The process of introducing air or gas into a liquid during mixing.
The mechanical motion used to promote mixing or maintain uniformity in a mixture:
Anchor Mixer is a slow-speed mixer. Sometimes it is equipped with a shape that scrapes the tank walls to ensure complete mixing. Read more here.
Flow of fluid that runs parallel to the axis of the industrial mixer shaft. If the flow moves away from the drive unit, it is considered “down pumping”. Flow moving toward the drive unit is considered “up pumping”.
Fixed internal elements in a tank to prevent vortex formation and improve mixing efficiency for industrial mixing.
Mixing is performed in discrete quantities or batches.
Combining two or more substances to create a homogenous mixture without chemical reactions. Read more here.
The cross-sectional area of the vessel divided by the pumping rate in a tank Useful calculation of the level of agitation in the tank.
Process by which a fluid, changes into a solid or semi-solid state. In industrial and environmental processes, coagulation involves the aggregation of particles in a liquid to form larger clusters, often aided by chemical coagulants, facilitating their removal through sedimentation or filtration.
Mixing where materials are continuously fed and mixed.
The natural frequency of vibration of the industrial mixing system is called Critical Speed. When operated near this speed, the vibrations in the system can cause extreme shaft deflection and/or failure. Mixing systems should not be designed to operate at speeds near the Critical Speed or its harmonics.
The passive mixing of substances at a molecular level.
The distribution of one phase within another, such as solid particles in a liquid. Read more here.
A Dispersion disk is a type of mixer used to rapidly break apart lumps of powdery material, uniformly distributing and wetting them in a liquid. It is also used to dissolve soluble solids in a liquid. The high-speed Sawtooth impeller consists of many upward and downward-pointing teeth around the disc periphery. Read more here.
(Ratio) The relationship between the Impeller Diameter (D) and the Tank Diameter (T). Testing has shown that as viscosity increases, the D/T ratio must also increase for optimal mixing.
The process of mixing two immiscible liquids (e.g., oil and water) to form a stable mixture. Read more here.
The process of particles forming loose clusters or clumps.
A measurement of the movement generated in the fluid being mixed. The pumping rate of the rotating impeller is usually regarded as a measurement of flow. Applications with high flow exhibit rapid turnover of the material, but low levels of Shear. Generally, shear and flow are inversely related.
The Flow Number is a measurement of the pumping capacity of a specific impeller design.
The distance from the surface of the fluid to the top of the tank or vessel. Adding the Freeboard to the Coverage is useful in determining the proper shaft length of a mixer.
Gate-type impeller is designed primarily for low-shear mixing applications where the goal is to gently and uniformly mix the contents of a process tank. Read more here.
Helical blade Agitators are especially effective for mixing high-viscosity materials that are challenging to agitate using traditional impellers. The Helical blade creates an uplifting twisting motion within the fluid, promoting thorough mixing and dispersion of viscous components. Read more here.
Equipment designed to create intense mixing and particle size reduction. Read more here.
A process is used to reduce the particle size and uniformly disperse particles within a fluid, creating a stable and consistent mixture. In industrial applications, it involves breaking down particles, such as fat globules in milk or emulsions in cosmetics, to achieve a uniform distribution. Homogenization enhances the texture, stability, and appearance of products in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Homogenizer uses a high-speed rotor/stator generator to apply intense mechanical and hydraulic shear. The blades of the rotor run at peripheral speeds of 15 to 30 m/s within a fixed stator. As the blades rotate past each opening in the stator, they shear particles and droplets, expelling material at high velocity into the surrounding mass. Read more here.
Hydrofoil Agitators are often used in applications that require efficient fluid movement and mixing, especially in larger tanks or vessels, where creating circulation and preventing stagnant zones can be challenging. Read more here.
IBC impellers designed to fit through a standard 150 mm screwed cap to quickly re-suspend or re-homogenize the product during storage or transportation time as well as preparation and dissolving processes. Read more here.
A rotating device used in mixing to generate flow in the mixture.
Measurement of the outer diameter of the mixing impeller in motion.
Rate of rotation of the impeller, in revolutions per minute (rpm).
An In-line mixer is designed to continuously blend two or more liquids or powders. It also offers the flexibility to operate in continuous mode or in recirculation setups on a tank. Read more:
TurboBlend® In-Line Blending Mixer (tri-blender)
Fluid motion in which layers do not mix, typically in low-speed mixing.
Magnetic impellers are designed for applications where an extremely high level of hygiene and sterilization is required. Read more here.
Marine-type Agitators are especially efficient when there is a need for achieving uniform mixing and settling prevention for products with low viscosity, mainly in dairy, chemical processing, wastewater treatment, and similar applications.
The process of combining two or more materials to achieve uniformity.
Mixing involving two or three of the phases together: solids, liquids, and gases.
The distance between the mixing impeller and the bottom of the tank.
A mixer with flat blades.
Pitched blade Agitator effectively breaks down and suspends solid particles within a liquid medium. They prevent the settling of solids by providing the necessary fluid motion to keep particles in suspension. Read more here.
The Power Number (Np) is a constant, specific to each impeller design, that represents the power requirements for the use of that impeller.
Measurement of the actual flow rate generated by a specific impeller rotating at a known speed. Usually measured in gallons/minute or liters/minute.
Flow of fluid that runs perpendicular to the axis of the mixer shaft. Radial flow impeller generally move fluid from above and/or below the impeller and pump them outward to the walls of the tank where the material is diverted up and/or down along the wall.
A dimensionless number that represents the magnitude of fluid motion or agitation generated in a mixing application. This number is used in calculating the flow and power draw.
See “Homogenizer“.
The Rushton Agitator, also known as the Rushton turbine, is a well-known and widely used impeller. It’s a type of radial flow impeller commonly used to mix and stir liquids in tanks or vessels and for applications requiring moderate shear and effective gas dispersion in stirred tank reactors. Read more here.
The process where particles settle to the bottom, affecting mixing uniformity.
A measurement that suggests a lifespan adjustment to the expectations of a mechanical system. For example, if a gearbox which has a 1.0 SF rating under constant use with a 5HP motor is used in a system with a 2.5HP motor under constant use, the gearbox has a service factor of 2.0 suggesting that the expected lifespan of the gearbox has been substantially increased because it is being underutilized in the current configuration. In general terms, a system with a Service Factor less than 1 is overstressed and will fail prematurely, while a system with a Service Factor greater than 1 is underutilized and will last longer than expected. Typically, mixer gearboxes should be designed with a service factor of 1.5 or greater.
The terminal velocity of the particles falling through the fluid, usually measured in feet/minute or meters/minute.
A measurement of the stress produced on the fluid being mixed. Applications with high shear have areas where neighboring particles have significantly different velocities, causing the intermixing of fluids, dispersing of gases, or breakdown of the cohesiveness of liquid droplets. Generally, Shear and Flow are inversely related.
The rate at which a fluid is deformed during mixing, influencing viscosity and mixing effectiveness.
The ratio between the density of fluid and the density of water.
A basic device or blade used for manual or mechanical mixing.
Measurement of the outer diameter of a cylindrical industrial mixing tank.
A type of impeller mixer designed for high shear and high-speed applications. Read more here.
Chaotic fluid motion that enhances industrial mixing, typically in high-speed mixing.
UZ impeller is a specialized type of industrial mixing impeller designed for high efficiency, versatility, and optimized flow patterns in industrial mixing applications. The UZ impeller is an excellent choice for mixing tasks that prioritize energy efficiency, gentle fluid handling, and effective axial flow. Read more here.
A measurement of the “thickness” of a fluid. Usually measured in CentiPoise (Cp), this “thickness” is a measurement of the internal fluid friction (resistance to motion) of the fluid.
Typically undesirable, this rapid swirling of the fluid pulls the fluid surface down around the shaft until the surface contacts the impeller, which allows ambient air to become part of the mix. Vortex substantially reduces the life of the mixer and does not promote good mixing.
A process of combining solid and liquid materials to form a homogeneous mixture or suspension. It involves dispersing solid particles into a liquid medium using mechanical agitation, high-shear mixers, or other mixing equipment. The goal is to achieve a uniform distribution of components, ensuring consistent texture, viscosity, and composition. Wet mixing is commonly used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, cosmetics, and chemical manufacturing for applications like slurry preparation, emulsification, and paste formation.
The overall height of the fluid in the industrial mixing vessel. (Note: Sometimes used to denote the overall height of the mixing vessel itself.)