MINIATURE ROTARY BATCH MIXER BLENDS, HEATS, COOLS, ADDS LIQUIDS
May 8, 2008
Related To: Munson Machinery Co.
A new Miniature Rotary Batch Mixer blends bulk ingredients, adds liquids and achieves 100 % batch uniformity in less than three minutes while heating or cooling the batch, according to manufacturer Munson Machinery.The mixer, model MX-1-SSJ, features an internal spray line for liquid additions, a discharge chute to direct the flow of discharged materials, and an insulated, jacketed mixing drum that can be piped to an oil, steam or chiller system.The unit is equally effective at blending batches from 100 to 15 percent of its 1 cu ft (28 liter) capacity, and can distribute micro ingredients with 100% uniformity regardless of disparities in the bulk densities, particle sizes or flow characteristics of batch ingredients, according to the company.Portions of the batch are constantly contacting the sides of the rotating vessel, and are folded back towards the horizontal axis, affecting a diagonal as well as a vertical tumbling motion, while proprietary lifters continuously cut out portions of the material and fold them back into the main body of the batch, resulting in rapid particle distribution without degradation. These mixing actions also cause the greatest number of particles to contact the jacketed mixing vessel’s heated or chilled walls, maximizing thermal transfer efficiency.Suitable for 3-A and USDA lab or production applications as well as industrial applications involving contamination-sensitive materials and/or frequent product changeovers, the unit features #304 stainless steel contact surfaces, wide spacing of internal flights for easy access, continuous polished welds having 0.25 in. (6 mm) radii, and external removable seals. Construction with exotic alloys as well as carbon steel is also offered, as are configurations with CIP vessel cleaning nozzles.Ingredients are loaded through a large side access door and discharged through a plug gate. Unlike stationary mixing vessels that leave a residual “heal” of material after discharge, the rotating vessel and internal flights of the rotary mixer reportedly lift and direct the entire batch into the discharge spout for complete evacuation with no residual material, minimizing waste while facilitating rapid, thorough sanitizing with no tools.