coal concepts proficiency testing general analysis … · letter to participant 4 list of...

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COAL CONCEPTS PROFICIENCY TESTING

GENERAL ANALYSIS SAMPLE

REPORT – NINETY-EIGHT

Revision 00

Final report

DATE ISSUED: 31 DECEMEBR 2019

PARTICIPANT

SCHEME COORDINATOR: K MUNSAMY

SIGNATURE: _____________________

CHECKED BY: R BABOOLAL (SCHEME MANAGER)

Disclaimer: Opinions and interpretations expressed herein are outside the scope of SANAS accreditation *Moisture in the analysis sample is not included in the SANAS schedule of accreditation as robust statistics cannot be applied.

Chlorine, Fluorine, Quick ash, ASTM ash and ASTM Volatiles is not included in the scope of accreditation.

THINKING QUALITY, QUALITY THINKING

REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2006/149731/23 (RMB INDUSTRIAL STATIONERS cc t/a)

81 CERAMIC CURVE, ALTON, RICHARDS BAY 3900 l TEL: +27(0)35 751 2446 l CEL: +27(0)83 6500151 l FAX: 0862605793

E-MAIL: [email protected] l [email protected]

LABORATORY CODE:

mailto:[email protected]

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. One hundred and twenty four samples were sent to participants with 123 timeous result submissions

2. The total number of outliers found were as follows (dry base):

• ISO Ash x 4

• Quick ash x 2

• ISO Volatiles x 7

• Calorific value x 1

• Sulphur x 4

• Phosphorous x 1

• Carbon x 1

• AFT – Hemisphere x 4, Flow x 2

3. Chlorine, Fluorine, ASTM Ash & ASTM Volatile Matter participants were insufficient to warrant robust statistical calculations. The average result was used as the assigned value.

4. Trending for your laboratory is as follows:

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM

PAGE NUMBER

Letter to participant

4

List of participants

5

Type of sample used

6

Preparation of sample

6

Homogeneity check

6

Stability check

7

ISO Ash data

8

ISO Ash z-score trend

9

Quick Ash data 10

Quick Ash trend 11

ISO Volatile matter data

12

ISO Volatile matter z-score trend

13

Calorific value data

14

Calorific value z-score trend

15

Total sulphur data

16

Total sulphur z-score trend

17

Phosphorous data and Z-Score trend

18

Carbon data / Hydrogen data / Nitrogen data

19

AFT data and z-scores

20

ASTM Ash and ASTM Volatile matter, Chlorine & Fluorine 21

Conclusion

22

Terms & Conditions 23

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Dear Participant

RE: PROFICIENCY TESTING RESULTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2019 Thank you for your participation in the Coal Concepts proficiency testing scheme.

Your laboratory code is

All results are totally confidential. Any results in Bold, Italics and Underlined are outliers. Where applicable, the most

extreme outliers have been eliminated from calculations using the Grubbs estimate for outliers. Robust statistics has

been applied where possible. Analysis results have been reported on air dry and dry base. The dry base results have

been used to calculate the z-scores.

Please take note of the following:

1. Z-scores between -1 and +1 is deemed acceptable

2. Z-scores between -2 and -3 should serve as a warning that the analysis result could get worse

3. Z-scores between +2 and +3 should also serve as a warning that analysis results could get worse.

4. Z- scores lower than -3 and exceeding +3 should warrant an investigation

5. Compare your result to the robust average which will be the assigned value. The measurement of uncertainty (UoM)

of the results is also stated.

6. All calculations can be made available upon request

The Coal Concepts scheme adheres to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2010 – Conformity assessment – General

requirements for proficiency testing.

Statistical analysis has been carried out using ISO/IEC 13528:2015-Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by

interlaboratory comparisons

Please find results attached together with Z-score trends.

Best Regards

R Baboolal

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LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Arcelor Mittal - Vanderbijl Park Arcelor Mittal - Newcastle

Anglo SOC - Goedehoop Colliery South Plant Anglo SOC - Goedehoop Colliery North Plant

Anglo SOC - Kleinkopje Colliery Anglo SOC - Greenside Colliery

Afrisam - Dudfield Alfred H Knight -Richards Bay Laboratory

Afrisam - Ulco AquaSpecto

Botswana Power Corporation - Morupule B Power Station Bureau Veritas Inspectorate Laboratories - Middelburg

Bureau Veritas – Moatize, Vale Bureau Veritas - Nacala

Bureau Veritas Inspectorate Laboratories - Tendele Bureau Veritas Inspectorate Laboratories - Beira

Bureau Veritas Inspectorate Laboratories - Alton Bureau Veritas Testing & Inspection SA - Pretoria

Cotecna South Africa - AMR Cotecna South Africa - Nasonti

Cotecna South Africa - Lurco Cotecna South Africa - Phola

Cotecna South Africa – Tselentis Cotecna South Africa - Kangala

Cotecna South Africa - Middelburg Cotecna Ubumbene(Pty)Ltd - Umlabu

- Umlabu Cotecna South Africa - Mimosa Cotecna South Africa - VDD

Cotecna South Africa - Droogvallei

Delmas Coal Eyethu Coal Mooifontein

Eyethu Coal Wilge Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Matimba Power Station

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Kendal Power station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Duvha Power Station

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Lethabo Power Station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Komati Power Station

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Tutuka Power Station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Grootvlei Power Station

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - ERID Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Kriel Power Station

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Hendrina Power Station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Majuba Power Station

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Arnot Power Station Exxaro Resources - Grootegeluk Mine

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd - Matla Power Station Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Medupi Power Station

Exxaro Resources - Matla Mine G&W Base & Industrial Minerals

Glencore Wonderkop Glencore -Rustenburg Smelter

Glencore Boshoek Smelter Glencore -Lydenburg Smelter

Glencore Lion Smelter

HighVeld Laboratories Hwange Colliery – Zimbabwe

Intertek Mozambique Idwala Lime

Jindal Mining SA Pty Ltd – Kiepersol Colliery

Khwezela Colliery - Landau Kangra Coal (Pty) Ltd

Lafarge Industries SA (Pty) Ltd - Lichtenburg Mpumamanzi Group CC

Morupule Coal Mine - Botswana Mafube Colliery Mine PTY (Ltd)

Msobo Coal PTY Ltd Mitra SK South Africa (PTY) Ltd

M L Coal PTY Ltd Noko Analytical Services CC - Welgemeend

Noko Analytical Services CC - Hakahno Noko Analytical Services CC - Twistdraai

Noko Analytical Services CC - Witbank Quality Ensure Eastside Laboratory

Richards Bay Minerals Ronewa Lab

RSA Labs

Seriti - Kriel Colliery Seriti - New Vaal Colliery

Siza Coal Services - Wescoal Siza Coal Services - Vlakfontein

Siza Coal Services - Botswana Siza Coal Services - Kinross

Siza Coal Services - Middelburg Siza Coal Services - NCC

Siza Coal Services - Carolina Siza Coal Services - Mooiplaats

Siza Coal Services - Wildfontein Siza Coal Services - Sasolburg

Siza Coal Services - Umlalazi South 32 – Khutala Colliery

Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC - Vaalbult Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC - West Coal Processing

Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC – Mzimkhulu

Sibonisiwe Coal Laboratory Services CC – Elandsfontein

SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd – Richards Bay Coal Terminal Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Leeuwpan Laboratory

SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Trichardt Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd – Richards Bay Port Laboratory

SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd – GGV Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Middelburg Laboratory

SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Impunzi Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Wondefontein Laboratory

SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Chilwavuhusiku Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd – Tweefontein Laboratory

SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Londani Laboratory SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Zonnebloem Laboratory

SABS Commercial SOC Ltd CSIR SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Richards bay

SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Uitkomst SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Secunda

SPTE Lab - Middelburg SABS Commercial SOC Ltd Springlake

Tata Steel – Wales Lab, Europe UIS Analytical Services

Umzamo Analytical Services - Overlooked Colliery Umzamo Analytical Services - Witbank

Umzamo Analytical Services - Doornrug Umzamo Analytical Services - Sudor

Vitrovian Analytical Services DELMAS Zululand Anthracite Colliery

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1. TYPE OF SAMPLE USED

The coal used in this proficiency testing round was bituminous coal

2. PREPARATION OF SAMPLE

Approximately 1000kg’s of sample with an approximate topsize of 50mm was sourced. This was crushed to -

4mm using a jaw crusher. The -4mm material was reduced to -212um using a cross beat pulveriser. The 212

material was sieved using a 212um screen. Any +212um material was pulverised and sieved until all material

passed through the 212 um sieve.

All the -212um material was then mixed in a mixing drum for 4 hours.

3. HOMOGENEITY CHECK

There were 120 participants in this round, 10 portions of sample were randomly extracted. These were

packaged in their final form i.e. in 200ml sample bottles. The bottles were labelled 1 to 20. The results were as

follows:

SAMPLE NO. TEST PORTION 1 TEST

PORTION 2 sample av (Xt) range (Wt) range sqd

1 13.65 13.63 13.64 0.02 0.0004

2 13.75 13.59 13.67 0.16 0.0256

3 13.63 13.64 13.64 0.01 0.0001

4 13.66 13.77 13.72 0.11 0.0121

5 13.7 13.8 13.75 0.10 0.0100

6 13.7 13.67 13.69 0.03 0.0009

7 13.66 13.69 13.68 0.03 0.0009

8 13.73 13.72 13.73 0.01 0.0001

9 13.58 13.72 13.65 0.14 0.0196

10 13.59 13.7 13.65 0.11 0.0121

GENERAL AVERAGE 13.68 STANDARD DEVIATION 0.039 WITHIN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0.064

BETWEEN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0.022

The between sample standard deviation must be ≤ 0.3 x ơ

(ơ = std deviation for the proficiency assessment)

Ơ = 2% of the mean was used, which is the repeatability for ISO ash (Ash % > 10%)

Hence 0.3 x 0.274 = 0.082

Since 0.022 < 0.082, the samples are homogenous

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4. STABILITY CHECK Samples were retained for sales as reference material. Ten of them were randomly chosen for stability testing.

In order for the proficiency testing samples to be declared stable the general average from the homogeneity

check and that of the stability check the difference in the general average should not differ by more than 0.3 X

precision.

This test has been carried out about a month after the samples were received by the participating laboratories

SAMPLE NO. TEST PORTION 1 TEST

PORTION 2 sample av (Xt) range (Wt) range sqd

1 13.61 13.61 13.61 0.00 0.0000

2 13.69 13.65 13.67 0.04 0.0016

3 13.58 13.57 13.58 0.01 0.0001

4 13.71 13.74 13.73 0.03 0.0009

5 13.62 13.64 13.63 0.02 0.0004

6 13.63 13.59 13.61 0.04 0.0016

7 13.59 13.76 13.68 0.17 0.0289

8 13.53 13.68 13.61 0.15 0.0225

9 13.64 13.62 13.63 0.02 0.0004

10 13.71 13.7 13.71 0.01 0.0001

GENERAL AVERAGE 13.64 STANDARD DEVIATION 0.048 WITHIN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0.053

BETWEEN SAMPLE STANDARD DEVIATION 0.030

(Ơ = 0.274 was used)

For this report 0.3 x 0.274 = 0.082

Absolute value of (13.64– 13.68) = 0.04

Since 0.04 < 0.194 the proficiency testing samples were stable

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COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -DECEMBER 2019

ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ISO ASH (%)

LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%) Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 13.65 14.39 0.75

6a 4.45 13.56 14.19 -1.02

9a 4.30 13.53 14.14 -1.49

10a 4.30 13.60 14.21 -0.85

12a 5.10 13.60 14.33 0.20

13a 4.20 13.60 14.20 -0.98

15a 4.70 13.58 14.25 -0.51

18a 4.23 13.89 14.50 1.72

21a 4.83 13.60 14.29 -0.15

23a 4.18 13.75 14.35 0.37

24a 4.40 13.64 14.27 -0.35

26a 4.00 13.80 14.38 0.59

27a 4.08 13.75 14.33 0.24

28a 3.78 13.90 14.45 1.22

30a 4.51 13.64 14.28 -0.21

32a 4.40 13.70 14.33 0.20

33a 4.60 13.65 14.31 0.00

35a 4.86 13.56 14.25 -0.48

36a 4.20 13.90 14.51 1.77

37a 4.70 13.60 14.27 -0.32

38a 4.33 13.48 14.09 -1.91

42a 4.12 13.69 14.28 -0.26

49a 4.13 13.62 14.21 -0.89

58a 3.82 13.79 14.34 0.26

59a 4.16 13.70 14.29 -0.11

60a 4.29 13.74 14.36 0.42

61a 4.10 13.70 14.29 -0.19

66a 4.20 13.80 14.41 0.86

71a 3.20 13.80 14.26 -0.45

72a 5.27 13.75 14.51 1.82

74a 4.73 13.77 14.45 1.28

76a 3.70 13.63 14.15 -1.35

78a 1.29 13.98 14.16 -1.27

79a 4.66 13.70 14.37 0.54

80a 5.00 13.70 14.42 1.00

82a 4.60 13.82 14.49 1.57

83a 4.60 13.71 14.37 0.56

88a 4.75 13.70 14.38 0.66

91a 3.40 13.70 14.18 -1.10

92a 4.83 13.73 14.43 1.05

95a 4.30 13.75 14.37 0.53

96a 4.87 13.78 14.49 1.56

97a 3.19 13.86 14.32 0.08

99a 4.30 13.80 14.42 0.99

100a 4.58 13.64 14.29 -0.11

101a 4.53 13.72 14.37 0.56

105a 3.60 13.50 14.00 -2.67

106a 4.54 13.70 14.35 0.39

108a 4.29 13.80 14.42 0.97

109a 4.70 13.80 14.48 1.52

110a 4.05 13.81 14.39 0.75

112a 4.20 13.70 14.30 -0.06

117a 4.70 13.75 14.43 1.06

124a 3.62 13.82 14.34 0.28

126a 4.06 13.76 14.34 0.30

131a 3.68 13.84 14.37 0.54

132a 4.36 13.52 14.14 -1.50

135a 4.86 13.71 14.40 0.85

136a 4.02 13.70 14.27 -0.30

137a 4.20 13.70 14.30 -0.06

143a 3.76 13.70 14.24 -0.64

145a 5.12 13.70 14.44 1.16

151a 5.00 13.62 14.34 0.26

161a 4.00 13.60 14.17 -1.24

162a 4.57 13.67 14.32 0.15

166a 4.55 13.78 14.44 1.14

167a 3.90 13.70 14.26 -0.45

168a 3.22 14.30 14.78 4.11

169a 4.14 13.70 14.29 -0.14

170a 4.20 13.80 14.41 0.86

171a 2.58 13.40 13.75 -4.86

173a 18.09 13.60 16.60 20.17

177a 3.17 17.70 18.28 34.89

180a 4.53 13.57 14.21 -0.82

184a 4.10 13.56 14.14 -1.48

190a 4.20 13.50 14.09 -1.9

191a 4.20 13.40 13.99 -2.81

192a 4.20 13.60 14.20 -0.98

193a 4.10 13.60 14.18 -1.11

194a 4.38 13.66 14.29 -0.19

195a 4.45 13.61 14.24 -0.56

196a 3.87 13.65 14.20 -0.95

197a 4.43 13.73 14.37 0.52

200a 3.89 13.79 14.35 0.36

Number of results - 84 84 84 -

OUTLIERS - - 2 4 -

AVERAGE - 4.43 13.69 14.31 -

STD DEVIATION - - 0.11 0.11 -

MEDIAN 13.70 14.32

ROBUST AVERAGE - - 13.69 14.31 -

ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0.12 0.12 -

UoM 0.02 0.02

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-3.00

-2.00

-1.00

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

Z-SC

OR

E

LABORATORY ID

ISO ASH Z-SCORE TREND

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ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : QUICK ASH (%)

LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%)

Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

8a 3.40 13.70 14.18 -0.09

21a 4.83 13.48 14.16 -0.18

22a 2.82 13.74 14.14 -0.31

23a 4.18 13.85 14.45 1.27

24a 4.40 13.57 14.19 -0.03

35a 4.86 13.40 14.08 -0.58

36a 4.20 13.40 13.99 -1.07

37a 4.70 13.60 14.27 0.35

39a 4.18 13.50 14.09 -0.56

41a 3.50 13.80 14.30 0.50

49a 4.13 13.52 14.10 -0.49

50a 4.22 14.04 14.66 2.30

59a 4.16 13.63 14.22 0.10

73a 4.37 13.60 14.22 0.10

74a 4.73 13.78 14.46 1.32

77a 5.00 13.60 14.32 0.58

84a 5.51 13.62 14.41 1.07

92a 4.83 13.62 14.31 0.55

94a 4.95 13.48 14.18 -0.09

98a 2.50 11.11 11.39 -14.09

100a 4.58 13.55 14.20 0.00

101a 4.53 13.65 14.30 0.49

102a 3.80 13.50 14.03 -0.84

105a 3.60 13.50 14.00 -0.99

126a 4.06 13.45 14.02 -0.91

130a 4.60 13.40 14.05 -0.78

131a 3.68 13.70 14.22 0.11

132a 4.36 13.19 13.79 -2.06

133a 3.20 13.43 13.87 -1.64

136a 4.02 13.65 14.22 0.11

137a 4.20 13.81 14.42 1.08

140a 4.27 13.63 14.24 0.19

143a 3.76 13.73 14.27 0.33

145a 5.12 13.60 14.33 0.67

147a 4.60 13.50 14.15 -0.25

153a 4.34 13.70 14.32 0.61

160a 4.34 13.80 14.43 1.13

161a 4.00 13.50 14.06 -0.69

162a 4.57 13.70 14.36 0.78

163a 4.30 14.00 14.63 2.15

164a 4.34 13.70 14.32 0.61

168a 3.22 14.55 15.03 4.19

169a 4.14 13.80 14.40 0.98

176a 4.10 14.00 14.60 2.00

178a 3.83 13.85 14.40 1.0

181a 4.20 13.40 13.99 -1.07

182a 3.64 13.60 14.11 -0.44

183a 3.90 13.80 14.36 0.80

184a 4.10 13.50 14.08 -0.62

185a 4.57 13.30 13.94 -1.33

187a 3.78 13.53 14.06 -0.70

188a 3.88 13.88 14.44 1.20

189a 4.29 13.43 14.03 -0.85

190a 4.20 13.40 13.99 -1.07

191a 4.20 13.20 13.78 -2.12

192a 4.20 13.50 14.09 -0.55

193a 4.10 13.60 14.18 -0.10

194a 4.39 13.60 14.22 0.12

196a 3.87 13.25 13.78 -2.10


OUTLIERS - - 2 2 -

AVERAGE - 4.18 13.60 14.20 -


MEDIAN 13.60 14.20



UoM 0.03 0.04

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-1.00

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00Z-

SCO

RE

LABORATORY ID

QUICK ASH Z-SCORE TREND

of 23 COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -DECEMBER 2019

ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ISO VOLATILE MATTER (%)

LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 25.71 27.11 -0.99

6a 4.45 26.04 27.25 -0.63

8a 3.40 27.20 28.16 1.61

9a 4.30 26.70 27.90 0.97

10a 4.30 26.50 27.69 0.46

12a 5.10 25.40 26.77 -1.84

13a 4.20 26.50 27.66 0.38

15a 4.70 25.86 27.14 -0.92

18a 4.23 26.33 27.49 -0.03

21a 4.83 26.10 27.42 -0.20

22a 2.82 26.38 27.15 -0.90

23a 4.18 26.04 27.18 -0.82

24a 4.40 21.54 22.53 -12.35

26a 4.00 26.62 27.73 0.55

27a 4.08 26.23 27.35 -0.40

28a 3.78 26.10 27.13 -0.95

30a 4.51 26.14 27.37 -0.33

32a 4.40 26.50 27.72 0.53

33a 4.60 26.05 27.31 -0.50

35a 4.86 25.98 27.31 -0.50

36a 4.20 26.40 27.56 0.12

37a 4.70 26.10 27.39 -0.30

38a 4.33 27.30 28.54 2.55

39a 4.18 26.95 28.13 1.53

41a 3.50 26.20 27.15 -0.88

42a 4.12 26.05 27.17 -0.84

49a 4.13 26.03 27.15 -0.88

50a 4.22 27.63 28.85 3.32

58a 3.82 26.64 27.70 0.47

59a 4.16 26.57 27.72 0.54

60a 4.29 26.05 27.22 -0.72

61a 4.10 26.40 27.53 0.05

66a 4.20 25.70 26.83 -1.69

71a 3.20 26.70 27.58 0.19

72a 5.27 26.27 27.73 0.56

73a 4.37 26.94 28.17 1.65

74a 4.73 26.40 27.71 0.50

76a 3.70 26.00 27.00 -1.26

77a 5.00 31.20 32.84 13.23

78a 1.29 26.96 27.31 -0.48

79a 4.66 25.76 27.02 -1.21

80a 5.00 26.10 27.47 -0.08

82a 4.60 26.43 27.70 0.49

83a 4.60 26.60 27.88 0.93

88a 4.75 26.13 27.43 -0.20

91a 3.40 27.00 27.95 1.10

92a 4.83 23.59 24.79 -6.74

94a 4.95 27.10 28.51 2.49

95a 4.30 26.30 27.48 -0.06

96a 4.87 25.99 27.32 -0.46

97a 3.19 26.61 27.49 -0.05

98a 2.50 28.46 29.19 4.17

99a 4.30 26.10 27.27 -0.58

100a 4.58 26.24 27.50 -0.02

101a 4.53 26.30 27.55 0.10

102a 3.80 26.20 27.23 -0.67

105a 3.60 27.00 28.01 1.24

106a 4.54 27.32 28.62 2.76

108a 4.29 26.05 27.22 -0.72

109a 4.70 26.00 27.28 -0.56

110a 4.05 26.30 27.41 -0.24

112a 4.20 26.40 27.56 0.12

117a 4.70 25.75 27.02 -1.21

124a 3.62 25.79 26.76 -1.86

126a 4.06 27.02 28.16 1.63

130a 4.60 26.40 27.67 0.41

131a 3.68 27.04 28.07 1.40

132a 4.36 26.43 27.63 0.32

133a 3.20 28.28 29.21 4.22

135a 4.86 25.53 26.83 -1.69

136a 4.02 26.54 27.65 0.36

137a 4.20 26.65 27.82 0.77

140a 4.27 26.29 27.46 -0.11

143a 3.76 26.47 27.50 -0.01

145a 5.12 26.10 27.51 0.00

147a 4.60 26.13 27.39 -0.29

151a 5.00 25.77 27.13 -0.94

161a 4.00 26.60 27.71 0.50

162a 4.57 26.15 27.40 -0.26

166a 4.55 25.80 27.03 -1.18

167a 3.90 26.60 27.68 0.43

168a 3.22 26.39 27.27 -0.59

169a 4.14 26.30 27.44 -0.18

170a 4.20 26.30 27.45 -0.13

173a 18.09 27.28 33.30 14.38

180a 4.53 26.80 28.07 1.40

181a 4.20 26.30 27.45 -0.13

182a 3.64 26.00 26.98 -1.30

183a 3.90 26.23 27.29 -0.53

184a 4.10 26.50 27.63 0.31

187a 3.78 27.10 28.16 1.63

188a 3.88 27.13 28.22 1.77

189a 4.29 26.44 27.63 0.29

190a 4.20 26.20 27.35 -0.39

191a 4.20 26.40 27.56 0.12

192a 4.20 25.90 27.04 -1.17

193a 4.10 26.30 27.42 -0.20

194a 4.38 26.49 27.70 0.49

195a 4.45 26.57 27.81 0.74

196a 3.87 27.18 28.27 1.90

197a 4.43 25.98 27.18 -0.80

200a 3.89 25.47 26.50 -2.49

NUMBER OF RESULTS - 102 102 102 -

OUTLIERS - - 5 7 -

AVERAGE - 4.34 26.37 27.51 -

STD DEVIATION - 0.44 0.40 -

MEDIAN 26.30 27.47



UoM - - 0.06 0.06 -

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-3.00

-2.00

-1.00

0.00

1.00

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3.00

92a

200a

124a

12a

66a

135a

182a

76a

79a

117a

166a

192a

1a 28a

151a

15a

22a

41a

49a

42a

23a

197a

108a

60a

102a

6a 168a

99a

109a

183a

33a

35a

78a

96a

27a

190a

30a

37a

147a

162a

110a

193a

21a

88a

169a

170a

181a

140a

80a

95a

97a

18a

100a

143a

145a

61a

101a

112a

191a

36a

71a

189a

184a

132a

136a

13a

130a

167a

10a

58a

194a

82a

161a

74a

32a

59a

26a

72a

195a

137a

83a

9a 91a

105a

180a

131a

39a

8a 126a

187a

73a

188a

196a

94a

38a

106a

50a

98a

133a

77a

173aZ-SC

OR

E

LABORATORY ID

VOLATILE MATTER Z-SCORE TREND

of 23 COAL CONCEPTS - PROFICIENCY TESTING -DECEMBER 2019

ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : CALORIFIC VALUE (MJ/kg)

LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (MJ/kg) DRY BASE (MJ/kg) Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 26.32 27.75 0.51

6a 4.45 26.57 27.81 0.79

8a 3.40 26.75 27.69 0.21

9a 4.30 26.47 27.66 0.05

10a 4.30 26.40 27.59 -0.32

12a 5.10 26.32 27.73 0.42

18a 4.23 26.38 27.55 -0.52

21a 4.83 26.25 27.58 -0.34

23a 4.18 26.41 27.56 -0.44

24a 4.40 26.48 27.70 0.23

27a 4.08 26.34 27.46 -0.95

28a 3.78 26.53 27.57 -0.39

30a 4.51 26.48 27.73 0.40

32a 4.40 26.37 27.58 -0.33

33a 4.60 26.32 27.59 -0.30

35a 4.86 26.41 27.76 0.55

36a 4.20 26.37 27.53 -0.62

37a 4.70 26.41 27.71 0.31

38a 4.33 27.83 29.09 7.20

39a 4.18 26.54 27.70 0.24

42a 4.12 26.36 27.49 -0.79

43a 4.34 26.50 27.70 0.26

49a 4.13 26.59 27.74 0.43

50a 4.22 26.28 27.44 -1.06

58a 3.82 26.56 27.61 -0.17

60a 4.29 26.46 27.65 0.0

61a 4.10 26.83 27.98 1.64

66a 4.20 26.34 27.49 -0.78

71a 3.20 26.51 27.39 -1.32

72a 5.27 26.48 27.95 1.52

73a 4.37 26.65 27.87 1.09

74a 4.73 26.57 27.89 1.20

76a 3.70 26.72 27.75 0.48

77a 5.00 26.04 27.41 -1.20

79a 4.66 26.39 27.68 0.15

80a 5.00 25.85 27.21 -2.20

82a 4.60 26.18 27.44 -1.06

83a 4.60 26.44 27.71 0.33

84a 5.51 26.05 27.57 -0.40

88a 4.75 26.41 27.73 0.40

91a 3.40 26.88 27.83 0.88

92a 4.83 26.30 27.63 -0.08

94a 4.95 26.07 27.42 -1.14

95a 4.30 26.94 28.15 2.50

96a 4.87 26.18 27.52 -0.65

97a 3.19 26.73 27.61 -0.20

98a 2.50 26.77 27.46 -0.97

99a 4.30 26.47 27.66 0.05

100a 4.58 26.27 27.53 -0.59

101a 4.53 26.23 27.47 -0.88

102a 3.80 26.25 27.29 -1.81

105a 3.60 26.64 27.63 -0.07

106a 4.54 26.34 27.59 -0.30

108a 4.29 26.40 27.58 -0.33

109a 4.70 26.39 27.69 0.21

110a 4.05 26.44 27.56 -0.47

112a 4.20 26.32 27.47 -0.88

117a 4.70 26.50 27.81 0.79

124a 3.62 26.68 27.68 0.16

126a 4.06 26.51 27.63 -0.09

130a 4.60 26.49 27.77 0.59

131a 3.68 26.57 27.59 -0.32

132a 4.36 27.31 28.55 4.53

133a 3.20 27.56 28.47 4.09

135a 4.86 26.51 27.86 1.04

136a 4.02 26.37 27.47 -0.88

137a 4.20 27.13 28.32 3.35

140a 4.27 26.70 27.89 1.21

143a 3.76 26.55 27.59 -0.31

145a 5.12 26.61 28.05 1.98

147a 4.60 26.30 27.57 -0.41

151a 5.00 26.39 27.78 0.65

153a 4.34 26.38 27.58 -0.36

160a 4.34 26.88 28.10 2.25

161a 4.00 26.53 27.64 -0.07

162a 4.57 25.83 27.07 -2.91

163a 4.30 26.65 27.85 0.99

164a 4.34 26.50 27.70 0.26

167a 3.90 26.68 27.76 0.56

168a 3.22 26.82 27.71 0.31

169a 4.14 26.35 27.49 -0.81

170a 4.20 26.48 27.64 -0.04

171a 2.58 27.10 27.82 0.84

172a 4.71 25.97 27.25 -1.98

176a 4.10 26.63 27.77 0.59

177a 3.17 26.69 27.56 -0.43

180a 4.53 27.53 28.83 5.91

181a 4.20 26.77 27.94 1.47

182a 3.64 26.17 27.16 -2.46

183a 3.90 27.97 29.11 7.28

184a 4.10 26.63 27.77 0.59

187a 3.78 26.46 27.50 -0.77

188a 3.88 27.43 28.54 4.44

189a 4.29 26.70 27.90 1.24

190a 4.20 26.51 27.67 0.11

191a 4.20 26.45 27.61 -0.20

192a 4.20 26.56 27.72 0.37

193a 4.10 26.53 27.66 0.07

194a 4.38 26.69 27.91 1.31

195a 4.45 26.38 27.61 -0.21

196a 3.87 26.47 27.54 -0.57

197a 4.43 26.14 27.35 -1.49

200a 3.89 26.63 27.71 0.29

NUMBER OF RESULTS - 103 103 103 -

OUTLIERS - - 6 6 -

AVERAGE - 4.25 26.47 27.65 -


MEDIAN 26.47 27.64



UoM - - 0.03 0.03 -

of 23

-3.00

-2.00

-1.00

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

162a

182a

80a

172a

102a

197a

71a

77a

94a

82a

50a

98a

27a

112a

136a

101a

169a

42a

66a

187a

96a

36a

100a

196a

18a

110a

23a

177a

147a

84a

28a

153a

21a

108a

32a

131a

10a

143a

33a

106a

195a

191a

97a

58a

126a

92a

105a

161a

170a

60a

9a 99a

193a

190a

79a

124a

109a

8a 24a

39a

43a

164a

200a

168a

37a

83a

192a

88a

30a

12a

49a

76a

1a 35a

167a

130a

176a

184a

151a

117a

6a 171a

91a

163a

135a

73a

74a

140a

189a

194a

181a

72a

61a

145a

160a

95a

137a

133a

188a

132a

180a

38a

183aZ-SC

OR

E

LABORATORY ID

CALORIFIC VALUE Z-SCORE TREND

of 23


ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : TOTAL SULPHUR (%)

LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 0.43 0.45 -0.49

6a 4.45 0.43 0.45 -0.56

9a 4.30 0.41 0.43 -1.04

10a 4.30 0.43 0.45 -0.58

12a 5.10 0.41 0.43 -0.96

13a 4.20 0.47 0.49 0.34

15a 4.70 0.42 0.44 -0.77

18a 4.23 0.54 0.56 1.96

21a 4.83 0.53 0.56 1.80

23a 4.18 0.47 0.49 0.33

24a 4.40 0.41 0.43 -1.03

26a 4.00 0.47 0.49 0.31

27a 4.08 0.41 0.43 -1.06

28a 3.78 0.54 0.56 1.90

30a 4.51 0.37 0.38 -2.06

32a 4.40 0.44 0.46 -0.33

35a 4.86 0.42 0.44 -0.75

36a 4.20 0.47 0.49 0.34

37a 4.70 0.46 0.48 0.00

38a 4.33 0.48 0.50 0.58

39a 4.18 0.50 0.52 1.03

42a 4.12 0.42 0.44 -0.83

49a 4.13 0.44 0.46 -0.36

50a 4.22 0.44 0.46 -0.35

58a 3.82 0.48 0.50 0.52

60a 4.29 0.41 0.43 -1.04

61a 4.10 0.46 0.48 0.09

66a 4.20 0.47 0.49 0.34

71a 3.20 0.88 0.91 9.59

72a 5.27 0.44 0.46 -0.24

74a 4.73 0.53 0.56 1.79

76a 3.70 0.45 0.47 -0.18

78a 1.29 0.42 0.43 -1.10

79a 4.66 0.35 0.37 -2.39

80a 5.00 0.43 0.45 -0.50

83a 4.60 0.46 0.48 0.00

88a 4.75 0.35 0.37 -2.39

91a 3.40 0.47 0.49 0.25

95a 4.30 0.46 0.48 0.00

97a 3.19 0.41 0.42 -1.15

99a 4.30 0.43 0.45 -0.58

101a 4.53 0.45 0.47 -0.09

106a 4.54 0.50 0.52 1.07

108a 4.29 0.40 0.42 -1.27

109a 4.70 0.40 0.42 -1.23

110a 4.05 0.46 0.48 0.00

112a 4.20 0.45 0.47 -0.12

126a 4.06 0.53 0.55 1.70

130a 4.60 0.49 0.51 0.85

131a 3.68 0.46 0.48 0.00

132a 4.36 0.48 0.50 0.59

133a 3.20 0.79 0.82 7.53

135a 4.86 0.47 0.49 0.41

136a 4.02 0.49 0.51 0.78

137a 4.20 0.50 0.52 1.03

140a 4.27 0.44 0.46 -0.35

143a 3.76 0.45 0.47 -0.17

145a 5.12 0.43 0.45 -0.49

151a 5.00 0.49 0.52 0.89

161a 4.00 0.44 0.46 -0.38

162a 4.57 0.55 0.58 2.23

167a 3.90 0.47 0.49 0.30

168a 3.22 0.52 0.54 1.37

169a 4.14 0.43 0.45 -0.59

172a 4.71 0.56 0.59 2.48

173a 18.09 0.42 0.51 0.83

177a 3.17 1.01 1.04 12.55

180a 4.53 0.49 0.51 0.84

181a 4.20 0.47 0.49 0.34

183a 3.90 0.50 0.52 0.99

184a 4.10 0.46 0.48 0.00

187a 3.78 0.80 0.83 7.87

188a 3.88 0.45 0.47 -0.16

189a 4.29 0.48 0.50 0.58

190a 4.20 0.42 0.44 -0.82

191a 4.20 0.46 0.48 0.00

192a 4.20 0.39 0.41 -1.51

193a 4.10 0.41 0.43 -1.06

194a 4.38 0.46 0.48 0.00

196a 3.87 0.42 0.44 -0.85

200a 3.89 0.46 0.48 0.0

NUMBER OF RESULTS 81 81 81 -

OUTLIERS - - 4 4 -

AVERAGE - 4.39 0.45 0.48

MEDIAN - 0.46 0.48

STD DEVIATION - - 0.04 0.05



UoM - - 0.01 0.01

of 23

-3.00

-2.00

-1.00

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

79a

88a

30a

192a

108a

109a

97a

78a

27a

193a

60a

9a 24a

12a

196a

42a

190a

15a

35a

169a

10a

99a

6a 80a

145a

1a 161a

49a

50a

140a

32a

72a

76a

143a

188a

112a

101a

37a

83a

95a

110a

131a

184a

191a

194a

200a

61a

91a

167a

26a

23a

13a

36a

66a

181a

135a

58a

189a

38a

132a

136a

173a

180a

130a

151a

183a

39a

137a

106a

168a

126a

74a

21a

28a

18a

162a

172a

133a

187a

71a

177aZ-

SCO

RE

LABORATORY ID

TOTAL SULPHUR Z-SCORE TREND

of 23

-3.00

-2.00

-1.00

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

38a 9a 74a 21a 78a 23a 169a 114a 12a 18a 26a 112a 13a 99a 1a 109a 24a 172a 177a 173a

Z-SC

OR

ES

LAB ID

PHOSPHOROUS IN COAL Z-SCORES


ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : PHOSPHOROUS IN COAL (%)

LAB ID

MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE

Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 0.140 0.148 0.41

9a 4.30 0.097 0.101 -0.80

12a 5.10 0.127 0.134 0.05

13a 4.20 0.139 0.145 0.34

18a 4.23 0.129 0.135 0.07

21a 4.83 0.098 0.103 -0.75

23a 4.18 0.108 0.113 -0.50

24a 4.40 0.150 0.156 0.63

26a 4.00 0.130 0.135 0.08

38a 4.33 0.083 0.086 -1.18

74a 4.73 0.098 0.103 -0.75

78a 1.29 0.111 0.112 -0.50

99a 4.30 0.140 0.146 0.37

109a 4.70 0.144 0.151 0.50

112a 4.20 0.134 0.140 0.21

114a 4.34 0.118 0.123 -0.22

169a 4.14 0.113 0.118 -0.36

172a 4.71 0.164 0.172 1.04

173a 18.09 1.034 1.262 29.25

177a 3.17 0.179 0.185 1.37


OUTLIERS - - 1 1 -

AVERAGE - 4.92 0.126 0.132 -

STD DEVIATION - - 0.037 0.039 -

MEDIAN - 0.129 0.135

ROBUST AVERAGE - - 0.126 0.131

ROBUST STD DEVIATION - - 0.025 0.027

UoM - - 0.007 0.008

of 23


ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : TOTAL CARBON (%)

LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY DRY BASE

Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 66.22 69.82 -0.57

9a 4.30 48.63 50.82 -17.42

12a 5.10 66.14 69.69 -0.68

18a** 4.23 66.39 69.32 -1.01

21a** 4.83 69.40 72.92 2.18

42a 4.12 67.88 70.80 0.30

49a 4.13 67.80 70.72 0.23

88a 4.75 67.40 70.76 0.26

99a 4.30 67.10 70.11 -0.31

108a 4.29 66.60 69.59 -0.78

109a 4.70 66.30 69.57 -0.79

145a** 5.12 68.60 72.30 1.63

173a 18.09 70.40 85.95 13.74

177a 3.17 67.70 69.92 -0.48


OUTLIERS - - 1 2 -

AVERAGE - 5.45 67.53 70.46 -

MEDIAN - - 67.40 70.02 -




UoM - - 0.53 0.46

REPRODUCIBILITY

UPPER LIMIT - - - 71.46 -

LOWER LIMIT - - - 69.46 -


ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : HYDROGEN (%)


Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 3.72 3.92 -0.02

9a 4.30 3.67 3.83 -0.40

12a 5.10 4.24 4.47 2.35

18a 4.23 3.77 3.94 0.04

21a 4.83 3.64 3.82 -0.4

36a** 4.20 3.39 3.54 -1.69

42a 4.12 3.92 4.09 0.70

88a 4.75 3.54 3.71 -0.93

99a 4.30 3.83 4.00 0.33

108a 4.29 3.83 4.00 0.32

109a 4.70 3.84 4.03 0.4

177a 3.17 3.65 3.77 -0.69

Number of results 12 12 12

OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -

AVERAGE - 4.43 3.75 3.93 -

MEDIAN - 3.75 3.93 -




UoM - - 0.06 0.06

REPRODUCIBILITY

UPPER LIMIT - - 4.18 -



ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : NITROGEN(%)


Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 1.61 1.70 0.04

9a 4.30 1.73 1.81 1.67

12a 5.10 1.54 1.62 -1.07

18a 4.23 1.64 1.71 0.26

42a 4.12 1.67 1.74 0.70

88a 4.75 1.49 1.56 0.0

99a 4.30 1.64 1.71 0.28

108a 4.29 1.63 1.70 0.12

109a 4.70 1.65 1.73 0.00

177a 3.17 1.60 1.65 -0.63

Number of results 10 10 10 -

OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -

AVERAGE - 4.41 1.62 1.69 -

MEDIAN - 1.64 1.71 -




UoM - - 0.03 0.03

REPRODUCIBILITY

UPPER LIMIT - - - 1.84 -


of 23


ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ASH FUSION TEMPERATURES (oC)

LAB ID DEFORMATION SOFTENING HEMISPHERE FLOW

1a 1500 1500 1500 1500

9a 1440 1450 1460 1480

10a 1500 1500 1500 1500

18a 1500 1500 1500 1500

21a 1445 1465 1475 1500

23a 1433 1473 1490 1498

28a 1398 1429 1475 1500

38a 1450 1460 1470 1480

60a 1500 1500 1500 1500

80a 1420 1440 1500 1500

99a 1500 1500 1500 1500

108a 1500 1500 1500 1500

109a 1500 1500 1500 1500

131a 1500 1500 1500 1500

151a 1400 1450 1500 1500

Number of results 15 15 15 15

Outliers 0 0 4 2

AVERAGE 1466 1478 1491 1497

MEDIAN 1500 1500 1500 1500

STDEV 40 26 14 7

REPRODUCIBILITY

UPPER LIMIT 1500 1500 1500 1500

LOWER LIMIT 1386 1418 1431 1480

Z-SCORES

LAB ID DEFORMATION SOFTENING HEMISPHERE FLOW

1a 0.85 0.84 0.62 0.40

9a -0.64 -1.05 -2.25 -2.46

10a 0.85 0.84 0.62 0.40

18a 0.85 0.84 0.62 0.40

21a -0.51 -0.48 -1.17 0.40

23a -0.81 -0.18 -0.10 0.11

28a -1.68 -1.84 -1.17 0.40

38a -0.39 -0.67 -1.53 -2.46

60a 0.85 0.84 0.62 0.40

80a -1.13 -1.43 0.62 0.40

99a 0.85 0.84 0.62 0.40

108a 0.85 0.84 0.62 0.40

109a 0.85 0.84 0.62 0.40

131a 0.85 0.84 0.62 0.40

151a -1.63 -1.05 0.62 0.40

of 23


ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ASTM ASH (%)

LAB ID MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%)

Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 13.67 14.41 -0.71

108a 4.29 13.80 14.42 -0.56

109a 4.70 13.80 14.48 1.46

172a 4.71 13.75 14.43 -0.20


OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -

AVERAGE - 4.72 13.76 14.44 -


MEDIAN - - 13.78 14.42 -


ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : ASTM VOLS (%)

LAB ID

MOISTURE IN ANALYSIS SAMPLE (%) AIR DRY (%) DRY BASE (%)

Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

1a 5.16 26.06 27.48 0.02

108a 4.29 27.07 28.28 0.83

109a 4.70 26.70 28.02 0.56

172a 4.71 24.81 26.04 -1.41


OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -

AVERAGE - 4.72 26.16 27.45 -


MEDIAN - - 26.38 27.75 -


ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : CHLORINE (ppm)

LAB ID


Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

12a 5.10 110 116 5.44

108a 4.29 48 50 0.81

109a 4.70 41 43 0.31

177a 3.17 22 23 -1.12


OUTLIERS - - 1 1 -

AVERAGE - 4.32 37 39 -

STD DEVIATION - - 13 14 -

MEDIAN - - 41 43 -


ANALYTICAL PARAMETER : FLUORINE (ppm)

LAB ID


Z-SCORE (DRY BASE)

12a 5.10 120 126 -1.06

108a 4.29 212 222 0.35

109a 4.70 156 164 -0.51

177a 3.17 271 280 1.22


OUTLIERS - - 0 0 -

AVERAGE - 4.32 190 198 -

STD DEVIATION - - 66 67 -

MEDIAN - - 184 193 -

of 23

CONCLUSION

1. The overall ISO Ash determination trend had an almost even z-score trend. The average, robust average and median were similar. Four outliers were detected.

2. The overall ISO volatile determination trend was evenly distributed. Seven outliers were detected. The

outliers seemed to be due to a combination of analytical and calculation errors.

3. Calorific value graph indicated an even z-score trend. Six outliers were detected. These seemed to be due to

analytical errors

4. The z-score trend for sulphur analysis was evenly distributed. The median, robust average and mean were

the same, at 0.48%. Four outliers were detected by Grubbs. The outliers seemed to be swopped samples or

analytical errors.

5. One outlier was detected on phosphorous analysis. The median, robust average and mean compared well with each other indicating that the extreme values did not affect the centralized values.

6. Carbon analysis was poorly carried out. There were two outliers and three results out of reproducibility. Hydrogen and Nitrogen was acceptable with low robust standard deviations of 0.18 and 0.07 respectively

7. AFT: There were no outliers and generally well done

8. Assessment criterion for homogeneity check (From ISO 13528, page 45)

8.1 Comparison of the between sample standard deviation with the standard deviation for proficiency testing Standard deviation for ISO ash =0.11 Check value = 0.11 x 0.3 = 0.033

Between sample standard deviation = 0.022 The between sample standard deviation is less than the check value for the criterion assessment for

homogeneity hence homogeneity has been confirmed

of 23

COAL CONCEPTS: Terms and Conditions

Return of results: Laboratories participate in proficiency testing programs on the understanding that they will be sharing their results and information anonymously with other laboratories performing the same analysis. No return of results compromises the spirit of the programs, and reports will not be sent to laboratories unless they return results. Payment in full is required from all laboratories enrolling whether they return results or not. Errors in Participant Proficiency Testing Results: Proficiency testing reports should reflect the level of accuracy that a regular testing client would receive. If a participant finds an error in their proficiency testing results, they may notify us in writing and change their submission PRIOR to the due date for return. Changes after this time will not be accepted. Coal Concepts’ reports results as submitted by participants. 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Late Enrolments and Late Results: Late enrolment requests cannot always be accommodated, as sample manufacture must be scheduled well in advance to the shipping date of the program to allow all necessary quality assurance activities to be carried out. Shipping of PT materials and evaluating test results from PTPs out of cycle with the mainstream programs is considerably time consuming and therefore costly. In order not to disadvantage participants able to comply with time frames, Coal Concepts may charge a late fee in the following circumstances: Requests that Coal concepts staff enters results on behalf of participants Requests to record results after the due date Requests for PTP participation that is out of cycle with the scheduled dates Shipping fees and Customs clearance: Costs incurred for shipping samples and clearance of same through customs are the responsibility of the participating laboratory unless otherwise indicated Non-payment of fees: Coal Concepts retains the right to withhold reports and/or test materials and services when invoices are outstanding. Confidentiality of results: All data and information received by Coal Concepts from its clients are considered confidential unless the client has given express permission to pass on information. Definitions: The dictionary definitions of “collusion” and “falsification” are as follows. · Collusion: A secret agreement or cooperation for a fraudulent or deceitful purpose. · Falsification: Deliberately changing something to be false. In proficiency testing terms, collusion is comparing data (and perhaps changing data) to fit in with a believed “correct” result. This is contrary to the spirit of proficiency testing programs, which are issued with the intention of providing an objective comparison of a laboratory’s performance with others. Coal Concepts tries to minimise the occurrence of collusion by being aware that laboratories should be objective when they report their results, and should therefore not know the intended results at the time they are reporting to us. Answers are not provided to clients until results have been submitted. To prevent collusion and falsification our advice to clients is: DON’T confer with others about PT samples or results. DO accept the fact that everyone makes errors. DON’T average the results or opinions of every person in the laboratory before selecting the answer to be submitted. Instead, use one of the answers AS SUBMITTED to you and take advantage of the Coal Concepts internal QA services and submit all answers generated by the technicians. DO have confidence in your own results. Proficiency Testing (PT) is a compulsory part of laboratory accreditation, but it is also an important tool for giving you confidence in your results. “Enhancing” your PT results with assistance from another participant cannot increase confidence in your laboratory’s performance. Coal concepts’ testing staff are not told what the expected results are, nor what we are expecting. We subject ALL results to analysis, even if they are different. The staff have the right to check that the results we enter on their behalf are correctly transcribed. Clients are always welcome to contact Coal Concepts to seek advice or information about collusion or falsification of data. Policy for Participant Appeal of PT Performance Assessment: If participants disagree with their performance assessment in a proficiency report, they should inform Coal Concepts in writing. The response will include Coal Concepts interpretation of the outcome of the reassessment and an explanation of that outcome. (For example, explanation of a calculation, or the rationale for the outcome of the evaluation.) If a mistake has been made by Coal Concepts, it will be dealt with via Coal Concepts’ non-conformance system. Liability In no event shall a party's liability to the other party for direct damages exceed an amount equal to the value of the amount for the PT Programme, under that specific month End of report

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