Mixing dry components is a time-honored staple of the processing industries. Several machines are available for homogenizing powders and other forms of dry material. Powder mixers can be of the batch or continuous feed variety and are often used in the food, dairy, and beverage sectors. Furthermore, the powder’s physical qualities dictate one of two distinct mixing procedures.
The convective mixing technique, such as the one found inside the ribbon mixer. It can be used to thoroughly combine dry components in the case of powders that are relatively incohesive, meaning that the particles do not cling together easily.
However, a more extensive mixing procedure is necessary, employing impact pressure or shear force to combine components when materials are cohesive properly prone to adhering together, such as in the situation with fine powders and especially with wet cloths.
The issue with such powder-mixing machines
Several different operational characteristics determine the amount of powder it may mix at a given time. To maximize their line’s output, the operators of sanitary processing plants will, as a matter of course, work toward decreasing the amount of time spent mixing the product to the greatest extent feasible.
When a larger quantity of powder needs to be combined, it will take longer to mix all of the ingredients. However, there is no guarantee that the mixing time will double if the same amount increases the volume.
The time spent mixing will typically decrease in proportion to the mixer speed. However, it is vital to be aware that employing high mixing rates with some powders might result in particle breakage, influencing product uniformity; hence, processors need to consider this element when mixing.
Four types of powder mixing machines
Ribbon Mixers
Ribbon mixers and blenders have a horizontal trough in the shape of a U and a precisely made ribbon agitator in the center of the track. An inner and an outer pair of helical blades that are pitched in the opposing direction make up the agitator.
Liquefier
Mixers of the specialized kind known as liquefiers are employed to transform solids or semi-solids into liquids. They use the movement of a fluid to dissolve dry or solid items into the solution of the liquid. The materials are moved through the chambers of powder mixer machine, which may be outfitted with either fixed blades or shredders, using this sort of mixer.
High Shear Mixers
Mixtures can be emulsified, homogenized, dispersed, and ground to a smaller particle size using high-shear mixers, which have rotor tips that rotate at high speeds and are attached to spinning shafts.
Mixing powder is another common application for high-shear mixers, also known as rotor-stator mixers. These mixers are particularly helpful for incorporating liquids into dry mixtures. In the food and beverage business, sanitary processing applications are frequently used for them and are commonly employed.
Induction Mixers
Powder induction refers to combining dry particles into liquids and is referred to by that word. Dust is produced when powders are put directly into liquids, which can be a problem in production situations if this approach is used to mix the ingredients.
