The Role Of Mixers In Industries

‘Mixing’ is one of the most important operations applied in all industries dealing with various materials. Mixing is a process through which raw materials are circulated to decrease their heterogeneity in a specific space. The importance and necessity of using mixers can be demonstrated by specifying industries that need this process. For example:

1. Medical and pharmaceutical industries;
2. Agricultural industries;
3. Chemical and petrochemical industries;
4. Biotechnology industries;
5. Polymer and Plastics;
6. Automobile painting and repairing industries;
7. Health and cosmetics industries;
8. Food industries;
9. Water and wastewater treatment;
10. Pulp and paper;
11. Mineral processing; and
12. Construction and civil industries.

Mixers Classification

Based on the mixing mechanism, mixers are classified as dynamic mixers and static mixers. In dynamic mixers, force transmission agents (shaft and impeller) rotate and circulate the fluid. On the other hand, in static mixers, mixing system is stationary and fluid moves inside the system. In dynamic mixers, mixing energy is supplied by an electric motor while in static ones the needed energy results from fluid pressure drop.

Dynamic Mixers

More than 50% of chemical products across the world are produced in mechanically stirred vessels, with dynamic mixers being one of their components.

Dynamic mixers can be used in vessels for different continuous, batch, and batch feedback processes. A cost-effective mixing in these processes is of high importance since reducing investment and operation costs increases process efficiency and increases profitability.

Fluids are mixed together in vessels because of many goals such as homogenizing one or more phases, suspension, and emulsification. The basic function of these mixers is to circulate the material throughout a vessel using the blades installed on impellers.

Chemicals vessels are used for the following purposes:

1. To combine homogeneous materials such as oil, petroleum additives, dilution, and unlimited range of chemicals;
2. To suspend solids in crystallizers and polymer reactors and to extract the solvent;
3. To combine and produce emulsion solutions;
4. To disperse gas in liquids for the absorption, oxidation, and hydrogenation of Ozone, Chlorination, or fermentation;
5. To homogenize high-viscosity fluids such as paints and polymers; and
6. To transfer heat through the chamber or internal coil for heating or cooling.