~ Beet Scale Test.s' ~ )°It/'/.
•
BEET SCALE TESTS
Because of the great importance of the beet scale tests, everyone con-nected with the testing of the beet scales should endeavor to make them as reliable as possible.
Checking of Beet Scales and Test Scales
The counterweight box should be so weighted as to give the approximate
average dump considered most desirable. This is usually somewhat ~reater than
the nominal weight,
The platform of the test scales should be lar~e enou~h to permit the
centering on it of the car hopper or any other hopper. The scales should be
sensitive to one pound, and preferably to one-half pound. Check the test weights
for accuracy and, previous to the campaign and nut less than once a week during
the campaign, check the test scales against the required amount of these test weights, which should be kept in a suitable locked box at the test scales. Check also the accuracy of the sliding poise against one or more standard test weightsq At factories where two dumps are weighed at a time and sufficient test weights are not available to check the test scales with this load, the following method shall be used. First check the test scale with 1,000 lbs. of test weights, then
remove the test weights, fill the test scales with approximately 1,000 lb$. of beets, and after draining thoroughly obtain the exact weight. Then put the test
weights back and see if the test scale registers the added 1,000 lbs. of weight correctly, The chief chemist should personally supervise the making of these
checks. If the test scales are found, as a result of these checks, to be in error
more than one-half lb., apply the necessary correction to the test scale until
such time as the test scale is adjusted to give correct values. Such correction is most conveniently applied in the daily calculation of the weight of beets.
Daily Beet Scale Tests (General)
The assistant chemist should make the tests and the superintendent should
delegate a man to assist him, if necessary. The weighin~ on the test scales shall be done by the assistant chemist only.
Balance the test scale previous to each weighing, care being taken to have the inclined side free from trash, etc . . All of the beets ccxnposing a dump
must enter the test scale hopper and be weighed. Put any beets which do not enter the hopper in it, and if this is impossible reject the dump and catch another.
Do not discard the results of a scale test unle~s it is known that the
test was wrongly made or that the beet scale wRs out of order at the time of the
test.
It is advisable to have a check counter working on each beet scale and if the readings of the two counters do not essentially agree, it is necessary thr.t
such disagreement be reconciled with operating conditions to determine as accurate a figure as possible for the weight of beets. Steps should immediately be taken to determine the cause of the disagreement.
The Great West·ern Sugar company
Chemical Department
-1-Beet Scale Tests June 1, 1944
The original record of beet scale tests shall be kept in the assistant chemist's notebook, or in such other permanent form as may be preferred. ,It shaJ.l
include the tare and the gross weight of each test. If the assistant chemist computes his own net weights from the foregoing data, the subtractions shall be checked by the chief chemist or the laboratory clerk.
When Beets from Test Scale Are Not Returned to the Washer or Elevator
Obtain the tests as far as possible under actual running conditions
without stopping the flow of beets. After a shutdown of the beet scales allow as
many dumps as necessary or possible to ~ss in order to get the op:ration of the scales at approximately the same speed as normal operation.
Make at least 4 tests per shift on each beet scale.
Do not make at one time more than half of the total tests per shift. There should be a period of not less than three hours between testing when only
two sets of tests are made. If more than two sets of tects are made, reduce the
period as required.
When Beets from Test Scale Are Returned to the Washer or Elevator
With this kind of installation it is unnecessary to pay any attention to
the rate of flow of the beets, because scale tests can be taken at random without interrupting the flow of beets. The following precaution is however important. Do not take more than two scale tests per beet scale at one time, in order to avoid the possibility of augmenting the flowof beets with the beets returned from the test scale.
Make at least 6 tests per shift on eacl: beet scale or basket. Weightometers
Weightometers should be tested twice per shift.
The Great Western Sugar Company
Chemical Department
-2-Beet See.le Tests
