Q: How can I tell when my material has been adequately mixed? A: Unlike liquid, which mix to a molecular level, dry materials comprise discrete particles and, in most operations, depending on the sample size, the particles are never truly mixed. For instance, if a sample consists of one particle, the sample isn’t mixed. Thus, […]

Q: We use a tumble blender. I’ve heard that if you mix too long, you can undo the mixing results. What is this “de-mixing” and what causes it? A: Unlike most liquid blends, in which mutually soluble liquids form a stable blend that doesn’t degrade over time, dry mixtures have a tendency to segregate. This […]

Q:Can de-mixing occur in an impeller-driven or multiple motion mixer? A:While de-mixing is less likely in an impeller-driven or multiple-motion mixer than in a tumble blender, it can still occur. During mixing an impeller driven or multiple-motion mixer fluidizes the materials. If the batch is discharged during operation, mixing – while not totally random – […]

Q: When I analyze material samples taken from our mixer vessel, the mixing quality is okay, but I find mixing quality and weight variations in the final packages. How Can I avoid this? A: A mixture like yours, which segregates after it leaves the mixer, can cause major problems. For instance, with pharmaceuticals, critical concentration […]

Q: What’s the quickest way to determine if my mixer is causing particle degradation? A: Particle degradation can be deterioration in quality from a reaction (such as spoilage of a food product) or size change (such as breaking friable particles). Deterioration in quality is usually obvious from simply looking at the mixture. Size change is […]

Q: My materials goes through a wet granulation step in a tumble blender to avoid segregation downstream. But the granulated material contains agglomerates, formed by liquid droplets in the blender, and I have to treat the agglomerates before I can use the material downstream. How can I avoid the agglomerates. A: Wet granulation to prevent […]