The mixing or blending of
powder ingredients is a common industrial process practiced in many industries
including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, minerals and food.
The choice of
Mixer can be complicated but the following Top Ten Tips may help you make your
final decision.
1.
Batch or Continuous?
One of the first questions
to ask is whether a batch or continuous mixer is required. Here we look at
considerations for selecting the right equipment for batch mixing. In batch
mixing the whole batch can be identified and is traceable to help with overall
quality control. Batch operations are very versatile and one Blender can be
used for blending several ingredients together and for multipurpose operations.
2.
Batch Size
Don’t assume that biggest is
best! Some mixer
types may not achieve a full homogeneous mix when the
mixing time is extended or when the volume is large.
3.
Mixing Time
The shorter the mixing time
to achieve a homogeneous mix then the lower the costs will be and there will be
less product degradation with sensitive materials. Look for efficiency in
blending operations with gentle actions. Perry Process Equipment Ltd has a wide
range of quality used mixers that meet this requirement.
4.
Power Consumption
With over increasing energy
costs, it is important to consider not just the installed motor power but the
actual power used in blending. Some mixers, such as the iconic Vrieco Nauta Conical Blender, only mix small portions at a time
while the mixing arm rotates throughout the mass. These have very much lower power
loads.
5.
Ease of Discharge
The discharge of a batch blender
is one of the most critical functions. Here it is necessary to ensure that the
blender empties fully and smoothly with no residual “heel” or bridging. Check
the discharge opening size, as many blended powder products can have poor flow
properties and can be a little sticky.
6.
Mixer Internal Finish
Smooth internal finishes to the
mixer are usually best in most applications, as this aids discharge. In the
food and pharmaceutical industries stainless steel vessels with an internal
mirror finish are commonly used.
7.
Ease of Cleaning and Cross Contamination
This is very important
particularly when one mixer is to be used for different products. If cleaning
is highly critical, for example in the food and chemical field, then ‘cleaning
in place’ (CIP) or even ‘sterilization in place (SIP) can be installed.
8.
Know your target result
It is important to know a
clear end result specification so that equipment specialists can advise on the
type of mixer best suited to your requirements.
9.
Factory Space
This is a fairly obvious
point but it is something that needs to be considered carefully. It is not just
the actual footprint of the mixer that you need to think about but any access
requirements for loading, discharge, cleaning and maintenance. Height restrictions
can often make the selection of a mixer a little more difficult.
10.
System Design
It is never too early to
consider the design of the total system when making your mixer selection. For example,
there would be no point in opting for high accuracy blending equipment if you
are then planning on blowing discharged product a large distance across the
factory thereby allowing it to disaggregate en route.
When selecting a mixer, it
pays to talk to our experts to prevent costly mistakes impacting on subsequent stages
of the process and final product quality. The Sales Managers at Perry Process
Equipment Ltd can help you find the right specification mixer for your needs.
Need help choosing the right mixer for your process? Contact one of our equipment specialist Sales Managers today! We have 100s of mixers ready in stock for immediate delivery.
Tel: +44 (0)1325 315111 | Email: info@perryprocess.co.uk
