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Coal is a heterogeneous substance showing considerable non-homogeneity even in a finely ground state. Standards for sampling and analysis are used by industries involved in the generation of electricity, production of steel, gas, cement and chemicals, to name but a few. Plant and equipment manufacturers use the standards for sampling and coal preparation, and coal scientists throughout the world use those relating to fundamental coal structure.
European and International standards establish uniform procedures for comparing alternative methods with International Standard methods and for assuring the quality of the results obtained. Test methods for solid fuels include:
- Moisture, volatile matter and ash
- Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur
- Brown coals and lignites
- Major, minor and trace elements in coal and coal residues
- Guidelines for validation of methods
- Plastic properties of coal
- On-line analyzers
- Miscellaneous Methods
Other important topics include environmental aspects, considering how the product interacts with the environment during its life-cycle, including emissions to air, discharges to water and soil.
Coal tar is a valuable raw material and not a hazardous waste. The combustion of coal tar, often presented as the way to discard this product, affects adversely the environment as large quantities of Carbon dioxide and Sulfur dioxide are emitted into the air. In opposition, coal tar can be distilled under strictly regulated conditions, avoiding any air and soil pollution, and leading to valuable chemical substances.