When mixing continuously in larger batches, In-Line mixing is often the method chosen by manufacturers to get the best results; it also offers greater energy efficiency over in-tank mixers as the mixer’s effort is concentrated on a small volume in the mixing chamber rather than having to circulate the entire volume in the tank. Silverson can now help customers working with R&D and laboratory scale batches, all the way through to full scale production with the launch of their new small-scale In-Line mixer range.
One of the most versatile mixers on the market, high shear rotor/stator In-Line mixers have the ability to form stable emulsions, de-agglomerate, reduce particle and droplet sizes and blend powdered and liquid ingredients. These self-pumping mixers consist of a high-speed rotor turning with close clearance inside a fixed stator. This workhead is impossible to bypass so all material is subjected to high shear as it passes through the workhead. Silverson rotor/stator In-Line mixers can achieve a particle or droplet size in the range of 2 – 5 microns, or finer depending on the ingredient type and formulation. Before now these specialised mixers have only been available as a production-scale model or as a benchtop laboratory unit, but with the launch of the new small-scale In-Line mixers Silverson can now offer customers more options in terms of batch sizes and processing requirements. In this article, Silverson explains the different In-Line mixing options available in their product range.
Laboratory scale In-Line Mixers
One of the key benefits from using Silverson laboratory equipment is the accuracy with which the performance of the production scale mixers can be predicted, based on laboratory trials. The Silverson Verso, a bench-top In-Line mixer is built to the same tolerances as the production scale In-Lines, providing an accurate and easy means of forecasting the performance of larger Silverson In-Line mixers.
The Silverson Verso is ideal for laboratory or pilot scale applications, with self-pumping throughputs of up to 2,400 litres per hour. The Verso is equipped with a digital tachometer, ammeter and programmable timer, invaluable for applications where process validation and reproducibility are required.
In addition to the standard Verso, mixers can also be supplied in an Ultra-hygienic specification for stringent applications in clean industries, or as a high viscosity model allowing it to process products such as gels, creams, sauces and gum solutions on a laboratory scale.
Small-scale In-Line Mixers
Silverson has recently launched a new range of mixers for small scale production. These mixers have been designed to bridge the gap between laboratory mixers and full scale production machines. The range includes an “Ultra Hygienic” specification In-Line mixer, an In-Line mixer suitable for higher viscosity mixes, and a small-scale Multistage In-Line mixer. These new mixers are particularly useful in applications where the smallest production scale mixers may be too large, but laboratory equipment may not offer sufficient capacity. They can also be offered for use in Flameproof areas, an option not available with the Verso models.
Each mixer is ideal for batches of up to 50 litres. The Ultra Hygienic model, the 150 UHS, is built to the same high specification as production scale UHS mixers and can be supplied with Silverson-designed hygienic single mechanical shaft seals, which can be converted to hygienic double mechanical shaft seals suitable for pressurised flush.
The UHS-HV High Viscosity model can achieve high flow rates, typically around 6,500 litres/hour, which are maintained as viscosity rises. This often eliminates the need for additional feed pumps.
The 088/150 UHS Multistage Small-Scale In-Line features two concentric rotors and stators; this allows customers to configure the mixer to their individual requirements, depending on the desired results the stators can be a number of different combinations which can be quickly and easily changed to optimise processing. The Multistage workhead increases the number of shearing actions per revolution of the rotor, resulting in substantially faster mixing times and increasing the number of products that can be processed in a single pass.
Production Scale In-Line Mixers
Silverson’s line of production scale high shear In-Line mixers offers a great many advantages – speed, versatility, aeration-free mixing, and guaranteed efficiency. Capable of self-pumping throughputs of up to 200,000 litres per hour, these mixers are ideal for continuous mixing.
Silverson production scale In-Line mixers can be supplied as General Purpose, Ultra-Hygienic, Multistage, High Viscosity and as Jacketed models, depending on the application.
If you’d like find out more about High Shear In-Line mixers or discuss how they could help you to improve your mixing process, contact Silverson Machines.
