Moisture

The total moisture content of coal is the percentage of water in all forms (except water of crystallization of the
mineral matter) that resides within the coal matrix.

The various forms of moisture in coal are described according to the manner in which they are measured by
some

prescribed

standard

method.

These

forms

are

(1) inherent moisture, (2) surface or free moisture, (3) total moisture, (4) air-dry loss moisture, (5) residual
moisture, (6) as-received moisture, (7) decomposition moisture, and (8) water of hydration of mineral matter.

Inherent moisture (bed moisture, equilibrium moisture, capacity moisture) is assumed to be the water held within
the pore system and capillaries of coal and is not to be identified with residual moisture. Surface moisture (free
moisture) is, as the term implies, water held on the surface of the coal. Total moisture is the moisture determined
as the loss in weight in an air atmosphere under rigidly controlled conditions of temperature, time, and airflow
(ASTM D-3302) and is the sum of inherent moisture and free moisture and is also the sum of the air-dry loss and
residual moisture. Air-dry loss moisture is the loss in weight resulting from the partial drying of coal, and residual
moisture is that remaining in the sample after determining the air-dry loss moisture. As-received moisture also is
equal to the total moisture, or is the sum of the inherent and free moisture present in the coal at the time of the
analysis. Decomposition moisture is produced from the thermal decomposition of organic constituents of coal.
Water of hydration of mineral matter is the water that is incorporated into the crystal lattices of the clay and
inorganic

minerals

in

coal.

The moisture content of coal ranges from 6% by weight in anthracite coals to 45% by weight in lignite.
There are various standardized tests to determine the moisture content of coal and they are classified depending
upon the type of moisture content tested (1) ASTM D-1412 (ISO 1018) for determination of the equilibrium
moisture of coal at 96 to 97% relative humidity and 30C, (2) ASTM D-2961 for determination of the total moisture
of coal reduced to number 8 (2.38-mm) top sieve size (limited-purpose method), (3) ASTM D-3173 for
determination of the moisture in the analysis sample of coal and coke, and (4) method D-3302 for determination
of the total moisture in coal. In addition to these test methods, the method of preparing coal samples for analysis
(ASTM D-2013) gives directions for air-drying coal samples. It has been suggested that the best technique is to
determine loss during drying in air (ASTM D-3302; ISO 11722) followed by co distillation of moisture with xylene.
Alternatively, moisture can be determined in an oven (at a fixed temperature) that is swept with dry nitrogen or
another

inert

gas

(ISO

589).

Moisture determination (ASTM D-3173; ASTM D-3302) depends on the extent of sample preparation and the
condition of the coal sample. The entire procedure for determining the total moisture in coal, after collecting the

gross sample, begins with preparing the sample for analysis (ASTM D-2013). If the gross sample is sufficiently
dry, it may be sieved immediately and air-dried. If the sample is too wet to reduce in size, it should be weighed
before size reduction and air-dried using an oven that is set 10 to 15C (18 to 27F) above room temperature with
a maximum oven temperature of 40C (106F); under ambient temperature conditions, ambient temperature
should be used. In this manner, the moisture in the sample is reduced to an equilibrium condition with the air in
the laboratory, and changes in moisture content are minimized during the crushing and grinding operations and
even during analysis. After reduction of the gross sample to number 4 or number 8 top size, it is divided and a
laboratory sample taken. The laboratory sample is then air-dried and reduced to number 8 top size if necessary. If
the total moisture is to be determined (ASTM D-3302), residual moisture is determined by heating at 104 to 110C
(219 to 230F) for approximately 1 hour. Air drying removes most of the surface moisture of coal, while a
temperature of approximately 107C (225F) is needed to remove inherent moisture. At temperatures of
approximately 200 to 300C (392 to 572F), moisture from the decomposition of organic materials is driven off,
but water of hydration requires a considerable amount of energy for expulsion. For example, the water of
hydration in clay minerals may require a temperature in excess of 500C (932F). However, the issues of
decomposition moisture and water of hydration of mineral matter are not usually dealt with in conventional
analysis because the temperatures specified in the test methods for moisture determination are well below those
needed to remove such moisture. Usually, the first moisture value to be obtained on a coal sample is the air- dry
loss moisture. This moisture loss occurs during an attempt to bring the coal sample into equilibrium with the
atmosphere in the sample preparation room. The practice of using temperatures above room temperature may
accelerate oxidation but shortens the time needed for air drying; hence, temperatures above 40 to 50C (104 to
122F)

are

not

recommended

for

air

drying.

In the test method for determination of the equilibrium moisture in coal (ASTM D-1412; ISO 1018), a sample is
brought into equilibrium in a partially evacuated desiccator with an atmosphere of 96 to 97% relative humidity at
30C (86 F). However, as in all methods of determining moisture, precautions must be taken to obtain reliable
results from this test method. Over-dried and/or oxidized coal results in low moisture values. To prevent
overdying, the sample should be kept wet before this test is run, and using a dry nitrogen atmosphere can prevent
oxidation of the coal during the test. During the test itself, it is important to observe the temperature and time
limits for equilibration (as specified in the test method). Furthermore, sudden lowering of the temperature or a
sudden surge of air into the desiccator after equilibration may cause condensation of moisture on the coal. In
addition, loss of part of the coal sample when a sudden surge of air is allowed into the evacuated desiccator voids
the

results

of

the

test.

Sample handling should be kept at a minimum during moisture determination, thereby eliminating the potential for
loss or gain of moisture during prolonged handling. Heat generated by the crushing and grinding operations used
during reduction of the gross sample may be sufficient to cause moisture loss. Alternatively, or in addition, the
relative humidity of the sample during preparation and the relative humidity in the testing laboratory may also
change during the time that is required for a complete analysis. Air-drying steps in the analysis and efficient

sample handling help minimize the effects of relative humidity changes. Exposure of the coal sample to the
atmosphere for extended periods of time increases the chances of oxidation, which results in a weight gain by the
coal sample that offsets part of the loss of moisture and gives moisture results that are incorrect. In the
determination of moisture by a weight-loss method, it is necessary to attain a constant weight, which requires
alternate heating and cooling of samples. Prolonged heating or an excessive number of alternate heating and
cooling

cycles

should

be

avoided,

to

minimize

the

chances

of

oxidation.

The natural bed moisture of coal is determined (ASTM D-1412; ISO 1018) by wetting the coal, removing the
excess water by filtration, and allowing moisture equilibration to occur by standing the coal over a saturated
solution of potassium sulphate in a closed vessel, thereby maintaining the relative humidity at 96 to 97%. The
vessel must be evacuated to about 30 mm Hg and the entire sample maintained at 30 0.2C (86 0.4F) for 48
hours for coals of higher rank than lignite; lignite will require 72 hours to reach equilibrium. The method can also
be used to estimate the surface for extraneous moisture of wet coal; such moisture is the difference between the
total moisture of the coal and the natural bed moisture.