ISO 1953-2015 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 1953-2015 — Hard coal — Size analysis by sieving. This International Standard gives reference methods for determining particle-size distribution of hard coal by manual sieving (wet or dry) using test sieves; it also includes a guide to sampling (Annex A) and is applicable to hard coals (not to coke or other manufactured fuels).

Abstract

ISO 1953:2015 specifies reference methods for size analysis of coal by manual sieving (wet or dry) with test-sieve aperture sizes between 125 mm and 45 µm and provides guidance on sampling in Annex A. For pulverized coal where most material passes the smallest sieve, the method determines only the percentage oversize. (Edition 3, 2015).

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (superseded by ISO 1953:2025 — see published replacement).
• Publication date: November 2015 (Edition 3, 2015).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 73.040 (Coals).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2015).
• Number of pages: 13 (ISO edition information).

Scope

This standard provides reference procedures for manual sieving (wet or dry) to determine size distribution of hard coals using test sieves with aperture sizes in the range specified by the document (commonly quoted as 125 mm down to 45 µm). It includes guidance on sampling (Annex A) and notes limitations when applied to very finely pulverized coal (only oversize fraction determined). The standard is written for hard coals and explicitly excludes coke and other manufactured fuels.

Key topics and requirements

• Reference method for manual sieving (wet or dry) to determine particle-size distribution of hard coal.
• Specification of test sieves and aperture-size ranges (typical apertures down to 45 µm).
• Apparatus and apparatus preparation requirements (test sieves, sample containers, balance, sieving aids).
• Sampling guidance (Annex A) and procedures for preparing the test portion.
• Procedures for manual wet and dry sieving, mass determination and calculation of mass fractions (expression of results).
• Reporting requirements (test report contents) and informative annexes (examples and notes on removal of fines).
• Limitation: for extremely finely ground coal, the method only determines percent oversize relative to the smallest sieve aperture.

Typical use and users

Used by coal testing and quality-control laboratories, coal producers and processors, power generation and utilities procurement/specification teams, researchers working on coal characterization, and certification/inspection bodies that verify compliance with contractual particle-size requirements. It is also referenced by national standards bodies and testing laboratories when specifying size-analysis procedures for hard coal.

Related standards

Normative and related references commonly cited with ISO 1953 include ISO 1213 parts on vocabulary for solid mineral fuels and the ISO 13909 series on mechanical sampling of hard coal and coke; these documents address terminology, sampling practice and complementary sampling/testing methods.

Keywords

hard coal; coal; size analysis; sieve analysis; manual sieving; wet sieving; particle-size distribution; test sieves; sampling; oversize fraction.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 1953:2015 is an international standard titled "Hard coal — Size analysis by sieving" that provides reference methods for determining coal particle-size distribution by manual sieving (wet or dry).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers apparatus, sampling of test samples, manual wet and dry sieving procedures, calculation and expression of results, and test reporting. It includes guidance on sampling (Annex A) and informative examples (e.g., Annex B). The method applies to hard coals and does not apply to coke or other manufactured fuels.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Coal testing laboratories, coal producers, power plants and utilities, researchers, inspection/certification bodies, and standards organizations involved in coal quality and specification. These users apply the method for quality control, contractual verification and research.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 1953:2015 has been withdrawn and superseded by a later edition, ISO 1953:2025 (published in 2025). Users should refer to the 2025 edition for the current, published method.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 1953 is part of a family of standards on coal sampling and testing (see related documents such as ISO 13909 series on mechanical sampling and ISO 1213 vocabulary parts). Multiple editions of ISO 1953 exist; the 2015 text is Edition 3 and was later replaced by a 2025 edition.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Hard coal, sieve analysis, particle-size distribution, manual sieving, wet sieving, sampling, test sieves, oversize.