Mixing Mechanics: Preventing segregation during discharge
Like many bulk solids processors, you may have segregation problems when discharging products from a blender. Segregation can occur whether you're using a fixed-shell horizontal blender or a rotating-shell blender, such as a V-shell or double-cone blender, and is mostly likely when the blend has both large and fine particles. The problem generally doesn't occur if the blend isn't free-flowing or contains only particles less than 10 to 15 microns.
The key to eliminating segregation is to make the fine particles coat the large ones. In some cases this happens naturally, but sometimes you have to use special techniques to make it happen. In this column, we're going to explore some ways to encourage your fines to coat your large particles and eliminate segregation during discharge