Mechanical fluidized-bed plow mixers: Fast, intense processing without high shear
Intense mixing generally applies high shear, which can degrade particles and generate heat from energy buildup. By mechanically fluidizing particles, a fluidized-bed plow mixer intensely but gently mixes the particles, reducing shear and minimizing heat buildup without the problems associated with gas fluidization. This article first discusses how the mixer works, how to use the mixer for other processes, and mixer variations. Then it explains how to select the mixer for your application.
A mechanical fluidized-bed plow mixer can quickly mix a batch, typically in less than 10 minutes, and can handle a mixture with over 600,000-centipoise viscosity and a mix ratio up to 1-to-20,000. This efficiency is possible because the mixer fluidizes and rapidly agitates the mixture in three dimensions. The gentle but intense mixing action is well-suited both for mixing solids with solids and solids with liquids and minimizes mechanical heat buildup. The mixer's enclosed environment also makes it suitable for applications other than mixing.