THE INVESTIGATION OF SEGREGATION OF FERROMAGNETIC MICROTRACERS FROM PREMIXES: RESULTS OF TESTING IN MODEL CONDITIONS AND DURING OF DELIVERY AND STORAGE

Тhe theoretical aspects of determining the homogeneity of mixed feed and the conditions for the manifestation of segregation are considered. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible segregation of Microtracer ferromagnetic particles and premix during the storage and delivery of products from its production site to the consumer. In the samples taken (6 samples of 25 g and 4 samples of 200 g) from different locations in the 25 kg paper bag, the Microtracer concentration was determined and the values of the standard deviation and the coefficient of variation were calculated. It was concluded that observed variation between the Microtracer concentrations in 25 g sub-samples are ranging between 0.28 and 0.49%. The variations between the Microtracer concentrations in 200 g sub-samples were relatively small (from 0.49 to 0.52%) and the average value of the coefficient of variation was 3.4%. The average concentration of Microtracer in the 200 g sub-samples was noticeably higher (0.50%) than average concentration from analysis of 25 g sub-samples (0.37%). The results obtained allow us to conclude that the moderate segregation between Microtracer and premix is taking place during shipment of product from the manufacturing site to the customer probably due to difference in particle sizes of these materials. The comparison on segregation data obtained as a result of model tests was made. The role of segregation of individual components of premixes in the process of their production, storage and delivery was analyzed. It was shown that segregation can be manifested as a result of uneven distribution of premix particles which differing in size, shape and density. The contribution of each of these components in the segregation process was discussed. The method of model laboratory segregation tests between premix and ferromagnetic Microtracer which is proposed in this study seems to be a useful tool for investigating the processes of segregation of granular materials.