Ask an Expert: Mixers and Blenders
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Q: What type of high shear mixer can handle non-Newtonian fluids which will "harden" as shear is introduced.
A: For dilatant materials, high shear can be generated with relatively low velocity, depending on the characteristics of your particular fluid.
Planetary Mixers and Multi-shaft Mixers are commonly utilized in applications where we see this fluid behavior. We rarely see rotor/ stator mixers for applications involving dilatant materials.
Q: Can the Vertical Blender be mounted on load cells and used as a weighing device?
A: Yes, the Vertical Blender can be mounted on load cells and used as a weighing device.
Q: What is the minimum working capacity in a VCB tumble blender?
A: The minimum batch on a VCB tumble blender will depend largely on whether you are using an intensifier bar. When considering just the mixing aspect without an intensifier bar, 1/10 of the working volume could be mixed. If using an intensifier bar, you would have to select a batch height where the product sufficiently contacts the high speed blades.
Q: How can we reduce foaming during mixing of surfactants?
A: When mixing liquids that are prone to generating foam, you should look to minimize turbulence at the surface of the batch. This includes avoiding top entering agitators if they run at an appreciable speed. Low speed, anchor agitators can be utilized if the agitator is relatively large in diameter and running at a slow rotational speed.
