Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology

Department of Metallurgical Engineering

____________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 2: Proximate Analysis of Coal

By

Nikie B. Alquizar
Angelica B. Alvizo
Christine Joy R. Baguio

A laboratory report
submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the Metallurgical Analysis Course (MET E 112)
Section A56 (MTh 1:30-4:30PM)

Prof. Mercurio I. Espinido, Ph. D.

Adviser

March 31, 2016

I. Abstract
Proximate analysis helps in determining the valuable qualities of coal used in
different industries. It is formally defined by a group of ASTM (American Society for
Testing and Materials) methods and is an assay of the moisture, volatile matter,
fixed carbon, and ash content of a coal sample.
Moisture is determined by establishing the loss in weight of the sample when
heated under rigidly controlled conditions of temperature, time and atmosphere,
sample weight, and equipment specifications. Moreover, ash is determined by
weighing the residue remaining after burning the coal under the same controlled
conditions.
Referring to the analysis of results, the coal sample used in the experiment
passes the ASTM standards for moisture and ash determination having 14% and
12% respectively. For ASTM D3173-73, moisture ranges from 1.0 21.9% and for
250- m

(No. 60) samples in ASTM D3174-73/79 ash ranges from 2.68-17.86%.

Thus, it is concluded that the coal sample analyzed is feasible and efficient in terms
of moisture and ash content.

II. Introduction
Coal is classified into three major types namely anthracite, bituminous, and
lignite. However there is no clear demarcation between them and coal is also
further classified as semi- anthracite, semi-bituminous, and sub-bituminous.
Anthracite is the oldest coal from geological perspective. It is a hard coal composed
mainly of carbon with little volatile content and practically no moisture. Lignite is
the youngest coal from geological perspective. It is a soft coal composed mainly of
volatile matter and moisture content with low fixed carbon. Fixed carbon refers to
carbon in its free state, not combined with other elements. Volatile matter refers to
those combustible constituents of coal that vaporize when coal is heated.
To be able to define the properties of coal, proximate analysis can be
performed which is set of parameters that determine the fixed carbon, volatile

matter, moisture, and ash percentages of coal. In this activity, moisture and ash
determination are performed.

III. Experimental Method

Moisture Determination (ASTM D3173-73)
For determining the moisture of coal, the oven shall be so constructed as to
have a uniform temperature in all parts, have a minimum of air space, and capable
of temperature regulation between the limits of 104 and 110C. Preparation of the
sample included constant weighing of the capsule (with cover) in the drying oven
and cooled over the desiccant. Approximately 1 gram of coal sample (passing 250

or No. 60 sieve) was placed in the capsule and weighed.

By removing the cover, the capsule was quickly placed in the preheated oven

(at 104-110C) through which passes a current of dry air. After an hour, the capsule
was quickly covered and cooled in a desiccator over desiccant and weighed as soon
as the capsule reached room temperature.

Ash Determination (ASTM D3174-73/79)

The capsule containing the sample in moisture determination was used in in
ash determination. After removing the covers, the capsule was placed in a cold
muffle furnace and was heated gradually at such a rate that the temperature
reaches 450-500C in 1 hour.
Heating was continued until a final temperature of 700-750C was reached.
The capsule was then cooled in a desiccator and weighed as soon as possible.

IV. Results and Discussions

Table 4.1 Tabular Data for Moisture Determination

Initial Weight of

Weight of capsule

Remaining

Moisture

capsule

after heating, W2

coal sample,

content, %

(w/o cover) + 1 g of

(g)

(g)

coal, W1 (g)
34.50

34.36

0.14

Moisture content , =

14

W 1W 2
34.5034.36
100 =
100 =14
initial g of coal
1

Fig. 4.1 ASTM D3173-11 Precision Table

As shown in Table 4.1, the remaining coal sample after heating is 0.14 g from
1 g. These data corresponds to a total of 14% moisture present in the sample lost
during the process.

From the ASTM D3173-11 Precision Table, the standard coal

sample has a moisture content ranging from 1.0 21.9%. Thus, the coal sample
used for moisture analysis in the set up passes the ASTM standards.

Table 4.2 Tabular Data for Ash Determination

Weight of empty

Weight of capsule,

Initial weight

capsule and cover,

cover, and ash

of coal

Wa, (g)
33.50

residue, Wb, (g)

33.62

sample, (g)
1

Ash content, %

12

Ash content , =

W b W a
33.6233.50
100 =
100 =12
initial g of coal
1

After heating the capsule in the furnace of 700-750C, it weighed 33.62 g

from 34.36 g heated from the oven. Ash content is determined by subtracting the
weight of capsule and cover together with the ash residue after it was subjected to
a higher temperature and the constant weight of the empty capsule and cover. The
ash residue recovered in the process was about 12%

IV. Conclusions
As stated in the discussion of moisture determination (ASTM D3173-73), the
coal sample of 14% moisture passes the ASTM standards ranging from 1.0 21.9%.
The ash content determined in the latter process is equivalent to 12%. According to
ASTM D3174-73/79, the relative precision of 250- m

(No. 60) samples for ash

determination test method covers the range from 2.68-17.86%. Hence, the coal
analyzed also passes the ASTM standards for ash content. Therefore, the coal
sample used in the experiment is considered to be feasible in terms of its moisture
and ash content.

V. References
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Standard Test Method
for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke. 100 Barr Harbor
Drive,

West

Conshohocken,

United

States.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/166533042/D3173-11-pdf#scribd (Accessed 2016-0325).

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Standard Test Method
for Ash in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke from Coal. 100 Barr

Harbor

Drive,

West

Conshohocken,

United

https://www.scribd.com/doc/170246036/D3174 (Accessed 2016-03-25).

States.