Paddle Mixers
Paddle mixers are a type of agitator used in the mixing, blending, and conditioning of dry friable materials, sludges, and slurries. Paddle mixers are constructed around a horizontal rotating axis, with broad shearing paddles radiating from spokes around the axis, similar in construction and application to ribbon blenders. Precision paddle mixers have forward facing and reverse facing paddles, which help to properly rotate material from one end of the tank to the other and back.
Quick links to Paddle Mixers Information
Applications of Paddle Mixers
Because paddle mixers' efficient shearing motion creates relatively little resistance during mixing, paddle mixers are often used for mixing heavy resistance solids, wet-dry mixing, slurry mixing, and other high viscosity liquid mixing applications such as plaster, detergents, caulking, rubber, oil sludge, and fertilizers. Paddle mixers with close-tolerance design can mix effectively at as low as 20% volume capacity, acquiring less wear than ribbon blenders and other types of agitators due to their low resistance design and slower required mixing speeds.
Paddle mixers are utilized in several industries, including:
- Food and Beverage
- Pharmaceutical
- Chemical
Paddle mixers are used most commonly for mixing dry materials, such as:
- Coffee
- Sugar
- Minerals
- Drywell
- Chemicals
- Agricultural Feed
Paddle Mixer Design and Function
Paddle mixers have the same configuration as ribbon blenders, which means they are usually housed in a semi-cylinder. Ribbon blenders have long ribbon-like paddles that circle around a central axis, shearing through friable materials as the axis turns. Instead of ribbon shapes, these mixers have paddle-shaped blades protruding from the axis. The axis and paddles of paddle mixers are generally contained in a semi-cylinder of stainless steel or aluminum alloys; pneumatic powder feeders, liquid dosing feeders, and outlets are often integrated as part of a paddle mixing system for easy, precise ingredient adding and product extraction.