Reusing thousands of collected samples of batches

[symbolipoint]

This is either an engineering problem or a mathematical problem, but it is also about chemical formulations.

Imagine a factory that can make maybe 500 different products, maybe 1000 different products; and that every day, the factory makes maybe between 12 and 20 different batches (blends of ingredient, actually). The factory must keep a sample of every batch for at least 1 year. Eventually, the factory needs to get rid of these, in order of age. Some formulas are compatible to be blended and some are not (and this is really an oversimplification). In many cases, you can look at formula compositions on paper and judge if samples are compatible to be mixed, but in many other cases, you can not be sure. You have to actually try mixing small amounts in the laboratory and see what happens if anything.

Is there some way or ways to manage how to use or blend the old samples into daily production batches, so as to not constantly be making small-scale trial blends, and keep track of which samples are old enough and therefore ready to be eliminated from storage? This would seem to be very slow, checking what batches are being produced each day and looking for compatible samples and testing of other samples for their compatibility for reblending. If the factory only would have 100 or 200 products, that's not so bad. But if the factory makes a variety of different kinds of products and has 500 to 1000 different formulas, then this seems like a tough deal.

I believe a chemical engineer or mathematician would be able to develop ways to manage something like that. I am interested in what people have to say.

 

[abc007]

I do not think that there are factories that have 100 different products but if it is then, you have to know that the batch sample will be just a few mL so it is not a big deal.

Is there some way or ways to manage how to use or blend the old samples into daily production batches, so as to not constantly be making small-scale trial blends, and keep track of which samples are old enough and therefore ready to be eliminated from storage?

a small label on the bottle with name, date, and concentration then arrange your closet in a proper way then no problem you will face.

the factory needs to get rid of these, in order of age. Some formulas are compatible to be blended and some are not (and this is really an oversimplification). In many cases, you can look at formula compositions on paper and judge if samples are compatible to be mixed, but in many other cases, you cannot be sure. You have to actually try mixing small amounts in the laboratory and see what happens if anything.

if you have a significant amount of product then a few mL of an old product will not make a serious problem.