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In
Inline agitation system, the possibility of
materials –Liquid or Solid passing through
it, without subjected to intense hydraulic
and mechanical shear actions is zero. Here
suction pipe (inlet pipe) is centrally
mounted & outlet is radially mounted ,
therefore it is physically impossible for
any material to pass from inlet to outlet
without exposed to agitation.
The stator which surrounds rotor is
available with various type of opening i.e.
round, square, rectangular & with
perforation also so that all the critical
demand of Mixing, Emulsifying,
Disintegration & Dispersion of solids,
suspension can be met out by same equipment.
The machine is versatile & has completely
revolutionized the traditional mixing
techniques. Here close tolerance of rotor
with the stator produces high hydraulic
shearing & mechanical action that ensures
that material entrapped between rotor &
stator is subjected to tremendous shearing
actions each minute.
Fluid Mixing Mechanisms:
In
terms of mechanical mixing mechanisms, a
number of actions are employed by different
types of mixers to create different effects
for particular process results. For
distributive action, swirl created by
rotating parts causes laminar thinning of
the material interfaces, thereby increasing
volumetric combination of the materials. A
repeated cutting and folding action of the
mixture also increases the distribution of
different material components. The
effectiveness and efficiency of a mixer in
distributive mixing is therefore a function
of how the machine interacts with the fluid
in a geometric sense.
Conversely, the effectiveness and efficiency
of a mixer in dispersive mixing is a
function of how the machine interacts with
the fluid in a stressing sense. For most
materials, the higher the stress, the
smaller the resulting particles or droplets
in the mixture. However, another very
important consideration is the uniformity of
the stress field. Without a reasonable
uniformity, it is impossible to guarantee
that the same stress is applied to all parts
of the fluid. This would result in a wide
range of final droplet or particle sizes
rather than a narrow range obtained with
uniform stressing. One or more of the three
primary stressing mechanisms are used in
most fluid mixers.These mechanisms are:
Inline Mixers:
Usually called "high-shear mixers", are the
most common form of Dispersing/Homogenising/
Emulsifying mixer. By placing a form of
closely-fitting shroud around a high speed
impeller, it is possible to create a
shearing action between the blades and
stator shroud. As material is centrifugally
pumped through the mixing head, some of it
will see this high shear zone and experience
shear stressing that results in dispersive
mixing. Where small or uniform dispersions
are required, material must be cycled
through the head many times to ensure
statistically that all of the material has
passed through the high shear zone at
leastonce.
PUMPING ACTION :
Because of indigenous design & rotor
operating at very high speed in close
clearance with stator draws the material in
& imparts mechanical & shearing actions.
Inline Homogenizer facilitates high volume,
non positive action which is sufficient to
transfer the material without any
supplementary pumps but in some cases
because of high viscosity, vertical lift or
length of pipe line , the flow rate may come
down below the anticipated value, In that
case it is supplemented by an auxiliary pump
installed in the system which pumps the
liquid without reducing the homogenising/emulsifying
efficiency of the system.
END CONNECTION :
The inlet & outlet are normally fitted with
. DIN, Tri Clover/ Sanitary Screw fittings
but other Modes of fittings can be provided
on request.
SEALING :
Single mechanical seal with Carbon, silicon
carbonized phase combination is provided.
Special single or double sealing is also
available for conditions & process which
demand it eg. Latex , Abrasive solids.
APPLICATION OF INLINE HOMOGENISER/EMULSIFIER
Inline emulsifier is successfully used for
the following processes :
RECIRCULATORY PROCESSING :
There are certain processes which demand
higher degree of homogenization, dispersion,
comminution & but to attain that level,
single passage of material through Inline is
not sufficient to reach that degree , in
that situation , it is more useful to pass
the product several times through the same
machine by means of recirculation. The above
process is normally adopted in producing
emulsion of Oil & Water. Oil , which is
lighter than water is charged in the holding
vessel & water is added into the pipe line
between vessel outlet valve & Inlet of
Inline Emulsifier. This mix is immediately
sucked into the head of emulsifier & there
mixing/ emulsification/ homogenization takes
place . This mix is then sent into the
vessel. This process is repeated till
achievement of perfect emulsion. Where
viscosity is very high or vessel size is
large, it is recommended to go for Batch
type mixer along with Inline Mixer.
PREMIX PROCESS : In this process, all
ingredient are mixed in a holding vessel
with some agitator & a single passage
through the inline smoothens the lumps and
homogenize a suspension or emulsion.
Inline Mixer is currently in use in the
industry listed below & this gives a new
horizon for this exceptional machine to
validate its results.
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