This Standard sets out a method for the determination of the moisture-holding capacity of higher rank coal (i.e. coals, as defined in AS 2096, having a gross specific energy of 21.00 MJ/kg or greater on an ash-free, moist basis and having a gross specific energy of 27.00 MJ/kg or greater on a dry, ash-free basis).

NOTE: The full moisture-holding capacity is that of the solid in equilibrium with an atmosphere saturated with moisture vapour, but as there are insuperable experimental difficulties in working with such atmospheres, a slightly lower humidity (96 percent) has been adopted as the standard one.