Mixer drives do two jobs at same time

Problem: . The mixtures may start off very viscous and then become less so when agitated, or alternatively, start off at low viscosity and become much stiffer. If processed in a mixing vessel, this either requires running in batch mode, changing impeller speed during processing, or processing in at least two separate vessels, running the mixture from one vessel to the other when the properties of the contents change. Solution: Sumitomo Drive Technologies offers what it describes as a "Dual stacked mixer drive arrangement" that allows two impellers to be driven within the same mixing vessel through two concentric drive shafts. One impeller would normally be mounted near the base of the vessel, and the other further up. The impeller running in the more viscous part of the fluid would be the one running slower. The arrangements are special versions of the company's standard mixer, agitator and clarifier drives, designed to cope with hostile environments and shock loads of up to 500%. Speed control can be achieved either using inverters or mechanical variators. Applications: UK Sales Manager Alan Findlow told Eureka that he had just sold five dual units to a company based in Eire, and that typical applications for such products included paint and waste water treatment. In the latter case, the low speed agitator would be used to keep the sludge stirred up in the bottom of the vessel. The company has recently changed its name from Sumitomo Cyclo Europe to Sumitomo Drive Technologies. TS Sumitomo Drive Technologies