INADCO Systems, Eersel, the Netherlands, has recently developed an automatic sampler which incorporates several design features of its Densimeter – a machine which has a track record of success in the potting compost industry dating back 16 years. With the new sampler a rotating shovel collects a small sample from a vertical product stream and brings this to a weighing collecting cylinder. The interval time to collect the subsamples and the end weight of the total collected sample can be pre-programmed by the user. When the end weight is reached the sampling stops, the weighing cylinder opens at its base to discharge the collected sample into a bin or similar receptacle for later analysis. Sampling will then restart automatically. 

 

The INADCO sampler can be extended by means of a moving chute so that multiple bins can be used for storing the collected samples in sequence, in the event that there is insufficient time to process a sample immediately while another batch may have already begun. The sampler can be used for basically any bulk material, ranging from fine to coarse, and including sand, rice, biomass, peat, clay and even French fries. In its basic form it simply collects the sample in accordance with the selected parameters. A data connection facility is optionally available with a process computer for transferring data such as time, date and weight. The control system incorporates a Siemens S7 PLC, thus allowing multiple possibilities for customisation. INADCO is also a leading specialist in the field of moisture measurement. www.inadco.nl 

 

 

The INADCO sampler in its basic form and (below) fitted with chute