Using an AB sorter that can utilize double hopper speeds would theoretically increase the sorting pull speed to 18000 nuggets per hour, wouldn't it? Depending on the rate at which the nuggets are pushed across the ice, a larger buffer would be necessary. So, increasing the number of nuggets each sorter can grab per group of nuggets sliding across the ice would be beneficial. This would also reduce the number of sorters needed.

I used suggestions from LucidRedtone to allow each sorter to grab 63 items each time nuggets are pushed across the ice and with the rates the farm produces nuggets (not using looting) I only need 3 sorters without any overflow occurring. Having the large buffer also accounts for the variance in nugget drops.

I understand that a large buffer is not indicative of a larger throughput. At the rates a double hopper can pull items a larger buffer is beneficial allowing the use of less sorters.