A compositional analysis of coal and coke and their associated combustion residues are often useful in assessing their quality. Knowledge of the elemental composition of the associated residues is also useful in predicting the elemental enrichment/depletion compositional behavior of ashes and slags in comparison to the concentration levels in the parent coal. Utilization of the ash by-products and hazardous potential may also depend on the chemical composition and leachability of the inorganic constituents of the coal ash.

The chemical composition of laboratory-prepared ash may not exactly represent the composition of mineral matter in coal or the composition of fly ash and slag resulting from commerical-scale burning of the coal.

1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the analysis of the commonly determined major and minor elements in coal, coke, and solid residues from combustion of coal and coke. These residues may be laboratory ash, bottom ash, fly ash, flue gas desulfurization sludge, and other combustion process residues.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.