Alfa Laval Kolding A/S
Single unit provides mixing and pumping of ingredients
The Hybrid Powder Mixer (photo; p. 17) is designed to accomplish several key functions — mixing and pumping of both wet and dry ingredients to produce a homogeneous blend — using only a single motor drive; conventional systems can require up to four separate electric motors, consuming a lot of energy. This unit can reduce power consumption by 50% compared to the conventional approach, and fewer components helps to reduce maintenance requirements. This mixer combines pump and powder-dissolving technologies in a single versatile unit. It is said to be the only hygienic powder mixer capable of drawing powder into the unit while simultaneously pumping the resulting process liquid at pressures up to 4 bars, eliminating the need for a separate discharge pump. It effectively pre-blends the powder and liquid before the mixture enters the high-shear stage, which contributes to faster and more-effective dissolution, according to the manufacturer. — Alfa Laval Kolding A/S, Kolding, Denmark