- Main Category
Industrial agitators and mixers
What are mixers used for?
Industrial agitators are used to mix, homogenise, disperse, dissolve or flocculate media in tanks and process vessels. The choice of agitator must be tailored to the process objective and how the medium behaves during agitation.
Installation position, tank geometry, viscosity, solids content, temperature, pressure and the desired mixing effect are among the factors that influence the selection and sizing.
Top-mounted agitators
It is mounted on top of the tank and can be used for, amongst other things, mixing, homogenisation, dissolution and flocculation. The choice of impeller, motor or gearbox and sealing solution is tailored to the medium, the tank and the process requirements.
Dispersion and mixing solutions
High-shear equipment may be appropriate when solids need to be dispersed in a liquid, or when different liquid phases need to be emulsified. The choice of head, drive unit and configuration depends on the medium, viscosity and desired result.
Side-entry agitators
These are fitted to the side or bottom of the tank and may be suitable for circulation and homogenisation in larger tanks. Some models may feature service-friendly solutions for seals and bearings; this must be confirmed for the selected model.
Magnetic bottom agitators
Bottom-mounted agitators with magnetic couplings may be suitable when the process requires a solution that minimises the need for a conventional shaft seal. The choice of materials and any hygienic design requirements must be assessed for the specific application.
How do you choose the right mixer?
The agitator must be sized on the basis of the process itself, not just the tank volume. To select the correct solution, the following should be taken into account:
- What the process is intended to achieve – mixing, homogenisation, dispersion, suspension, dissolution or flocculation
- Tank capacity, tank geometry and available installation space
- Medium, density and viscosity
- Solid content, particle size and particle properties
- Cutting sensitivity and desired mixing intensity
- Temperature and pressure
- Choice of materials and chemical compatibility
- Installation position and sealing solution
- Engine, gearbox and the need for speed control
- Any hygiene requirements or requirements for classified areas
Technical design calculations must be carried out for the specific tank and process. The list above is intended as a decision-making aid, not a complete technical specification.
What is the aim of the process?
Mixing and homogenisation
To ensure a uniform mixture and good circulation in the tank.
Dispersion and mixing solutions
When solids are to be dispersed in a liquid, or when different liquid phases are to be mixed more thoroughly.
Keeping particles in suspension
The impeller type, tank geometry, particle content and required mixing energy must be assessed together.
Dissolution and dilution
For processes in which solids or concentrated media are to be dissolved or diluted in a liquid.
Flocculation and gentle stirring
For processes that require controlled circulation and lower shear forces than those involved in high-shear dispersion.
Frequently asked questions about water analysis and sensors
An industrial agitator is a piece of equipment used to mix, homogenise, disperse, dissolve or keep media in motion within a tank or process vessel. The correct design depends on the process objective and the properties of the medium.
The choice depends, amongst other things, on process objectives, tank volume and geometry, viscosity, density, solids content, the desired mixing effect, installation conditions, temperature, pressure and any hygiene or site-specific requirements.
The installation position is selected on the basis of the tank’s geometry, available space, the desired flow pattern, maintenance requirements and process requirements. Top-mounted, side-mounted and bottom-mounted solutions may all be suitable, but the correct solution must be assessed for the specific tank.
There is no single agitator that is suitable for all viscous media. The choice depends on factors such as viscosity, tank size, the desired result, temperature and mixing time. Please provide the process data so that the correct impeller and drive system can be assessed.
High-shear equipment may be appropriate when solids need to be dispersed in a liquid, or when liquid-liquid mixtures are difficult to blend using standard stirring methods. The choice of equipment depends on the medium and the desired end result.
Please specify, where possible, the process dimensions, tank dimensions and tank geometry, the medium, density and viscosity, solids content, particle data, temperature, pressure, desired mixing time, and any hygiene requirements or requirements relating to classified areas.
This depends on the model selected, the materials, the sealing solution, the motor protection and the necessary documentation. Hygienic design and solutions for classified areas must be confirmed for the specific model and project.
Do you need help choosing the right mixer?
Please send us details of the tank and the process, so that Norditec can assess which type of agitator and configuration is suitable. The more process data we have, the better the basis we will have for our technical assessment. Useful information: process parameters, tank dimensions/geometry, medium, density/viscosity, information on solids or particles, temperature/pressure and any hygiene or site-specific requirements.
