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.

Designation: D197 − 19

Standard Test Method for

Sampling and Fineness Test of Pulverized Coal1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D197; 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 4. Apparatus
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the fine- 4.1 Sample Containers—Heavy vapor impervious bags,
ness by sieve analysis of coal sampled from a dry pulverizing properly sealed, or noncorroding cans such as those with an
operation. It is not applicable to products of wet milling or to airtight, friction top or screw top sealed with a rubber gasket
fines that have clustered into an agglomerated mass. and pressure sensitive tape for use in storage and transport of
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the laboratory sample. Glass containers sealed with rubber
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are gaskets may be used, but care must be taken to avoid breakage
provided for information only and are not considered standard. in transport.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4.2 Drying Oven—A device for passing slightly heated air
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the over the sample. The oven should be capable of maintaining a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- temperature of 10 °C to 15 °C (18 °F to 27 °F) above room
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- temperature with a maximum oven temperature of 40 °C
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (104 °F). Air changes should be at the rate of 1 L ⁄min to
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- 4 L ⁄min.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 4.3 Sieves, square-hole, woven-wire cloth conforming to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- Specification E11:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 2.36 mm (No. 8 USA Standard)
1.18 mm (No. 16 USA Standard)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 600 µm (No. 30 USA Standard)
300 µm (No. 50 USA Standard)
2. Referenced Documents 150 µm (No. 100 USA Standard)
75 µm (No. 200 USA Standard)
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 45 µm (No. 325 USA Standard)
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
The sieve frames shall be 203 mm (8 in.) in diameter, and
Sieves
the height of the sieve from the top of the frame to the cloth
3. Significance and Use shall be either 50.8 mm (2 in.) or 25.4 mm (1 in.). Selection of
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,
pneumatic transfer systems, etc. 4.4 Mechanical Sieving Machine—The mechanical sieving
machine shall be designed to provide both a circular motion
and a tapping action. It shall be designed to accept an assembly
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D05 on Coal of vertically nested circular sieves as described in 4.3. The
and Coke and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D05.07 on Physical machine action shall be such that results as described in
Characteristics of Coal.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally Section 7 are obtained within the allotted time frame. Action
approved in 1924. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D197 – 87(2012). should not be sufficiently severe to generate new fines by
DOI: 10.1520/D0197-19.
2
particle degradation. To facilitate the sieving operation, a
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
control switch device with timer is recommended. Other
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on equipment designs may be used provided the results are
the ASTM website. comparable.

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 D197 − 19
4.5 Balance, Laboratory—Approximately 1000 g capacity, Continue the operations of mixing and dividing until the
sensitivity 0.1 g. sample is divided sufficiently so that all of one of the divisions
4.6 Sampling Device (Storage System)—An instrument mass is approximately 500 g. This should constitute the
(scoop, dipper, or other suitable device) for collecting incre- laboratory sample.
ments that will constitute the total sample.
6. Sampling, Direct-Fired System
4.7 Sampling Device (Direct-Fired System)—Apparatus as
6.1 In the direct-fired system, the coal is pulverized and
described in 6.2.1 and 6.2.2.
delivered directly to the furnace in an air stream. It is difficult
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 6.4 mm to pipe between the pulverizer and furnace. It is best to collect
12.7 mm (1⁄4 in. to 1⁄2 in.). such samples from a vertical pipe, where as in a horizontal
pipe, 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. Any changes to the equipment may produce
container and seal. inconsistent results.
5.1.2 Preparation of the Laboratory Sample—A small riffle 6.2.1 Fig. 2 shows the recommended arrangement for sam-
(Fig. 1) can be used for mixing and dividing the sample by pling pulverized coal in a direct-fired system using a dustless
splitting. An enclosed riffle is preferred. Mix the gross sample sampling connection with an aspirator and a cyclone collector.
by splitting and recombining the halves a minimum of two In collecting the sample, turn on the compressed air to the
times. Divide the sample amount by successive riffle splitting dustless connection and adjust to give a balanced pressure at
operations on one half of the sample until the sample is divided the connection. Insert the sampling tip into the dustless
to approximately 500 g for the laboratory sample. To correctly connection with the tip facing directly into the coal-air stream.
use the riffle, the sample should be poured over the side of a Readjust the compressed air to give a balanced pressure with
pan (a third pan is necessary) and not from an end or corner, the nozzle inserted. Traverse the fuel transport line across the
nor from a container such as a pail or jar. Transfer the sample entire diameter of the pipe by moving at a uniform rate with the
to a sample container and seal. tip facing directly into the coal-air stream. The rate should be
5.1.3 As an alternative to riffle mixing and splitting, the 60 seconds per sample port. The aspirating air on the cyclone
sample can be prepared as follows: Place the gross sample on collector may or may not be used, depending on the static
a sheet of rubber, plastic, or paper and mix it by raising first one pressure in the fuel transport line, as discussed in 6.3.7.
corner of the cloth and then the other so as to roll the coal over 6.2.2 Fig. 3 shows detailed dimensions of a recommended
and over at least 20 times. After mixing, divide the sample. sampling tip. The area of the tip shown is 12.7 mm by 24.1 mm
or 306 mm2 (0.5 in. by 0.95 in. or 0.475 in.2), which is the
projected area of the tip facing the coal-air stream. Other tip
configurations and dimensions can be employed provided they
permit the collection of an unbiased sample from the coal
stream. See Appendix X1.
6.3 Collection of Gross Sample:
6.3.1 In sampling, it is essential that the velocity into the
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 (1 min per pipe)
FIG. 1 Sample Divider (Riffle) should be weighed and compared with the mass of coal passing

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

through the fuel transport line. The mass of the coal passing Sample rate, lb/min = 28 576.3 kg (63 000 lb)/h-pulverizer × 1 h/60 min × 1
through the pipe may be determined from the total coal to the pulverizer/6 lines × 306 mm2 (0.475 in.2)/sampler/1170 cm2 (182.65 in.2)/line × 1
sampler/1 line = 206 g/min-line (0.455 lb/min-line)
pulverizer divided by number of pipes. The mass of coal
passing through the fuel transport line, multiplied by the ratio Sampling for a 3 min period should then be 618 g (1.37 lb)
of the cross-sectional area of the sampling tip to that of the for 100 % recovery.
pipe, should be approximately equal to the sample mass (see 6.3.4 If the recovery is between 90 % and 110 %, the sample
6.3.9). For example, if a pulverizer has an output of shall be considered satisfactory as to collection rate for the pipe
28 576.319 kg (63 000 lb) of coal per hour passing through six and flow velocities. See Appendix X2.
lines, and if each line is 387 mm (15.25 in.) in inside diameter, 6.3.5 After taking one or two samples and weighing them
with a cross-sectional area of 1170 cm2 (182.65 in.2) and if the for confirmation, the collector vent control can be adjusted to
standard sampler has a tip opening of 12.7 mm by 24.1 mm give a recovery within the 90 % and 110 % limits. Discard
(0.5 in. by 0.95 in.) and a cross-sectional area of 306 mm2 those samples that do not meet the recovery limits.
(0.475 in.2), the sample rate per minute with 100 % recovery 6.3.6 If the static pressure in the fuel transport line is so high
should then be as follows: that the recovery is above 110 % with all aspirator air shut off,

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FIG. 3 Detail of Sampling Nozzle

throttle the flow from the cyclone to reduce the recovery to the made of the mixture, since the sample from each line repre-
desired range between 90 % and 110 %. This can be done by sents the proper proportion of the pulverizer output.
installing a valve or orifice at the cyclone collector vent 6.3.11 In storage systems, take samples at the outlet of the
discharge (see Fig. 2). cyclone collector. If the sampling location is under suction,
6.3.7 Samples shall be taken by carefully traversing at least provide the container with a cover that can be closed before it
two complete diameters 90° apart. Two common sampling is withdrawn from the sampling connection.
methods are the continuous transversing technique or the equal 6.3.12 The fineness of pulverized coal samples taken in a
area method. If preliminary samples taken at each individual storage system shall be either the mass average of the fineness
line show wide variations in fineness and recovery, better of all samples taken during the test or the fineness of the
locations should be used. The location shall preferably be in a composite sample.
vertical pipe as far as possible from preceding bends, changes
of cross section, or valves. A distance of seven to ten times the NOTE 1—The collection of a valid representative sample requires both
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
cleared of accumulated coal before taking samples. sampling, assisted by a person to facilitate equipment and sample
6.3.8 Precautions should be taken to keep the samples above handling.
the water dew point during collection.
6.3.9 When the sampling points are in the pipes and a 7. Fineness Test
pulverizer has two or more pipes, the total mass of the samples 7.1 Dividing the Sample—After air-drying, divide the
from all the pipes should be compared with total coal mass to sample amount to 50 g to 100 g as described in 5.1.2 and 5.1.3.
check the recovery, as explained in 6.3.2 – 6.3.4.
6.3.10 When the air velocity and static pressure in each fuel 7.2 Sieve Test:
transport line are nearly equal, the same cyclone throttle setting 7.2.1 Select the proper sieve sizes for the test and thor-
and the same air pressure at the aspirator should give about the oughly clean each by carefully brushing and tapping to assure
same sample tip velocity. Then, even if the coal is not equally that no solid particles from previous tests are trapped in the
distributed in the several pipes, duplicate cyclone throttle meshes. Nest the sieves together with the coarsest mesh at the
settings should result in samples from each pipe that will be top and in descending order with the finest mesh at the bottom.
approximately proportional in mass to the coal distribution, but Set a pan receiver at the bottom of the nest to receive the
the total should be between 90 % and 110 % of the propor- undersize. Place 45 g to 55 g of coal weighed to 60.05 g on the
tional total coal flow. Samples at each point should be taken for top sieve and cover with a fitted cover to prevent loss.
equal time periods and not by equal amounts collected. Each 7.2.2 Place the assembled set into the sieving machine and
sample may be sieved separately and the mass average used to make the necessary adjustments for the sieving operation.
obtain the average fineness of the pulverizer output, or the Adjust the timer for a 10 min period and start the machine. For
samples may be thoroughly mixed and one sieve determination hand sieving alternative, see Appendix X3.

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7.2.3 At the end of the sieving period, remove the stack, slip difference between the original sample portion and cumulative
off the receiver pan, and carefully brush into the pan receiver sieve mass is considered to be due to loss (or gain) of the
any particles that have adhered to the bottom surface of the undersize material and is so calculated. If the loss is greater
bottom sieve. Carefully transfer all of the pan contents into than 1 % for coals having 75 % or less undersize or is greater
another receptacle and return the clean pan receiver to the than 2 % for coals having more than 75 % undersize, discard
bottom of stacker sieves. Retain the transferred fines for the results and repeat the determination.
weighing. NOTE 3—An operator working at a site with a particular coal may
7.2.4 Return the stacked sieves to the sieving machine, set ascertain that in routine operations, differences in sample mass before and
the timer for a 5 min period, and start the machine. At the end after sieving are within such close tolerances that he may choose not to
of this interval, remove the stack and repeat the procedure weigh the undersize material. It should be recognized that results so
described in 7.2.3. However, this time collect the fines from the obtained are subject to question.
pan receiver and those brushed from the under-surface of the 9. Report
sieve and weigh. When the collected fines from the 5 min
sieving weigh less than 0.5 g, consider the sieving operation 9.1 The fineness test shall be reported as follows:
complete. If the fines weigh in excess of 0.5 g, reassemble the Retained on Passing %
USA Standard USA Standard
stack and repeat the sieving operation at 2 min intervals until
less than 0.2 g of fines are collected for a 2 min interval. 2.36 mm (No. 8) ... ...
7.2.5 Combine the fines collected in all of the operations 1.18 mm (No. 16) 2.36 mm No. 8 ...
600 µm (No. 30) 1.18 mm (No. 16) ...
from 7.2.3 and 7.2.4 and weigh on a balance sensitive to 300 µm (No. 50) 600 µm (No. 30) ...
0.01 g. Disassemble the sieves beginning with the largest. 150 µm (No. 100) 300 µm (No. 50) ...
Material that can be brushed from the bottom of a sieve shall 75 µm (No. 200) 150 µm (No. 100) ...
45 µm (No. 325) 75 µm (No. 200) ...
be considered to be part of the sample that has passed through ... 45 µm (No. 325) ...
that sieve. This material can be brushed directly onto the next For procedure to confirm sample validity, see Appendix X4
finer sieve. Material that is lodged in the sieve shall be (see Fig. 4).
considered a portion of the sample that was retained on that
sieve. The sieve can be placed over glazed paper, foil, or a pie 10. Precision and Bias
pan and lodged material brought onto that surface and then
10.1 Repeatability—Duplicate determinations on splits of
recombined with the material retained on that sieve.
the gross sample, by the same operator, using the same sieves,
NOTE 2—The procedure described in 7.2.4 and 7.2.5 is applicable to should check within 2 % of the material mass passing the finest
samples from a normal dry-pulverizing process. If, for whatever reason, sieve.
the sample consists of a major percentage concentrated on an intermediate
size interval, sieving operations should be continued until it is confirmed 10.2 Reproducibility—Duplicate determinations on splits of
that less than 0.2 g of fines pass that sieve in a 2 min interval. the gross sample, by different operators, using different sieves,
7.2.6 Weigh and record the amount of material collected should check within 4 % of the material mass passing the finest
from each sieve surface, including the undersize material. sieve.
10.3 Bias—The lack of a reference material precludes a bias
8. Calculations statement.
8.1 Calculate the fineness from the mass of the residues on
the sieves, including the undersize from the finest sieve, and 11. Keywords
express as percentages of the mass of the original sample. A 11.1 fineness; pulverized coal; sampling; sieve analysis

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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 Fig. 2 and fineness matching that obtained with the recommended tip
Fig. 3 are used, their ability to permit the collection of an design within the limits of reproducibility identified in 10.2.
unbiased sample should be evaluated on the basis of sample

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X2. EXTREME MALDISTRIBUTION

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

X3. FINENESS TEST BY HAND SIEVING

X3.1 For field testing or similar operations where a sieving 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 6.4 mm (1⁄4 in.) plate (suggested dimensions 100 mm ×
described below. 300 mm (4 in. by 12 in.)). With each movement, the stack is
permitted to move over the plate edge and tap the table surface.
X3.2 Prepare the sieves and the sample amount as described The above-described manual movement is designed to simulate
in 7.1 and 7.2.1, with the exception of placing the nest of sieves 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 devia-
slight deviation at the extremes. Consistency in sampling tion.

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