Things You Need to Know About a High Shear Mixer

A high shear mixer is an important equipment in the pharmaceutical industry. It reduces the size of solid particles and liquid droplets in emulsions and dispersions. Here are functions of a high shear mixer.

Main Function

 

A high shear mixer allows matter in any of its forms to be converted into an immiscible liquid. The ingredient is fed in a tank and mixed together. Inside the mixer is a high-speed rotor or impeller and a stator, the stationary component. The impeller and stator are called the mixing head. The mixing process includes the mixing head creating a high-shear zone. This allows the materials fed to the tank to reduce its size and state.

 

Industries that Use High Shear Mixer

 

  • Pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical industry relies on a high shear mixer to convert their medicine in a more deliverable method for their patients. High shear mixers can create a solution or granules.

 

  • Food Preparation. High shear mixers can produce an emulsion. The emulsion is a fine dispersion of minute droplets of one liquid in another in which it is not soluble or miscible. Condiments, dressings, and sauce are served and sold mostly in the form of an emulsion. 

 

  • Paper Manufacture. The papermaking process requires a high shear mixer. Before it becomes paper, wood needs to be converted to paper pulp. It requires that the fiber be mixed in a fine-scale to be bleached. This is where the high shear mixer helps.

 

  • Cosmetics. Most cosmetics and toiletries are solutions, granulated, or emulsion. Some chemical products like waxes, gels, polishing agents, and dyes are a result of high shear mixing.

 

Types of High Shear Mixers

 

  • High Shear Granulators. Common in pharmaceutical companies and hospitals. These use solid and liquid materials, as the component and as an aid to the process. It reduces the solid component’s size in granulated form and dumping the liquid once the process is over. 

 

  • Batch High-Shear Mixers. Good for emulsifying components, batch high-shear mixers are prominent among food and chemical manufacturers. It process materials fast making it a demand for industrial use.

 

  • Inline Powder Induction. Good for converting powder into a liquid form. Easy to use, flexible, portable, and capable to serve multiple mix vessels makes this mixer a good find in the market.

 

  • Inline High-Shear Mixers. Can do a continuous process and a more controlled mixing environment.

 

  • Ultra-High Shear Inline Mixers. An improved version of an inline high shear mixer. It allows sub micrometer particle sizes due to the technology incorporated to this mixer. 

 

Conclusion

 

High shear mixers come in different sizes and function, but the working principle is the same. If you are going to enter the manufacturing industry, you may consider getting a high shear mixer.