Coal Chemistry Technician Training

About the Course

This one-and-a-half day course provides comprehensive training on the coal characterization standards that are used in laboratories around the world. The course offers a review of good laboratory practices in coal chemistry focusing on the standards most frequently used in coal chemistry labs.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Discuss the composition and classification of coal
• Discuss the preparation process for coal samples
• Calculate analytical values of coal

Who Should Attend

• Laboratory technicians
• Chemists
• Professionals new to testing
• Anyone working in fossil fuel testing laboratories

A B.S. Chemist degree or a Chemical Technician degree or equivalent with 3-5 years experience is recommended.

Course Description

Day One (8:30pm - 4:30 pm)

• Composition and Classifications of Coal
• ASTM International and Coal Standards
• Preparation of Coal Samples
• Calculating Analytical Values of Coal to Different Bases
• Proximate Analysis
• Ultimate Analysis

Day 2 (8:30 am - 12:30 pm)

• Precision and Bias
• Miscellaneous Analyses
• Composition of Coal and Coke Ash
• Thermal Swelling and Plastic Properties of Coals

ASTM Coal Chemistry Technician Training Certificate Program

An optional examination at the conclusion of the course is available to receive an ASTM Coal Chemistry Technician Training Certificate. The examination will be composed of multiple choice questions. Each student who receives a score of 80% or better will receive a certificate indicating they have successfully achieved the learning objective of the course.

The benefits of receiving a certificate include:

• Helping employers judge the skills of existing or potential employees
• Allowing certificate holders to differentiate themselves from others in their profession and advance their careers
• Listing in the ASTM Directory of Certificate Holders

Referenced Documents

Book of Standards Volume 05.06

Fee Includes:

• Copy of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 05.06: Gaseous Fuels, Coal and Coke
• Copy of the ASTM Manual Routine Coal and Coke Analysis: Collection, Interpretation, and Use of Analytical Data
• Course notes
• Certificate of Completion with 1.1 Continuing Education Units

About the Instructors

Dr. John T. Riley is Professor Emeritus from Western Kentucky University, where he taught advanced analytical and coal chemistry courses. Dr. Riley has served as Manager of the Coal and Fuel Characterization Laboratory, Director of the Center for Coal Science, and Director of the Materials Characterization Center of Western Kentucky University. Dr. Riley is the Vice Chair of ASTM International Committee D05 on Coal and Coke and belongs to numerous other professional societies. He is the author or coauthor of hundreds of papers presented at scientific meetings, and 168 publications. Dr Riley received his B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from Western Kentucky University and his Ph.D. in Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry from the University of Kentucky.

Stephen R. Smith, MS is an engineering manager and consultant with more than 40 years experience in the sampling and analysis of coal and coke, with international recognition of expertise in coal handling, weighing, sampling, sample preparation, laboratory analysis, online coal analyzers, bias testing, and combustion. A Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are the educational foundation for expertise in the coal industry, along with decades of experience in fossil fueled electric power plants for the US Tennessee Valley Authority. He was a project engineer on loan to Oak Ridge National Lab for magnetic desulfurization experiments, Paradise coal wash plant startup engineer, senior fuels engineer for 11 fossil plants, and senior analytical chemist at the TVA central lab. Since leaving TVA and forming Coalsmith Consultants, international work has included lab inspections, audits of sampling systems, bias tests, slagging and fouling investigations, carbon capture and sequestration, and providing analyses, statistics, and recommendations for executive decisions. He is a longtime member and current chairman of ASTM D5 committee on coal and coke, helping to create global standards for measuring coal quality. Coalsmith has gained respect and a reputation as a "go-to" resource for coal chemistry.

About Sponsoring Committee

Organized in 1898, ASTM is one of the world's largest voluntary standards development organizations. ASTM standards have grown to be among the world's most widely used and accepted documents. Committee D05 on Coal and Coke developed the standards used in this course. For more information on Committee D05 go to our D05 technical committee page.

Attention: Professional Engineers

If your state has a continuing education requirement for license renewal, ASTM training courses and ASTM membership can help you meet that requirement.

How Learning Will Be Assessed

Learning will be assessed through a series of question and answer sessions.