PIC-101-01: Food spirits / Static tank / Foodstuffs, liquid, low viscosity

• Dipping Vessel (L02-01)
• Bucket
• Funnel
• Sample Containers G01, M01, M02

See SDS.

• Pay attention to safety and warning signs.
• Wear personal protective equipment.
• You should be aware of, and follow any health and safety instructions in the local risk assessment and/or safe working practices for the location where the sampling is to take place.
• Any working activity that exposes workers to the risk of falling from a height in relation to a stable floor is considered work at height. Training must be given and adequate protective equipment supplied.
• Ladders, steps, platforms and handrails must be kept in a structurally safe condition and regularly inspected by competent personnel.
• Do not take samples during stormy weather with electrical discharges or hail.
• Before sampling the operator must earth any accumulated static charge on himself by touching some part of the structure of the tank at least 1 metre from the sampling place.
• All equipment needed for sampling should be transported appropriately. An appropriate bag or container should be used to carry the samples in order to have a hand free.
• Do not overfill the sample container and leave at least a 10 % empty space to allow for thermal expansion of the product. This must be done immediately the sample is taken.
• If the sampling requires you to enter the space at the top of a tank, at least two people equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment should be present.
• Floating roof tanks. Where possible always sample these from the gantry or access platform above the roof as toxic or flammable vapours may accumulate in the roof space. If it is necessary to go on the roof, there must be at least two people wearing appropriate respiratory protection unless it is proved that the atmosphere above the roof is safe.
• Always sample with adequate lighting.

Personal protective equipment:

• Hand protection: made of material impermeable to ethanol, such as gloves and gauntlets made of butyl or nitril rubber.
• Eye protection: safety goggles, masks or a face shield (if necessary).
• Respiratory protection: with appropriate filter for organic vapours.
• Foot protection: anti-static and non-slip boots.
• Body protection: safety clothing made of cotton, linen or wool material (not synthetic fibres), flame-retardant and anti-static.
• Safety helmets, ear protectors and a safety harness: if necessary.

One aggregate sample: from three incremental samples taken at different heights of the large static tank: approximately 15 % from the bottom, half-way up and approx. 15 % from the top surface of the product in the tank. The sample is considered homogenous — if the homogeneity is in doubt, take more incremental samples. It is mandatory to measure the level of the top surface of the product by using a steel metric tape and a level paste on it, which after immersion, indicates the depth of the liquid in the container.

For determination of weight of the spirit contained in the tank, it is also important to measure the temperature of the liquid using a depth thermometer, in order to make the appropriate correction to take account of the expansion/contraction of the liquid with temperature.

Alternatively a running sample can be drawn when the product is being moved by pipe from the storage tank. Sample can be placed directly in the sample container.