The project targets a new technique to facilitate non-destructive sampling in waste bales. The current state-of-the-art sampling implements breaking up the bale, followed by tapering the samples. However this technique is time-consuming. Improving the sampling process should lead to higher accuracy of the results, since the process of sampling is the major source of error.
Five sampling methods were tested, including the state-of-the-art method, sampling with a chainsaw and different drillers of which the gained drilling cuttings are used as the sample.
The most effective tool to sample a proper increment turned out to be a concrete core drill with a customised crown. Depending on the size of the bales, up to 20 increments can be obtained without compromising the stability of the bale. Hence, a non-destructive sampling technique is now achievable.