Overview
ISO 17246:2024 is the international standard defining the procedure for proximate analysis of coal and coke. This third edition, released in 2024, expands the scope to cover both coal and coke, providing a uniform practice for the coal industry worldwide. The standard outlines methods for determining moisture, ash, volatile matter, and fixed carbon content, enabling consistent comparison and quality assessment of coal and coke samples. Developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 27, this specification supports industry needs for reliable, reproducible testing.
Key Topics
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Scope and Purpose
ISO 17246:2024 establishes a standardized proximate analysis method for coal and coke to support consistent quality evaluation and comparability across different products.
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Test Parameters and Methods
The standard specifies analytical procedures for:
- Total moisture content (including moisture in air-dried samples)
- Volatile matter content
- Ash content
- Fixed carbon content (calculated based on test results)
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Sample Preparation
Samples must be prepared according to prescribed methods to ensure representativeness and accuracy during testing.
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Result Expression
Results are reported primarily on an air-dried basis, with clear formulas provided for recalculations to as-received or dry bases.
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Reporting Requirements
Test reports must reference ISO 17246:2024, include sample identification, and present test results with their reporting basis.
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Normative References
The standard references related ISO documents describing complementary test methods and terminology, such as ISO 562, ISO 579, and ISO 1171.
Applications
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Coal Industry Quality Control
Enables coal producers and consumers to assess coal quality parameters precisely for process control and compliance with contractual specifications.
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Coke Production Monitoring
Assists coke manufacturers in evaluating coke strength and carbon content essential for blast furnace feedstock quality.
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Benchmarking and Comparison
Facilitates industry-wide comparison of coal and coke samples by providing universal, repeatable proximate analysis procedures.
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R&D and Process Optimization
Supports research in coal properties and improvements in coking and combustion processes through reliable data generation.
Related Standards
- ISO 562 – Determination of volatile matter in hard coal and coke
- ISO 579 – Determination of total moisture in coke
- ISO 589 – Determination of total moisture in hard coal
- ISO 1171 – Determination of ash content in coal and coke
- ISO 5068 Series – Moisture determination in brown coals and lignites
- ISO 5071-1 – Volatile matter determination methods for brown coals and lignites
- ISO 20360 – One furnace method for volatile matter in brown coal
- ISO 1170 – Calculation of analyses to different bases for coal and coke
By integrating ISO 17246:2024 with these complementary standards, coal and coke testing can achieve a high degree of accuracy, reliability, and uniformity essential for global industry operations.
Keywords: ISO 17246, proximate analysis, coal testing, coke testing, fixed carbon determination, moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, coal industry standards, coke quality, coal sample analysis, ISO standards coal, international coal analysis methods, coal quality control.
