Summary

The Turbulizer is a continuous mixer used to mix 2 or more powders or powders with liquids. A high speed-rotating rotor with paddles in a horizontal cylindrical vessel continuously mixes and disperses the material. The high rotor tip speed of 20 to 30m/s breaks up agglomerates in the feed material and achieves quick dispersion. The Turbulizer is used not only for mixing of powders but also for mixing of powders with liquids where generation of agglomerates is common. Mixers with low speed and low shear have problems with this type of mixing, so a Turbulizer can be used downstream of a low speed mixer as a final mixer. Adjustment of the impact, shear force and residence time is done with the rotation speed, paddle angle, and paddle clearance. A version with a split vessel (TCX model) makes changing paddles settings and cleaning easier. Optionally, a heating/cooling jacket, a PTFE coating to prevent material buildup is available.
(TURBULIZER is a registered trademark of HOSOKAWA MICRON CORPORATION in Japan)

Fig.1 shows the configuration of the Turbulizer. A rotor with multiple paddles rotates within a horizontal cylindrical vessel. The paddles rotate at a tip speed of approximately 20 to 30 m/s. The high-speed rotation disperses the material, which forms a spiral track in the vessel eventually being discharged from the outlet. The high-speed fluidization condition and horizontal movement results in good mixing in a short time and prevents short passing of material. The residence time can be adjusted with the paddles. The paddle settings are adjusted according to the material flow characteristics. Usually they are aligned in such a way where a forward force is exerted on the material at the inlet pushing the material toward the outlet, the middle paddles are aligned parallel to the shaft, and the paddles at the outlet are aligned so they exert a reverse force on the material. But in extreme cases, the paddles may be set so they are all exerting reverse force on the material.