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Majari Magazine
Sunday, February 8th, 2015

Understanding Coal Analysis

by Michael Hutagalung on 02/06/08 at 1:30 am | 108 Comments | |
How to understand a coal sample analysis? What is the difference
between proximate and ultimate analysis? What is AR (as-received)
basis? Is is the same with DAF (dry, ash free) basis? How about AD
(air-dried) basis? And what coal ash analysis is all about?
Well, it is indeed a long list of questions to answer but the explanation is
actually not as twisted as it seems. The main purpose of coal sample
analysis is to determine the rank of the coal along with its intrinsic
characteristics. Furthermore, these data will be used as the fundamental
consideration for future concerns, for instance: coal trading and its
utilizations.

Coal Properties

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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 analyzed. Moisture may occur in four
possible forms within coal:
Surface moisture: water held on the surface of coal particles or macerals
Hydroscopic moisture: water held by capillary action within the microfractures of the coal
Decomposition moisture: water held within the coals decomposed organic compounds
Mineral moisture: water which comprises part of the crystal structure of hydrous silicates
such as clays.
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.
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.

Coal Proximate Analysis

The objective of coal ultimate analysis is to determine the amount of fixed carbon (FC), volatile
matters (VM), moisture, and ash within the coal sample. The variables are measured in weight percent
(wt. %) and are calculated in several different bases. AR (as-received) basis is the most widely used basis
in industrial applications. AR basis puts all variables into consideration and uses the total weight as the
basis of measurement. AD (air-dried) basis neglect the presence of moistures other than inherent moisture
while DB (dry-basis) leaves out all moistures, including surface moisture, inherent moisture, and other
moistures. DAF (dry, ash free) basis neglect all moisture and ash constituent in coal while DMMF (dry,
mineral-matter-free) basis leaves out the presence of moisture and mineral matters in coal, for example:
quartz, pyrite, calcite, etc. Mineral matter is not directly measured but may be obtained by one of a
number of empirical formula based on the ultimate and proximate analysis.
Proximate Analysis

unit

(ar)

(ad)

(db)

(daf)

Moisture

(wt. %)

3.3

2.7

Ash

(wt. %)

22.1

22.2

22.8

Volatile Matter

(wt. %)

27.3

27.5

28.3

36.6

Fixed Carbon

(wt. %)

47.3

47.6

48.9

63.4

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Gross Calorific Value

http://majarimagazine.com/2008/06/understanding-coal-sample-analysis/

(MJ/kg)

24.73 24.88 25.57 33.13

A table is shown above containing an example of proximate analysis data of coal. Conversion from one
basis to another can be performed using mass balance equations. The standard practice for proximate
analysis of coal may be referred to ASTM D3172-07a or ISO 17246:2005.

Coal Ultimate Analysis

Similar to coal proximate analysis, the objective of coal ultimate analysis is to determine the
constituent of coal, but rather in a form of its basic chemical elements. The ultimate analysis
determines the amount of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), sulfur (S), and other elements within the
coal sample. These variables are also measured in weight percent (wt. %) and are calculated in the bases
explained above.
Ultimate Analysis

unit

(ar)

(ad)

(db)

(daf)

Carbon (C)

(wt. %)

61.1

61.5

63.2

81.9

Hydrogen (H)

(wt. %)

3.00

3.02

3.10

4.02

Nitrogen (N)

(wt. %)

1.35

1.36

1.40

1.81

Total Sulfur (S)

(wt. %)

0.4

0.39

0.39

Oxygen (O)

(wt. %)

8.8

8.8

9.1

A table is shown above containing an example of coal ultimate analysis data and showing significant
elements only. Conversion from one basis to another can be performed using mass balance equations. The
standard practice for ultimate analysis of coal may be referred to ASTM D3176-89(2002) or ISO
17247:2005.

Ash Analysis
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. An
example of coal ash composition is shown on the right.
Beside composition of coal ash, ash fusion point is also
one significant parameter in ash analysis. The optimum
operating temperature of coal processing will depend
on the gas temperature and also the ash fusion point.
Melting of the ashes may cause them to stick to the
walls of the reactor and result in a build-up.
You might be interested to read an article of coal
characterization equipments here, illustrated with
photos, including coal proximate analysis, ultimate
analysis, and ash fusion point analysis equipments.
Reference: CSIRO Energy Technology, ISO,
ASTM, Wikipedia

Oxides

wt.% of ash
Elements
(Calculated)

wt.% of
ash
(Measured)

Na2O

0.35

Na

0.26

MgO

0.48

Mg

0.29

Al2O3

20.0

Al

10.6

SiO

74.1

Si

34.6

P2O5

0.05

0.05

K2O

1.1

0.92

CaO

0.68

Ca

0.49

TiO2

0.80

Ti

0.48

Mn3O4

0.06

Mn

0.05

Fe2O3

3.25

Fe

2.28

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