Mixing it up at PPMA

Silverson Machines has the largest capacity range of high-shear rotor/stator mixers from a single manufacturer and has been helping customers across a range of industries to improve their mixing processes. The extensive range that the company manufactures means that it can help with mixing as little as 1ml, or large volumes of up to 30,000l and everything in between. Here is an overview of some of the products in the Silverson range, which will be available to view on Silverson Machines’ stand, E20, at the 2023 PPMA show.

For mixing small batches from 1ml up to 12l, Silverson has a range of laboratory mixers suitable for a wide range of mixing processes. All Silverson rotor/stator mixers come with a range of easily interchangeable workheads, which allow one mixer to perform many mixing tasks that would otherwise need several pieces of mixing equipment. Silverson laboratory mixers can blend, emulsify, homogenise, disintegrate, dissolve and de-agglomerate, and mix in-line with flow rates up to 20 l/min using an inline mixing assembly. The most popular mixer in the Silverson product range, the L5M-A laboratory mixer, features touchpad controls and a tachometer, ammeter and programmable timer.

Scaling-up is a relatively simple process as all Silverson mixers are manufactured to the same precision-engineered tolerances. So anything you produce in the laboratory can be replicated in production, without the need for reformulating.

In-tank mixers

For in-tank mixing of volumes up to 30,000l, Silverson supplies in-tank batch mixer models. Capable of performing all of the same mixing processes as Silverson laboratory mixers, it is possible to reduce mixing times by up to 90% when using highshear batch mixers as opposed to traditional mixing methods such as stirrers or agitators. Small to medium range batch mixers can be used on mobile floor stands, further increasing their versatility.

The Silverson Ultramix in-tank mixer is designed for applications that are beyond the capabilities of a conventional agitator or stirrer but do not necessarily require the intense high shear of a Silverson rotor/stator mixer. Ideal for rapidly wetting out powders, including gums and thickeners, the Ultramix is also ideal for use in vessels with narrow openings. The vigorous mixing action is capable of moving the entire contents of vessels, even in difficult shaped containers.

Laboratory-scale in-line mixing

Silverson will be displaying production-scale in-line mixers as well as demonstrating working benchtop models such as the Verso-UHS-HV.

The Verso-UHS-HV is a laboratory-scale in-line mixer designed for mixing highviscosity products. It incorporates the same unique and innovative pumping rotor design as the production scale HV in-line mixers. This substantially increases its self-pumping capacity, allowing it to process products such as gels, creams, sauces and gum solutions on a laboratory scale.

A conversion kit is available, allowing the Verso-UHS-HV to be configured as an FMX5 powder/liquid mixer. This kit increases the versatility of the machine, allowing one mixer to be used as a laboratory scale highviscosity in-line mixer or powder/liquid mixer.

Powder/liquid mixing

For mixing large quantities of powder, Silverson developed the Flashmix. Unlike many powder/liquid mixers, which use a vacuum to pull in powder, the Flashmix literally forces powder into the liquid stream. This not only allows it to disperse and hydrate large volumes of powders, but it also means it can be used at higher temperatures and with higher viscosity mixes.

The FMX5, the laboratoryscale version of the Flashmix, is suitable for small-scale manufacturing and R&D work with a typical batch size of up to 10l, depending on viscosity.

These are just a few of the mixer options available in the Silverson product range; you can find out more about additional models, such as bottom entry mixers and pilot scale batch mixers, on the Silverson website. Or visit stand E20 at the PPMA show and talk to Silverson about your mixing requirements.