Nominal grain

The "nominal grain" or "nominal grain size" in the context of bulk material sampling refers to a specific particle size or size range within the entire particle spectrum of the material.

In bulk material analysis, grain size is often measured and characterized, as it can have decisive effects on the properties of the material, such as flow behavior, compactability and reactivity. The nominal grain could be used as a reference to describe how a material was sieved, ground or otherwise processed.

When sampling bulk materials, the nominal grain can be important because it affects how the sample is taken, handled, and analyzed. For example:

• Representativeness: In order to obtain a representative sample of a bulk material with different grain sizes, the sampling technique must be designed to accurately reflect the distribution of grain sizes throughout the material.
• Equipment selection: The size and type of sampling tools and equipment may need to be matched to the nominal grain to ensure that the sample is collected and handled correctly.
• Analysis: Understanding the nominal grain can be helpful in analyzing the sample to select the right tests and methods.

The nominal grain is therefore a key factor that must be taken into account in the planning and execution of bulk sampling, as well as in the subsequent analysis and interpretation of the results.