Stirring tank

Types of stirring tanks

A stirring tank, also known as a mixing tank or blending tank, refers to a vessel/container that is used to stir/mix/along substances. It is typically equipped with stirring blades or other stirring devices and is widely used in industries like food production, chemical engineering, and medicine.

• According to the source of the power supply:

• The manual stirring tank refers to the stirring tank that usually uses the hand power to stir and is equipped with a stirring handle as well as a stick. The manual stirring tank is appropriate for some small quantities of liquids that are difficult to move and can also be used to sample liquids and take them for testing.
• The electric stirring tank refers to the stirring tank, which is equipped with electric motors and stirring blades. It can provide constant and even stirring power, which is suitable for handling liquids with a large volume and high viscosity.

• According to the shape:

• A round bottom stirring tank usually has a round bottom and can make uniform mixing and blending liquids. It is widely used in various industrial and food manufacturing processes.
• A conical bottom stirring tank refers to a tank with a conical bottom, which is usually used for collecting and discharging solid materials. The conical bottom can facilitate the discharge of solid materials, which is suitable for industrial processes that need to handle solid materials.

• According to the material involved with the tank:

• The stainless steel stirring tanks, the major percentage of which is manufactured out of stainless steel, possess enduring qualities against corrosion and bacteria. Frequently, they could be sterilized with heat, which makes them ideal for use in fields like the beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries, among others.
• The plastic stirring tank, which is generally made of food-grade PP, PPR, or PE materials, is non-toxic and harmless and meets food-grade standards. When used in the food industry, it can guarantee the safety and health of food. Plastic stirring tanks are easy to clean and lightweight, making them ideal for food processing and storage.

Specification and maintenance of stirring tanks

Specification

• Volume:

  The volume of stirring tanks can vary greatly, typically providing volume data from less than 1 liter to thousands of liters, depending on the application and industry.

• Material:

  Common stirring tank materials are stainless steel and carbon steel. The stirring tank made of stainless steel is not easy to rust, and the carbon steel stirring tank is sturdy and wear-resistant.

  For example, the 304 stainless steel stirring tank is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its excellent corrosion resistance and sanitation.

  Carbon steel with epoxy coating is often used in industries that require high-strength materials, such as construction and chemical.

• Agitator type:

  The stirring tanks adopt different agitator types, including propellers, paddle agitators, and shearing emulsifiers, which are suitable for liquids with different viscosities and mixing requirements.

• Power:

  The stirring tank power is usually in wattage, representing the power of the stirring tank motor. Common power ranges from a few hundred watts to several thousand watts, depending on the volume and mixing requirements.

Maintenance

Do a regular routine check-up of the stirring tank.

Before performing maintenance, check the stirring tank first. Ensure that the working environment is safe. Empty the tank before inspection and maintenance. Check the external condition first. Inspect the power supply lines and electrical components to ensure that there is no corrosion, loose connection, or any potential safety hazard.

Then, check the stirring part of the tank. Check the blades of the stirrer to see if they are bent or worn, and ensure that the bearing and shaft seal do not leak. Lubricate the bearing, which supports the stirrer shaft, to keep it running well.

If there are any minor faults in the inspection, repair them immediately to avoid major faults and potential safety hazards later.

In addition to regular inspections and repairs, it is also important to clean the stirring tank thoroughly.

Usage of cleaning agents is determined based on the nature of the materials. But generally, both the food-grade stirring tank and non-food grades can be cleaned using alkaline cleaning agents.

Industry scenarios for stirring tanks

In the food industry, stirring tanks are crucial for processing various types of fluids, such as dairy products, juices, sauces, syrups, and liquid bread dough. The stirring tank ensures these mixes' uniformity, consistency, quality, and taste. A stirring tank with temperature regulation is important for fermentation and dairy processing industries. The stirred tank can ensure that yeast remains alive.

Pharmaceutical and chemical industries use an agitator stir tank to uniformly mix active and inactive ingredients when creating medications, treatments, or chemical compounds. This guarantees that each dosage form, whether a tablet, liquid, or injectable, contains the proper proportion of active components.

Cosmetics and personal care products industries use stirring tanks to uniformly blend oils, emulsions, fragrances, colors, and other components used in lotions, creams, shampoos, and makeup. A compounded product with stirring tanks meets industry requirements and is suitable for use by the general public.

Plastic and polymer processing factories use an agitator stirring tank to create compounds, color blends, or additives used in plastics and polymers. The stirred tank ensures the total distribution of hues or chemicals in the polymer matrix.

Paint and coating manufacturing plants utilize stirring tanks to create emulsions, latexes, polymers, solvents, and other components to produce paints, coatings, and inks. The paint stirrer tank ensures uniform dispersion of pigments, fillers, and additives, assuring even application and quality of the final product.

Metals and alloys processing businesses use stirring tanks to mix metals, alloys, fluxes, and other substances in metallurgy, foundry, and metalworking applications. The stirred tank aids in attaining homogeneity and temperature control throughout metal processing operations like casting, alloying, and metallurgical reactions.

Engineering and construction industry uses stirring tanks to prepare and uniformly mix adhesives, sealants, and construction chemicals. Using a stirring tank ensures that the resultant products have the expected mechanical features and durability.

In the oil and gas sector, stirring tanks are utilized to homogenize crude oil, refined products, and chemical additives. A stirring tank maintains quality and uniformity during storage and transportation of oil and gas.

How to choose stirring tanks

• Production process analysis

  When selecting a stirring tank, it is necessary to study the production procedure. Take a close look at the technological needs, such as viscosity, temperature, and pressure. This will assist in ensuring that the selected stirring tank can meet the specific requirements of the production process.

• Choose the right material

  The choice of material for a stirring tank is critical to its service life and operating efficiency. Select the appropriate tank material according to the qualities of the liquid to be stirred and the working environment. For instance, stainless steel could be an option for its resistance to corrosive substances or high temperatures.

• Determine the volume

  The size of the stirring tank should be determined according to the scale of production. A tank that is too large could result in resource waste, while one that is too small may not satisfy production needs.

In addition, attention should be paid to the selection of stirring equipment and auxiliary devices, such as stirrers, transmission systems, sealing systems, and heating/cooling systems. The choice should be made depending on the specific requirements of the production process. Also, ensure that the stirring tank complies with the relevant standards and regulations to avoid any legal risk. Finally, consider the economic performance of the stirring tank and select an equipment model that is cost-effective according to the budget.

Stirring tank FAQ

Q1: How does a circulating tank work?

A1: A circulating tank uses central stirring, external circulating pumps, and other means to stir and mix materials. Central stirring mainly relies on the stirring speed and the size of the stirring paddles to produce shear forces and turbulence to mix materials. The circulating pumps use the material's circulation to promote mixing. Some circulating tanks use heating or cooling jackets to change temperature to influence the chemical reactions in the tanks.

Q2: What are the benefits of large-scale stirring tanks?

A2: Large-scale stirring tanks can produce goods through mass production. The cost per unit in large-scale stirring tanks will reduce. Thus, the financial efficiency will be higher. Large-scale stirring tanks can provide sufficient storage capacity for raw materials and finished products. At the same time, large-scale stirring tanks can use automation technology to realize the automatic control of parameters such as temperature, pressure, and stirring speed. Thus, the consistency and stability of product quality will be improved.

Q3: What are the drawbacks of plastic stirring tanks?

A3: Plastic tanks generally have small capacity and are not suitable for large-scale production. Besides, the mixing efficiency of plastic stirring tanks are lower than those of stainless steel or other metal materials. In addition, the durability of plastic stirring tanks is not as good as that of metal material tanks. If the temperature or acidity and alkalinity of the materials mixed are high, plastic stirring tanks are not suitable choices.

Q4: How does a storage tank differ from a stirring tank?

A4: The purpose of a stirring tank is to mix and react materials, while the function of a storage tank is to store materials. Storage tanks usually adopt fixed equipment. In contrast, stirring tanks often use movable devices, such as a central motor that stirrer. Moreover, the structure of a storage tank is usually simple, but a stirring tank is complex with many additional parts.

Q5: Do all stirring tanks need heating or cooling devices?

A5: Not all stirring tanks need heating or cooling devices. The requirement depends on the unique mixing and processing needs of materials. Some materials need to change temperatures during mixing, such as chemical reactions, while some do not need to.