Sampling.
TANK CARS.
1. Sampling While Loading—Sample shall be taken at discharge of pipe where it enters tank car dome. The total sample taken shall be not less than 50 lbs. and shall be a composite of small samples of about 1 pound each, taken at regular intervals during the entire period of loading.
The sample thus obtained is thoroughly mixed and uniform 3-lb. portions placed in air-tight 3-lb. metal containers. At least three such samples shall be put up, one for the buyer, one for the seller, and the third to be sent to a referee chemist in case of dispute. All samples are to be promptly and correctly labeled and sealed.
2. Sampling from Car on Track[23]—(a) When contents are solid.[24] In this case the sample is taken by means of a large tryer measuring about 2 in. across and about 1-1/2 times the depth of the car in length. Several tryerfuls are taken vertically and obliquely toward the ends of the car until 50 lbs. are accumulated, when the sample is softened, mixed and handled as under (1). In case the contents of the tank car have assumed a very hard condition, as in Winter weather, so that it is impossible to insert the tryer, and it becomes necessary to soften the contents of the car by means of the closed steam coil (in nearly all tank cars the closed steam coil leaks) or by means of open steam in order to draw a proper sample, suitable arrangements must be made between buyer and seller for the sampling of the car after it is sufficiently softened, due consideration being given to the possible presence of water in the material in the car as received and also to the possible addition of water during the steaming. The Committee knows of no direct method for sampling a hard-frozen tank car of tallow in a satisfactory manner.
(b) When contents are liquid. The sample taken is to be a 50-lb. composite made up of numerous small samples taken from the top, bottom and intermediate points by means of a bottle or metal container with removable stopper or top. This device attached to a suitable pole is lowered to the various desired depths, when the stopper or top is removed and the container allowed to fill. The 50-lb. sample thus obtained is handled as under (1).
In place of the device described above, any sampler capable of taking a sample from the top, bottom, and center, or from a section through car, may be used.
(c) When contents are in semi-solid condition, or when stearine has separated from liquid portions. In this case, a combination of (a) and (b) may be used or by agreement of the parties the whole may be melted and procedure (b) followed.
BARRELS, TIERCES, CASKS, DRUMS, AND OTHER PACKAGES.
All packages shall be sampled, unless by special agreement the parties arrange to sample a lesser number; but in any case not less than 10 per cent of the total number shall be sampled. The total sample taken shall be at least 20 lbs. in weight for each 100 barrels, or equivalent.
1. Barrels, Tierces and Casks—(a) When contents are solid. The small samples shall be taken by a tryer through the bunghole or through a special hole bored in the head or side for the purpose, with a 1-in. or larger auger. Care should be taken to avoid and eliminate all borings and chips from the sample. The tryer is inserted in such a way as to reach the head of the barrel, tierce, or cask. The large sample is softened, mixed and handled according to tank cars (1).
(b) When contents are liquid. In this case use is made of a glass tube with constricted lower end. This is inserted slowly and allowed to fill with the liquid, when the upper end is closed and the tube withdrawn, the contents being allowed to drain into the sample container. After the entire sample is taken it is thoroughly mixed and handled according to tank cars (1).
(c) When contents are semi-solid. In this case the tryer or a glass tube with larger outlet is used, depending on the degree of fluidity.
(d) Very hard materials, such as natural and artificial stearines. By preference the barrels are stripped and samples obtained by breaking up contents of at least 10 per cent of the packages. This procedure is to be followed also in the case of cakes shipped in sacks. When shipped in the form of small pieces in sacks they can be sampled by grab sampling and quartering. In all cases the final procedure is as outlined under tank cars (1).
2. Drums—Samples are to be taken as under (1), use being made of the bunghole. The tryer or tube should be sufficiently long to reach to the ends of the drum.
3. Other Packages—Tubs, pails and other small packages not mentioned above are to be sampled by tryer or tube (depending on fluidity) as outlined above, the tryer or tube being inserted diagonally whenever possible.
4. Mixed Lots and Packages—When lots of tallow or other fats are received in packages of various shapes and sizes, and especially wherein the fat itself is of variable composition, such must be left to the judgment of the sampler. If variable, the contents of each package should be mixed as thoroughly as possible and the amount of the individual samples taken made proportional to the sizes of the packages.