Continuous
Industrial Mixing
  Description
CRG is a beta-site for a Readco Continuous Mixer
(www.readco.com).
CRG combines advanced materials and process technology with
the Readco continuous mixer to produce a homogeneous product
by mixing one or more dry materials with one or more liquid
materials on a continuous basis.
The Continuous Mixing Process
The continuous mixing process consists of a
continuous mixer machine fed by dry powder feeders and liquids
by appropriate pumps. The formulation of the ingredients has
been predetermined, and the pumps and feeders are set to dispense
the required amounts of each ingredient.
In a continuous mixer, mixing actually becomes
a mini-production process. The basic steps of continuous mixing
include:
- Blending/Homogenization: In a continuous
mixing process, the mixture is homogenized in seconds. Blending
occurs so quickly that the time involved is almost insignificant,
and the shear/heat history becomes extremely short and uniform.
The remainder of the mixing time is used to develop the
given temperature and shear that will give the product its
unique physical and chemical properties.
- Shearing with Temperature Control:
Once the product is homogenized, it passes through a set
of paddles for shearing. The configuration of the paddles
is specifically designed to obtain the final product's unique
characteristics. The paddles can be adjusted in order to
perfect the results. As materials pass through the paddles
for shearing, their temperature is regulated by multiple
temperature controls on the outside surface of the mixer.
Rapid heating and cooling significantly reduces processing
time.
The continuous process assures superior wetting
of all filler materials with the base ingredient and also
reduces alteration of the filler materials. This is accomplished
by the appropriate arrangement of paddles within the mixer,
the machine characteristics, and material entry points and
locations. Continuous mixers are appropriate for products
with viscosities from 20,000 to 50 million centipoises.
CRG’s Readco Continuous Mixer
The Readco 21-inch continuous processor is
a twin shaft, co-rotating mixer, designed to mix one or more
dry materials with one or more liquid materials on a continuous
basis, producing a homogeneous product at the discharge end
of the unit. As its name implies, the processor operates continuously,
making every aspect of mixing faster and easier by shortening
mixing cycle times, controlling particle size, providing better
dispersion, reducing operating costs, using less floor space,
shortening heat cycles, and solving environmental concerns.
The Readco continuous processor is used in processes
involving, mixing, compounding, kneading, shearing, encapsulating,
and crystallizing. CRG also has a gravimetric feeder for the
solid components to ensure the appropriate rates for dispensing
accurate amounts of material. Heating and cooling of the materials
can also in homogeneous mixing.
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