Mixing Tank with Agitator

What is a mixing tank?

The mixing tank is an important equipment widely used in industrial production. Structurally, it is mainly composed of a tank body, agitator, transmission device, sealing device, heating or cooling device, and inlet and outlet. The tank body is usually made of solid materials such as stainless steel and carbon steel, and has cylindrical, conical, elliptical, etc. shapes to meet various process requirements. The agitator, as the core component, is installed in the tank body and obtains power through the rotation of the transmission device to fully mix and stir the materials in the tank. The transmission device is generally composed of a motor, a reducer, a coupling, etc., which provides stable and suitable power for the agitator.

The structure of the mixing tank

The mixing tank with agitator is mainly composed of the tank body, agitator, transmission device, sealing device, heating or cooling device, inlet and outlet, etc.

• Tank body

The tank body is the main component of the mixing tank, usually made of stainless steel, carbon steel and other materials. The tank body shape includes cylindrical, conical, elliptical, etc., which can be selected according to different process requirements. The volume of the tank body also varies, ranging from a few liters to dozens of cubic meters. The inner wall of the tank is usually polished to ensure the cleanliness of the material and prevent the material from sticking.

• Agitator

The agitator is the core component of the mixing tank. Its function is to fully mix and stir the materials in the tank. There are many types of agitators, the most common ones are paddle agitators, turbine agitators, anchor agitators, ribbon agitators, etc. Different types of agitators are suitable for different materials and process requirements.

1. Paddle agitator: Paddle agitator has a simple structure and is widely used. It consists of two or more blades, which are usually flat and installed on the agitator shaft. The stirring speed of the paddle agitator is low and it is suitable for mixing and stirring low-viscosity materials.

2. Turbine agitator: Turbine agitator is a high-speed agitator composed of multiple blades, and the blade shape is similar to a turbine. The turbine agitator has a fast stirring speed and strong shear force, and is suitable for mixing and stirring high-viscosity materials.

3. Anchor Agitator: An anchor agitator is an agitator that is shaped like an anchor. It has a large stirring area and is suitable for stirring materials with high viscosity and easy to adhere to the tank wall. The stirring speed of the anchor agitator is low and it is usually used in conjunction with other types of agitators.

4. Ribbon Agitator: A ribbon agitator is an agitator composed of spiral blades. It has a wide stirring range and is suitable for mixing and stirring materials with high viscosity. The stirring speed of the ribbon agitator is low and it is usually used in conjunction with other types of agitators.

• Transmission device

The transmission device is a component that transmits power to the agitator, usually composed of a motor, a reducer, a coupling, etc. The motor is the power source of the mixing tank. According to the size of the mixing tank and the process requirements, motors of different powers are selected. The function of the reducer is to reduce the speed of the motor and increase the torque of the agitator. The function of the coupling is to connect the motor and the reducer to transmit power.

• Sealing device

The sealing device is a component that prevents material leakage and external impurities from entering the mixing tank. It is usually composed of mechanical seals, packing seals, etc. Mechanical seals have good sealing performance and long service life, and are suitable for occasions with high sealing requirements. Packing seals have a simple structure and low cost, and are suitable for occasions with low sealing requirements.

• Heating or cooling device

The heating or cooling device is a component used to control the temperature of the material in the mixing tank, usually composed of a jacket, coil, etc. The jacket is a sleeve installed on the outside of the tank body, and the material in the tank body is heated or cooled by passing steam, hot water or cold water. The coil is a spiral tube installed in the tank body, and the material in the tank body is heated or cooled by passing steam, hot water or cold water.

• Inlet and outlet ports

The inlet and outlet ports are the parts for materials to enter and exit the mixing tank, usually composed of valves, pipes, etc. The location and number of the inlet and outlet ports are designed according to the process requirements to facilitate material entry and exit and operation.

Mixing tank type

Classification by tank shape

• Cylindrical mixing tank: Cylindrical mixing tank is the most common type of mixing tank. Its tank body is cylindrical, with simple structure and easy manufacturing. It is suitable for stirring and mixing most materials.

• Conical mixing tank: The body of the conical mixing tank is conical, and the bottom is a conical structure, which is conducive to the discharge of materials. The conical mixing tank is suitable for mixing and mixing high-viscosity and easy-to-precipitate materials.

• Oval mixing tank: The body of the oval mixing tank is oval, with a compact structure and a small footprint, which is suitable for occasions with limited space. The oval mixing tank is suitable for mixing and mixing various materials.

Classification by agitator type

• Paddle agitator: Paddle agitator uses a paddle agitator with a low stirring speed, suitable for mixing low-viscosity materials.

• Turbine agitator: Turbine agitator uses a turbine agitator with a fast stirring speed and strong shear force, suitable for mixing high-viscosity materials.

• Anchor type mixing tank: The anchor type mixing tank adopts an anchor type agitator with a large stirring area, which is suitable for stirring materials with high viscosity and easy to stick to the tank wall.

• Spiral type mixing tank: The spiral type mixing tank adopts a spiral agitator with a wide stirring range, which is suitable for mixing and stirring high viscosity materials.

Classification by operation mode

• Intermittent mixing tank: Intermittent mixing tank is a batch operation mixing tank. After the materials are mixed in the tank, they need to be discharged from the tank before the next batch of materials can be mixed. Intermittent mixing tank is suitable for mixing small batches and multiple varieties of materials.

• Continuous mixing tank: The continuous mixing tank is operated continuously, and the materials are continuously mixed and stirred in the tank body, and continuously enter and exit the tank body. The continuous mixing tank is suitable for mixing and stirring a large number of single-variety materials.

Classification by heating or cooling method

• Jacketed mixing tank: Jacketed mixing tank is a tank with a jacket installed on the outside of the tank, which heats or cools the material in the tank by passing steam, hot water or cold water. Jacketed mixing tank is suitable for occasions where temperature control requirements are not high.

• Coil-type mixing tank: The coil-type mixing tank is a tank with a spiral coil installed inside the tank. The material in the tank is heated or cooled by passing steam, hot water or cold water. The coil-type mixing tank is suitable for occasions with high temperature control requirements.

• Electric heating mixing tank: The electric heating mixing tank is an electric heater installed outside the tank body, and the material in the tank is heated by the electric heater. The electric heating mixing tank is suitable for occasions with high temperature control requirements and small heating area.

Application of mixing tanks

• Chemical industry: In the chemical industry, mixing tanks are used for various chemical reactions, mixing, dissolving and other processes. For example, in the production process of synthetic resins, plastics, rubber, coatings, etc., mixing tanks are needed to mix and react various raw materials to obtain the desired products.

• Pharmaceutical industry: In the pharmaceutical industry, mixing tanks are used for drug mixing, stirring, dissolving, fermentation and other processes. For example, in the production process of drugs, mixing tanks are needed to mix and stir various raw materials to obtain uniform drug preparations.

• Food industry: In the food industry, mixing tanks are used for mixing, stirring, fermenting, and seasoning of food. For example, in the production process of beverages, dairy products, condiments, etc., mixing tanks are needed to mix and stir various raw materials to obtain food with good taste.

• Paint industry: In the paint industry, mixing tanks are used for mixing, stirring, and dispersing of paints. For example, in the production process of paints, coatings, inks, etc., mixing tanks are needed to mix and disperse various pigments, fillers, resins and other raw materials to obtain uniform paint products.

• Dye industry: In the dye industry, mixing tanks are used for mixing, stirring, and dissolving dyes. For example, in the dye production process, mixing tanks are needed to mix and dissolve various dye raw materials to obtain the desired dye products.