Vacuum mixers are ideal for volumes of up to 400 gallons, depending on viscosity. While we do offer batch mixers for much larger capacities, in general beyond this point an inline mixer is often the most efficient and economical option. This is because the inline mixers energy is concentrated on the small volume within the mixing chamber at any given moment, rather than expended on circulating the entire contents of the vessel, as well as, the mixing task itself. Consequently a relatively small inline mixer can process a large batch.

Gas dispersion refers to any operation in which an incoming gas is intimately distributed throughout a liquid mass, usually with resultant chemical reaction. The following features are desired in setting up equipment for this operation.

Vacuum mixers available in various forms for both batch and continuous use, mixers generally use compressive and/or shear stresses to create dispersions by crushing or grinding the fluid material between moving surfaces.  A two-roll mixer, as the name suggests, comprises two rotating cylinders which rotate to crush and grind material between them.  The other common type, the bead mill, uses hardened metal, ceramic or glass beads inside a tumbling cylinder, through which the fluid is passed, to give a random crushing of the fluid.  Due to the way they work, mills are particularly suited to particle size reduction of solids which are suspended in fluids, although throughputs rates are generally quite low.

Radial type turbines are preferred to give a combination of shear and radial discharge pattern. A sparger ring for gas introduction below the bottom impeller is preferred over an injection tube.

Tanks should be tall and narrow in configuration to provide the greatest residence time for the gas, and should be fully baffled.