What Should We Pay Attention to in the Coal Sample Weighing Process?

The coal samples used in the coal quality analysis process are mostly on air dry basis. Even in the weighing process with a balance, the sample is also required to be kept in a drying status. That is to say, before the coal sample weighing, user needs to remove the desiccant (calcium chloride or color changing silica gel) from the balance first; and then open the side doors of the balance to let the air in, making the balance realize a status of air dry basis; In this case, when the sample is weighed, the inherent moisture in the coal sample will not evaporate very quickly. After the sample weighing, put the desiccant back into the balance immediately. When the moisture baking is completed(or the ash of coal sample has been burned out, or the volatile matter has been determined), since the sample has reached a complete drying status, the desiccant in balance should not be taken out from the balance in the sample weighing process. Meanwhile, please try to open the balance door as little as possible. If the balance keeps a complete drying status in the sample weighing process, the sample weight will be found to be decreased gradually. For the lignite, long flame coal or non-stick coal with high concentration of moisture, the weight loss phenomenon is more obvious. In particular, when the coal sample has not reached a compete drying status (has lots of free moisture on the surface), the weight loss phenomenon is more serious. This will inevitably lead to an increase of the measurement error: such as the low measured external moisture value and high measured calorific value, etc.
In general, the coal sample weighing process should be fast and accurate. After the sample weighing, the sample is required to be in a complete drying status for the carbon and hydrogen determination. For other determinations, take the moisture loss as an example: a little moisture loss in coal sample will not affect the testing results.

In addition, before weighing coal samples, in order to achieve uniformity as far as possible, user must use a small spoon to stir the coal sample, that is why the bottle should not be too full of samples, or it will be difficult to stir. Especially for the high ash or high sulfur raw coal samples, since the density difference between minerals and pure coal is too large, they are prone to segregation. Therefore, the coal sample stirring is an effective measure to reduce the measurement error. After the selection, the cleaned coal sample will be much more uniform, so it will be okay to stir a bit properly in the sample weighing process.

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CKIC Successfully Organized the 8th National Coal Standard(GB) Review Conference

From November 30 to December 3, the Standard Review Conference hosted by Coal Inspection Branch of National Coal Standardization Technical Committee was successfully organized by CKIC. More than 70 participants carefully reviewed on the "Technical Conditions of Coal Sample Preparation Dust Removal System" and other six national and industrial standards.

In November 30th, some members and experts of Coal Inspection Branch of National Coal Standardization Technical Committee convened a feature review conference on Total Moisture Analysis Method on Coal that used as standard in CKIC. After the fully discussion of participants and experts, they had expressed the unanimous view that this testing method was correct with a theory of weight loss method on air dry basis; analysis conditions were scientific and reasonable; Based on the automatic test system of coal moisture, the automatic continuous analysis was realized on site, which improved the analysis efficiency and ensured the accurate and reliable analysis result; As a replacing method of B2(One Step Air Drying Method) in GB/T211-2007 Testing Method of Total Moisture in Coal, its analysis results can be equally used as B2(One Step Air Drying Method) in GB/T211-2007 Testing Method of Total Moisture in Coal, which provided a solid theory basis for the users who purchased 5E-MAT6550 Total Moisture Testing System.

During the conference, the experts visited our company's central laboratory, fuel intelligent demonstration platform and production and processing center, and had a deep-in discussion with the relevant technicians and management personnel.In the central laboratory, seeing the industry's first fluoride, chlorine, mercury and other toxic elements detection equipment, many experts said that these new products fully demonstrated that CKIC was leading the development of China's technology by technological innovation in the fuel testing industry.With a total investment of 200 million RMB, the production and processing center covers a construction area around 40,000 square meters. Visiting the production and quality control process of coal sampling equipment and fuel intelligent equipment, experts had a deep impression on the clean and tidy environment, advanced numerical control processing equipment, professional staff and orderly production operations. 

For the first demonstration platform of fuel intelligent construction in China, the experts gave great certainty on our innovative PLC + FCS fuel intelligent control systems and related intelligent equipment. Meanwhile, they also put forward many suggestions and expectations on the development of fuel intelligence.

As a member of National Coal Standardization Technical Committee, CKIC has been dedicating to the national and industrial standards making and revision. This conference not only makes the industrial experts have a deep understanding on our company, but also offers our employees a great opportunity to closely study the national standards making and revision.

CKIC Speeds Up Its Development on Environmental Application in Italy

Recently, another unit of CKIC, 5E-IRH2200 Hydrogen Analyzer, was successfully installed in Italy for the calculation of the net calorific value in waste samples.

The equipment was purchased by a multinational company called Mérieux NutriSciences who owns one of the biggest contract laboratory in Europe.  As part of Institut Mérieux, Mérieux NutriSciences is dedicated to protecting consumers’ health by offering a wide range of testing and consulting services for the food & nutrition, agrochemicals, environmental protection, pharma and cosmetics. They have a network of more than 45 laboratories around the world, and they also have a laboratory with about 600 employees in Italy. 

CKIC has made a number of breakthroughs in environmental projects, and will continue to work closely with our local partners for further application upgrades not only on the waste samples, but also on food and biomass. Meanwhile, CKIC will keep upgrading on the service and timely response to win the favor of overseas customers. 

CKIC Joined in ASTM Collaborative Experiment

CKIC, as one of the 17 participant Labs and the only lab in China, joined in global collaborative experiment organized by ASTM committee. ASTM committee organized this experiment to establish the precision and bias of carbon in coal and coke. Finally, the test result of CKIC got recognized by ASTM, which has promoted the revision of ASTM D5373-16 Standard Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen in Analysis Samples of Coal and Carbon in Analysis Samples of Coal and Coke.

To thanks for CKIC lab’s efforts, ASTM particularly lists CKIC lab in ASTM International Laboratory Directory.
More details are available on ASTM LABS.