What happens to the potential for obtaining segregated material when sampling from the beginning or final few tons of a conveyor belt?

Sampling from the beginning or final few tons of a conveyor belt can lead to an increased potential for obtaining segregated material. During the operation of a conveyor system, materials can become segregated due to differences in size, shape, or density. This segregation typically occurs because finer particles may be carried along more easily, while larger or heavier particles can settle or group together differently throughout the process.

When sampling from the beginning of the conveyor, the material that is first delivered may not be a true representation of the entire batch because it could contain a higher concentration of larger particles or debris that have settled at the start of the conveyor. Conversely, sampling from the very end can produce a mixture that is not representative of the initial material processed, as it might contain sediment or the last remnants of the feed material, which can be different in composition.

Thus, by taking samples from these points, there is a greater likelihood of encountering a non-homogeneous mixture, leading to the conclusion that the potential for obtaining segregated material increases significantly.