Paddles

Principles of Paddles:

• This mixers operate on the principle of convective mixing.
• It move through the material, pushing and folding it to achieve thorough mixing.
• This type of mixing is gentle and suitable for materials that are sensitive to shear.

Construction of Paddles:

1. Paddles: Large flat or curved blades mounted on a central shaft.
2. Shaft: Central shaft that holds the paddles.
3. Drive System: Motor and gearbox to rotate the shaft and paddles.
4. Vessel: U-shaped or cylindrical container that holds the material to be mixed.
5. Support Frame: Sturdy frame to hold the vessel and drive system.

Working:

• Materials are loaded into the vessel.
• The paddles rotate, moving through the materials and creating a mixing action.
• This rotation lifts and folds the materials, ensuring thorough mixing.
• Mixing continues until the desired homogeneity is achieved.
• The mixed product is discharged through a bottom valve or port.

Uses:

• Food Industry: Mixing dough, cereals, and dry powders.
• Pharmaceuticals: Blending powders and granules.
• Chemical Industry: Mixing fine chemicals and dry materials.

Merits:

• Gentle mixing action, suitable for delicate materials.
• Simple design and operation.
• Can handle a wide range of viscosities.
• Low energy consumption.

Demerits:

• Less efficient for very fine powders or materials with significant density differences.
• May not provide adequate mixing for high-shear applications.
• Limited to batch processing.

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