Low Shear Mixers

Low shear mixers

Low shear mixers are ideally used for mixing of viscous formulations is preferred when incorporating abrasive materials, fibers or delicate solids, such as hollow glass microspheres. Mixing under gentle, laminar flow conditions is also ideal for viscous products with shear-sensitive properties. A number of gel or paste formulations containing active pharmaceutical ingredients fall into this category.

Operations

Various mixer configurations deliver low shear mixing, from simple propellers and paddle blades to more complex counter-rotating agitators. However, these devices face a common limitation which is viscosity. When a batch becomes too viscous or thick, agitators with a fixed axis of rotation will eventually fail to produce adequate flow. For example, an anchor will simply carve a path through a viscous batch instead of pushing product away from the walls and into the center. Agitation close to the axis of rotation becomes limited at elevated viscosities.

Typical Applications

• Designed for pharmaceutical applications
• Full stainless steel construction
• Planetary movement provides very intensive, quick and homogeneous mix
• Designed for "dead spot free" mixing
• Useful bowl content up to 2/3 of gross capacity
• Easy cleaning and quick changeover
• Easy bowl exchange without removal of mixing arm
• Bowl trolley for ease of transport
• Bowl cover incorporates filling aperture and inspection window
• Bowl height sufficient for recipient container to be placed underneath
• Top driven design eliminates cross contamination.
• Shaft seals not in direct contact with product.