3.7.
a sheet of rubber, plastic, or paper and mix it by raising first one
6.2.2 Fig. 3 shows detailed dimensions of a recommended
corner of the cloth and then the other so as to roll the coal over
sampling tip. The area of the tip shown is 0.5 by 0.95 in. or
and over at least 20 times. After mixing, divide the sample.
0.475 in.2(12.7 by 24.1 mm or 306 mm2), which is the
Continue the operations of mixing and dividing until the
projected area of the tip facing the coal-air stream. Other tip
sample is divided sufficiently so that all of one of the divisions
configurations and dimensions can be employed provided they
weighs approximately 500 g. This shall constitute the labora-
permit the collection of an unbiased sample from the coal
tory sample.
stream. See Appendix X1.
6. Sampling, Direct-Fired System 6.3 Collection of Gross Sample:
6.1 In the direct-fired system, the coal is pulverized and 6.3.1 In sampling, it is essential that the velocity into the
delivered directly to the furnace in an air stream. It is difficult sampling tip be nearly the same as the velocity in the pipe. If
the velocity in the sampling tube is insufficient, the full quota
of the coarse particles will be entrained, but some of the fine
particles that should be caught will follow the air in passing
around the tip. If the velocity in the sampling tube is greater,
more than the proper number of fine particles will be drawn
into the sampling tip.
6.3.2 A procedure for confirming sample validity is in-
cluded in Appendix X4.
6.3.3 A sample obtained in a given time should be weighed
and compared with the weight of coal passing through the fuel
transport line. The weight of the coal passing through the pipe
may be determined from the total coal to the pulverizer divided
by number of pipes. The weight of coal passing through the
fuel transport line, multiplied by the ratio of the cross-sectional
area of the sampling tip to that of the pipe, should be
approximately equal to the sample weight (see 6.3.9). For
example, if a pulverizer has an output of 63 000 lb of coal per
hour passing through six lines, and if each line is 15.25 in. (387
FIG. 1 Sample Divider (Riffle) mm) in inside diameter, with a cross-sectional area of 182.65

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 D 197 – 87 (2007)

FIG. 2 Recommended Arrangement for Sampling Pulverized Coal in a Direct-Fired System

in.2(1170 cm2) and if the standard sampler has a tip opening of give a recovery within the 90 and 110 % limits. Discard those
0.5 by 0.95 in. (12.7 mm by 24.1 mm) and a cross-sectional samples that do not meet the recovery limits.
area of 0.475 in.2(306 mm2), the sample rate per minute with 6.3.6 If the static pressure in the fuel transport line is so high
100 % recovery should then be as follows: that the recovery is above 110 % with all aspirator air shut off,
Sample rate, lb/min = 63 000 lb/h-pulverizer 3 1 h/60 min 3 1 throttle the flow from the cyclone to reduce the recovery to the
pulverizer/6 lines 3 0.475 in.2/sampler/182.65 in.2/line 3 1 sam- desired range between 90 and 110 %. This can be done by
pler/1 line = 0.455 lb/min-line (206 g/min-line)
installing a valve or orifice at the cyclone collector vent
Sampling for a 3-min period should then be 1.37 lb (618 g) discharge (see Fig. 2).
for 100 % recovery. 6.3.7 Samples shall be taken by carefully traversing at least
6.3.4 If the recovery is between 90 and 110 %, the sample two complete diameters 90° apart. Two common sampling
shall be considered satisfactory as to collection rate for the pipe methods are the continuous transversing technique or the equal
and flow velocities. See Appendix X2. area method. If preliminary samples taken at each individual
6.3.5 After taking one or two samples and weighing them line show wide variations in fineness and recovery, better
for confirmation, the collector vent control can be adjusted to locations should be used. The location shall preferably be in a

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 D 197 – 87 (2007)

FIG. 3 Detail of Sampling Nozzle

vertical pipe as far as possible from preceding bends, changes NOTE 1—The collection of a valid representative sample requires both
of cross section, or valves. A distance of seven to ten times the properly maintained equipment and close attention to details by the
pipe diameter is desirable. Sampling connections shall be samplers. The collection is best accomplished by one person actually
sampling, assisted by a person to facilitate equipment and sample
cleared of accumulated coal before taking samples. handling.
6.3.8 Precautions should be taken to keep the samples above
the water dew point during collection. 7. Fineness Test
6.3.9 When the sampling points are in the pipes and a
7.1 Drying Sample—Air-dry the entire laboratory sample in
pulverizer has two or more pipes, the total weight of the
a drying oven at 18 to 27°F (10 to 15°C) above room
samples from all the pipes should be compared with total coal
temperature. Continue the drying until the loss in weight is not
weight to check the recovery, as explained in 6.3.2-6.3.4.
more than 0.1 %/h.
6.3.10 When the air velocity and static pressure in each fuel
transport line are nearly equal, the same cyclone throttle setting 7.2 Dividing the Sample—After air-drying, divide the
and the same air pressure at the aspirator should give about the sample amount to 50 to 100 g as described in 5.1.2 and 5.1.3.
same sample tip velocity. Then, even if the coal is not equally 7.3 Sieve Test:
distributed in the several pipes, duplicate cyclone throttle 7.3.1 Select the proper sieve sizes for the test and thor-
settings should result in samples from each pipe that will be oughly clean each by carefully brushing and tapping to assure
approximately proportional in weight to the coal distribution, that no solid particles from previous tests are trapped in the
but the total should be between 90 and 110 % of the propor- meshes. Nest the sieves together with the coarsest mesh at the
tional total coal flow. Samples at each point should be taken for top and in descending order with the finest mesh at the bottom.
equal time periods and not by equal amounts collected. Each Set a pan receiver at the bottom of the nest to receive the
sample may be sieved separately and the weighted average undersize. Place 45 to 55 g of coal weighed to 60.05 g on the
used to obtain the average fineness of the pulverizer output or top sieve and cover with a fitted cover to prevent loss.
the samples may be thoroughly mixed and one sieve determi- 7.3.2 Place the assembled set into the sieving machine and
nation made of the mixture, since the sample from each line make the necessary adjustments for the sieving operation.
represents the proper proportion of the pulverizer output. Adjust the timer for a 10-min period and start the machine. For
6.3.11 In storage systems, take samples at the outlet of the hand sieving alternative, see Appendix X3.
cyclone collector. If the sampling location is under suction, 7.3.3 At the end of the sieving period, remove the stack, slip
provide the container with a cover that can be closed before it off the receiver pan, and carefully brush into the pan receiver
is withdrawn from the sampling connection. any particles that have adhered to the bottom surface of the
6.3.12 The fineness of pulverized coal samples taken in a bottom sieve. Carefully transfer all of the pan contents into
storage system shall be either the weighted average of the another receptacle and return the clean pan receiver to the
fineness of all samples taken during the test or the fineness of bottom of stacker sieves. Retain the transferred fines for
the composite sample. weighing.

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 D 197 – 87 (2007)
7.3.4 Return the stacked sieves to the sieving machine, set than 1 % for coals having 75 % or less undersize or is greater
the timer for a 5-min period, and start the machine. At the end than 2 % for coals having more than 75 % undersize, discard
of this interval, remove the stack and repeat the procedure the results and repeat the determination.
described in 7.3.3. However, this time collect the fines from the NOTE 3—An operator working at a site with a particular coal may
pan receiver and those brushed from the under-surface of the ascertain that in routine operations, differences in sample weights before
sieve and weigh. When the collected fines from the 5-min and after sieving are within such close tolerances that he may choose not
sieving weigh less than 0.5 g, consider the sieving operation to weigh the undersize material. It should be recognized that results so
complete. If the fines weigh in excess of 0.5 g, reassemble the obtained are subject to question.
stack and repeat the sieving operation at 2-min intervals until 9. Report
less than 0.2 g of fines are collected for a 2-min interval.
7.3.5 Combine the fines collected in all of the operations 9.1 The fineness test shall be reported as follows:
from 7.3.3 and 7.3.4 and weigh on a balance sensitive to 0.01 Retained on Passing %
USA Standard USA Standard
g. Disassemble the sieves beginning with the largest. Material
that can be brushed from the bottom of a sieve shall be No. 8 (2.36 mm) ... ...
No. 16 (1.18 mm) No. 8 (2.36 mm) ...
considered to be part of the sample that has passed through that
No. 30 (600 µm) No. 16 (1.18 mm) ...
sieve. This material can be brushed directly onto the next finer No. 50 (300 µm) No. 30 (600 µm) ...
sieve. Material that is lodged in the sieve shall be considered a No. 100 (150 µm) No. 50 (300 µm) ...
No. 200 (75 µm) No. 100 (150 µm) ...
portion of the sample that was retained on that sieve. The sieve No. 325 (45 µm) No. 200 (75 µm) ...
can be placed over glazed paper, foil, or a pie pan and lodged ... No. 325 (45 µm) ...
material brought onto that surface and then recombined with
For procedure to confirm sample validity, see Appendix X4
the material retained on that sieve.
(See Fig. 4).
NOTE 2—The procedure described in 7.3.4 and 7.3.5 is applicable to
samples from a normal dry-pulverizing process. If, for whatever reason, 10. Precision and Bias
the sample consists of a major percentage concentrated on an intermediate 10.1 Repeatability—Duplicate determinations on splits of
size interval, sieving operations should be continued until it is confirmed the gross sample, by the same operator, using the same sieves,
that less than 0.2 g of fines pass that sieve in a 2-min interval.
shall check within 2 % of the material weight passing the finest
7.3.6 Weigh and record the amount of material collected sieve.
from each sieve surface, including the undersize material. 10.2 Reproducibility—Duplicate determinations on splits of
the gross sample, by different operators, using different sieves,
8. Calculations
shall check within 4 % of the material weight passing the finest
8.1 Calculate the fineness from the weights of the residues sieve.
on the sieves, including the undersize from the finest sieve, and 10.3 Bias—The lack of a reference material precludes a bias
express as percentages of the weight of the original sample. A statement.
difference between the original sample portion and cumulative
sieve weights is considered to be due to loss (or gain) of the 11. Keywords
undersize material and is so calculated. If the loss is greater 11.1 fineness; pulverized coal; sampling; sieve analysis

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 D 197 – 87 (2007)

FIG. 4 Plot of Rosin and Rammler Equation for Use with Pulverized Coal

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. ALTERNATE TIP CONFIGURATIONS

X1.1 If tip configurations other than illustrated in Figs. 2 fineness matching that obtained with the recommended tip
and 3 are used, their ability to permit the collection of an design within the limits of reproducibility identified in 10.2.
unbiased sample shall be evaluated on the basis of sample

X2. EXTREME MALDISTRIBUTION

X2.1 If extreme maldistribution of coal exists among fuel 110 % in each line. In this case, use the procedure in 6.3.9 to
pipes, it may not be possible to obtain a recovery rate of 90 to verify the recovery rate.

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 D 197 – 87 (2007)

X3. FINENESS TEST BY HAND SIEVING

X3.1 For field testing or similar operations where a sieving nest of sieves into a sieving machine.
machine is not available, the test can be performed by a
hand-sieving operation. The object of the hand-sieving opera- X3.3 Instead, hold the nest of sieves with both hands and
tion is to duplicate as nearly as possible the details of test as move back and forth in a slightly circular orbit while resting on
performed by mechanical sieving. This can be accomplished as a 1⁄4-in. (6.4-mm) plate (suggested dimensions 4 by 12 in.
described below. (100 3 300 mm)). With each movement, the stack is permitted
to move over the plate edge and tap the table surface. The
X3.2 Prepare the sieves and the sample amount as de- above-described manual movement is designed to simulate the
scribed in 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3.1, with the exception of placing the rotation and tapping of machine sieving (see 4.4).

X4. PROCEDURE FOR CONFIRMING SAMPLE VALIDITY

X4.1 Rosin and Rammler chart paper (Fig. 4) may be used techniques is verified when duplicate results are confirmed by
to confirm the validity of sampling. Fineness results plotted on duplication of the curve. Wide deviations from a straight-line
the chart paper should approach a straight line with possibly a plot should be investigated to confirm reasons for the
slight deviation at the extremes. Consistency in sampling deviation.

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