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SAM-204

Wax
Sampling

Goods
Definition Waxy products which are highly viscous pastes or solids, such as vaseline, paraffin wax, microcrystalline petroleum wax, bees wax or bitumen.

Wax
Recommended minimum quantity for each sample 0.25 kg.
EN/ISO standards and regulations specific to wax
  • EN ISO 3170 Petroleum liquids — Manual sampling.
  • EN ISO 3171 Petroleum liquids — Automatic pipeline sampling.

Legislation (technical standards or specifications): please refer to your national legislation and national guidelines regarding sampling.


Equipment needed
Suggested sampling tool depending on the method used
  • Piston-tube sampler (L05-01)
  • Spiral sampler (S04-01)
  • Hand–drill sampler (E02-01)
  • (Metal) spatula.
Containers to be used for the sampling
  • Metal containers (M01)
  • Glass bottles (G01)
  • Polypropylene plastic bottles (P03 or P04)
Safety precautions and risk assessment Please refer to your national legislation and guidelines on health and safety. See MSDS or ADR if available.

  • Wear protective gloves and safety glasses.
  • Pay attention to safety signs.
  • The sampling officers 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.
  • Wax may be presented in the form of a (fine) powder. In order not to breathe the fine dust, wear a suitable dust mask.
  • Under normal conditions of use, wax does not present particular health hazards except when heated. Waxes that are solid at ambient temperatures may be transported at raised temperatures (beware of temperatures of 50–70 °C) to facilitate loading or unloading from tanks. There is a risk of skin burns and eye damage if boiling spray comes into contact with the mucous membranes or the eyes.
  • Should the hot product come into contact with the skin, the affected area should be immersed in or irrigated with abundant cold water to dissipate the heat. Then cover the tissue with cotton wool or gauze and obtain medical assistance immediately.
  • Do not attempt to remove hot product from the skin or remove clothing that is stuck to the skin with the product.
  • If splashed with boiling product, wash immediately with abundant cold water to relieve the burning and obtain medical assistance immediately.
  • Low-risk flammable material. The product can form flammable mixtures and burn only if heated above its flash point. However, the presence of small quantities of more volatile hydrocarbons can increase this risk.
  • Typical properties: flash point > 200 °C, boiling point > 300 °C.
For general precautions, see EN ISO 3170.
  • Any working activity that exposes workers to the risk of falling from a height in relation to a stable floor is considered as ‘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.
  • 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.
  • The sampling containers should be filled to less than 90 % of their capacity.
  • 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.
  • Always sample with adequate lighting.
  • Any lighting or torches should be intrinsically safe.

Sampling plan
Type of consignment Description
Loose in tank, tank truck, reservoir wagon, drums, tank cars — heated One or more aggregate samples: from incremental samples (three or more) taken from at least three heights: approximately 15 % from the bottom, half-way up and approximately 15 % from the top surface of the product in each lot. Check the homogeneity of the lot — if the homogeneity is doubted, take several incremental samples. More aggregate samples may be created from containers containing different products or lots.

Loose in tank, tank truck, reservoir wagon, drums, tank cars — not heated (ambient temperature) One or more aggregate samples: if the product is in the form of a creamy paste or hard paste, take at least five incremental samples (one in the middle plus four at the midpoints between the centre and the apexes) in each lot. Check the homogeneity of the lot — if the homogeneity is doubted, take several incremental samples. More aggregate samples may be created from containers containing different products or lots.

Barrels, crates, small container — heated/not heated One or more aggregate samples: a suitable number of incremental samples (three or more) should be chosen entirely at random from the lot. Check the homogeneity of the lot — if the homogeneity is doubted, take several incremental samples. More aggregate samples may be created from containers containing different products or lots.

Bulk being moved with a conveyor or other flowing product during filling or emptying One aggregate sample: incremental samples are taken across the whole diameter of the stream, at intervals determined by the moving speed.

Detailed information
Sampling procedure
  • For bulk products in the liquid state at ambient temperatures: before sampling, draw off an appropriate quantity of product, which will be returned to the tank after the operation, to prime the sampling circuit and valve. If the tank has been unused for a long time, it is good practice to re-circulate the product before taking samples.
  • For bulk products in the solid state at ambient temperatures: where the product to bring it to the liquid state and then, after homogenising the consignment, proceed as described above.

    If the product cannot be heated and is in the form of a creamy paste, use a borer or sampling cup to take several samples at various positions and depths in the mass, to ensure that the sample is as representative as possible. After taking the samples from the mass, prepare the composite sample in a metal bucket by mixing vigorously with the metal spatula and pack the samples in metal cans or drums.

    If the product is in the form of a hard paste, use a borer to take several samples at various positions and depths in the mass, to ensure that the sample is as representative as possible. After taking the samples from the mass, prepare the composite sample in an appropriate bucket by breaking up and mixing the cores of product with the metal spatula and pack the samples in appropriate containers.
  • For heated products in the liquid state from a tank, tanker truck, reservoir wagon or insulated heated drums: take the sample from insulated heated taps outside the tank casing or, if there are none, using a wide-mouthed weighted metal bottle. Samples must be taken from at least three heights: approximately 15 % from the bottom, half-way up and approximately 15 % from the top surface of the product. After taking the samples from the various heights, quickly prepare the aggregate sample in an appropriate bucket by mixing vigorously and pack the samples in appropriate containers.
  • For products being moved by a conveyor or other flowing products during filling or emptying of a heated tank, tanker truck or reservoir wagon it is possible to take a sample by fitting the filling/emptying pipe with an accessory consisting of a heated tap drawing from about the centre of the backflow pipe. Several samples should be taken at regular intervals throughout the transfer process. After taking the samples, quickly prepare the composite sample in an appropriate metal bucket by mixing vigorously and pack the samples in appropriate containers.
  • Ensure that the product being sampled remains unaltered by the sampling process. Do NOT re-heat samples as this may affect the properties of the sample — loss of volatile elements or physical/chemical change due to over-heating.
Sampling form
  • Fill in the sampling form. One copy should be attached to the samples and one copy should be kept for the record.
Transport
  • Ambient temperature. If necessary keep refrigerated in accordance with the product labelling (casein, dextrins, modified starches, etc.).
Storage
  • Ambient temperature. If necessary keep refrigerated in accordance with the product labelling (casein, dextrins, modified starches, etc.). If chilled for storage the temperature should be monitored and recorded.


Wax (expand list )
HS number Description


Revisions
Version Date Changes
1.0 12.10.2012 First version