PrepASH ASTM D5142 Proximate Analysis

prepASH Series 340
Volatiles
Moisture, volatile matter, ash and fixed carbon can be analysed with
prepASH219/229 following the ASTM D 5142 in one working step.
prepASH Series 340 as a solution

The Series 340 is about fully automatic stand-alone devices of the second generation of
thermogravimetric analysers to determine solid contents and ash of substances, highly sophisticated, and at the
same time, very simple to operate, an intelligent combination of drying chamber, muffle furnace, precision balance
and evaluation centre in one unit. The prepASH 229 e.g. is able to analyse up to 29 samples at once, allowing the
user to program and run most complex, virtually unbounded procedures, in a temperature range beginning at
+50C up to +1000C, optionally with various process gases.
Eliminate potential for error increase precision and

reproducibility
Manual steps are the most common cause for inaccuracies. Those are
reduced to a minimum by the new prepASH generation 340, because
sample transfers to the drying chamber, the muffle furnace or the
exsiccator are no longer needed. The samples are permanently
weighed during the entire process and a compensation of the buoyancy
ensures the measuring accuracy.
The basic system of the device that satisfies the most reference
prescriptions, allows method-conform working under optimised analytic
preconditions with the effect of considerably enhanced reproducibility
and comparability. With the optional control of process gases (oxygen,
nitrogen, air), it is possible to treat even critical samples under definable
conditions.
Full control and documentation

Devices of the prepASH Series 340 do not need a PC to operate.
During all program steps they permanently record the weight loss of
every single sample to show it graphically on a colour touchscreen
display. Furthermore, it is possible to embed all models via ethernet
interface into a network and monitor them by the prepDATA software on
a PC. All measuring data are saved in the device and the software can
copy them on a memory stick or any PC which is part of the network.
Saving time
Once the samples are weighed in, the device is able to perform its task
autonomously. No more additional weighing, pre-incinerating, feeding
and extraction of samples by hand delays the evaluation. The final result
is at disposal in up to 80% less time!
Content of this Applicaton:
1. prepASH as a solution for the ash, moisture and volatile content determination
2. General information on chemical properties of coal
3. ASTM D 5142 Standard Test Methods for Proximate Analysis
4. ASTM D 5142 proximate analysis with prepASH (Practice)
General information on chemical properties of coal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_assay
Coal comes in four main types or ranks: lignite or brown coal, bituminous coal or black coal, anthracite and
graphite. Each type of coal has a certain set of physical parameters, which are mostly controlled by moisture,
volatile content (in terms of aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons) and carbon content.
1. Moisture
Moisture is an important property of coal, as all coals are mined wet. Groundwater and other extraneous moisture is known as
adventitious moisture and is readily evaporated. Moisture held within the coal itself is known as inherent moisture and is
analysed.
2. Volatile matter
Volatile matter in coal refers to the components of coal, except for moisture, which are liberated at high temperature in the
absence of air. This is usually a mixture of short and long chain hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons and some sulfur. The
volatile matter of coal is determined under rigidly controlled standards. In Australian and British laboratories this involves heating
the coal sample to 900 5 C (1650 10 F) for 7 minutes in a cylindrical silica crucible in a muffle furnace. American Standard
procedures involve heating to 950 25 C (1740 45 F) in a vertical platinum crucible. These two methods give different
results and thus the method used must be stated.
3. Ash
Ash content of coal is the non-combustible residue left after coal is burnt. It represents the bulk mineral matter after carbon,
oxygen, sulfur and water (including from clays) has been driven off during combustion. Analysis is fairly straightforward, with the
coal thoroughly burnt and the ash material expressed as a percentage of the original weight.
4. Fixed carbon
The fixed carbon content of the coal is the carbon found in the material which is left after volatile materials are driven off. This
differs from the ultimate carbon content of the coal because some carbon is lost in hydrocarbons with the volatiles. Fixed carbon
is used as an estimate of the amount of coke that will be yielded from a sample of coal. Fixed carbon is determined by removing
the mass of volatiles determined by the volatility test, above, from the original mass of the coal sample.
5. Chemical analysis
Coal is also assayed for oxygen content, hydrogen content and sulfur. Sulphur is also analysed to determine whether it is a
sulfide mineral or in a sulfate form. This is achieved by dissolution of the sulfates in hydrochloric acid and precipitation as barium
sulfate. Sulfide content is determined by measurement of iron content, as this will determine the amount of sulfur present as iron
pyrite.
Carbonate minerals are analysed similarly, by measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when the coal is treated
with hydrochloric acid. Calcium is analysed. The carbonate content is necessary to determine the combustible carbon content
and incombustible (carbonate carbon) content.
Chlorine, phosphorus and iron are also determined to characterise the coal's suitability for steel manufacture.
An analysis of coal ash may also be carried out to determine not only the composition of coal ash, but also to determine the
levels at which trace elements occur in ash. These data are useful for environmental impact modelling, and may be obtained by
spectroscopic methods such as ICP-OES or AAS
2. ASTM D 5142 Standard Test Methods for Proximate Analysis of the Analysis Sample of Coal
and Coke by Instrumental Procedures
ASTM D 5142 Document Information: Publication Date: Feb 1, 2009
Scope:
These instrumental test methods cover the determination of moisture, volatile matter, and ash, and the calculation
of fixed carbon in the analysis of coal and coke samples prepared in accordance with Method D 2013 and Practice
D 346. Results obtained through the use of the instrumental tests have been shown to differ from those obtained
with Test Methods D 3173, D 3174, and D 3175 on some coals and cokes. Where a relative bias between the
instrumental methods and Test Methods D 3173, D 3174, and D 3175 for proximate analysis of coal and coke are
shown to exist, the instrumental results shall be corrected or the instrument calibrated using samples of known
proximate analysis. Test Methods D 3173, D 3174, and D 3175 shall be considered the referee test methods. The
instrumental test methods are not applicable to thermogravimetric analyzers using microgram size samples.
The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3. ASTM D 5142 proximate analysis with prepASH

Moisture, volatile matter, ash and fixed carbon can be analysed with prepASH219/229 following the ASTM
D5142 in one working step.
The needed heating steps in the correct atmosphere including the calculation of the four results are fixed
programmed. Time and temperature of the steps can be adapted by the supervisor to the needs of samples
and regulations.
STANDARD-METHOD
The user is guided through the needed manual steps as weighing in, cover and uncover the crucibles.
prepASH can be calibrated with reference material of known volatile matter.
Reference coal and Calibration
Reference material is used to calibrate the methods for the determination of volatile matter content of samples.
prepASH is delivered with a standard method and pre-calibrated with 3 standards. Customers calibration: the
reference materials must cover the full range of expected volatile matter contents of the coal and coke samples
that will routinely be analyzed.
Graphic presentation of the analysis
prepASH: Equipment:
Moisture and volatile matters are determined under protection nitrogen atmosphere. The ashing step is done under oxidising
atmosphere with oxygen. Therefore prepASH 219/229 has to be equipped with the process gas flow unit (340-8502).
Set Volatiles
Free of charge we supply prepASH with Al2O3 crucibles with covers, tweezers and steel turn table for the crucibles.

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What are the main types of coal ranked by their properties?

What are the main components analyzed in coal proximate analysis?

prepASH Series 340

prepASH Series 340 as a solution

Eliminate potential for error increase precision and

Full control and documentation

General information on chemical properties of coal

3. ASTM D 5142 proximate analysis with prepASH

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