Categories: IBC Mixers, Product Information

FluidPro Team

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Everything you need to know about IBC Tote Tank Mixers

IBC Mixers are a popular, portable mixing solution for a wide range of industries, allowing you to blend liquids and semi-solids within an Intermediate Bulk Container. Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about IBC mixers, their use and custom options.

What is an IBC Mixer?

An IBC Mixer is a mixer or agitator featuring a motor, gearbox, shaft and impellers, which fits directly to a standard 1000L Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC). The shaft and the impellers of the mixer rotate, causing agitation of the liquids within the tank. As IBC mixers allow for mixing within your existing IBC, they provide a portable mixing option, allowing you to combine storage, mixing and transportation of your liquids.

What applications can IBC Mixers be used for?

IBC Mixers are suitable for a wide range of applications where mixing is required within a tote tank. Common applications include:

  • Agriculture: Blending liquid fertilisers, mixing pesticides, etc.
  • Food & Beverage: Blending products such as honey, wine, dairy products, syrups, etc.
  • Cosmetics: Lotions, creams, shampoos, liquid soaps, etc.
  • Water Treatment: pH control, maintainign solids in suspension, purification, sewage treatment, sludge dewatering, etc.
  • Chemical Processing: Dosing and blending acids, resins, adhesives, cleaning solutions, etc.
  • General Mixing: Resuspending settled products, preventing sedimentation during storage, paints, inks, etc.
What types of IBC Agitators are available?

IBC mixers come in a range of designs. Bridge mount IBC mixers feature a welded stainless steel bridge, which fits exactly over the top of a standard IBC tote tank, and holds the mixer snugly in place. The FluidPro DM-10 Series IBC Mixer features a secure bridge mount for efficient agitation within a tank. Smaller IBC mixers are suitable for low viscosity liquids. Often times, these are smaller agitators that screw to the bung opening of your IBC tote tank, via a welded metal bung adaptor that holds the mixer in place. FluidPro’s DM-60 Series IBC Mixer is a small pneumatic agitator ideal for low viscosity projects and applications.

How much does an IBC Tote Mixer weigh?

Depending on the model, IBC tote mixers can weigh between 6kg for a lightweight, pneumatic model such as the DM-60, up to 35 – 40kg for a model featuring a stainless steel bridge mount, such as the DM-10.

How are IBC mixers mounted to my tank?
IBC Mixers may be mounted to your tote tank via a bridge mount, or a smaller bung adaptor, depending on the type of mixer used. To attach a bridge mount IBC mixer to your Intermediate Bulk Container, a forklift may be required to lift and lower the mixer onto the tank. FluidPro’s DM-10 model features convenient forklift slots, which allow the tines of a forklift to slide through for easier lifting and transportation.
What viscosity can IBC mixers be used for?

IBC mixers can be used with any liquids up to a viscosity of 10 000 centipoises (cPs), depending on the model used, as well as for sediment suspension. Smaller, pneumatic driven IBC mixers such as the DM-60 are suitable for products of lower viscosity, while higher viscosity mixtures are more suited to a larger IBC mixer such as the DM-10 series. Different impellers can be used to suit fluids of varying viscosities.

What motor options are available for an IBC tote agitator?

Choosing a suitable motor for your IBC mixers depends on the application they are being used for, the viscosity of the fluids being blended and the speed at which they need to be mixed. Electric motors typically come in gear driven options, for higher viscosities, or direct driven options for fluids with low viscosity. Electric motors come with optional Variable Speed Drives to control the speed of the mixing process. Pneumatic, or air-driven motors, are a popular option for high-speed, low-viscosity applications, or environments with gas, vapours, dust or other combustible materials where sparks from electric motors would pose a fire risk. For mixing volatile fluids, or for environments where vapours may be emitted from the mixing process, special explosion-proof motors are available.

What impeller options are available?

IBC mixers come with a range of impeller options to suit different processes and applications. Rounded marine blades are ideal for high-speed and low viscosity applications, while unique impellers such as ViscoPro blades, which feature funnel-shaped impellers, are ideal for fluids of high or varying viscosity. Folding impellers are a popular choice for ease of installation through the bung opening of an IBC. Folding axial flow impellers and smaller folding turbines are available to suit specific applications.

Can IBC mixers be customised?
FluidPro’s range of IBC mixers is highly customisable, and can be tailored to suit process requirements. Motors, shaft and impellers can all be customised according to project specifications, while extra features such as inline oilers and filing hoppers can be added to meet your specific needs. Talk to FluidPro to discuss your custom project requirements.
What are the benefits of using IBC mixers?

IBC mixers have transformed the way we think about fluid mixing and liquid blending. They are completely portable, combining storage, transport and mixing to reduce process stages, and allow you to complete a greater number of batches per shift to improve productivity.

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