FluidPro Team
When it comes to industrial mixing, it is important to choose the right mixer for your product. The mixing pattern inside a tank determines product consistency, heat transfer, solids suspension, and overall efficiency. Of all the different mixer configurations, top entry mixers are one of the most versatile and widely used across different industries such as wastewater treatment, chemical processing, cosmetics, fertiliser production, food & beverage, and mineral processing.
What are Top Entry Mixers?
Top entry mixers are mounted on the top of a tank or vessel with a vertical shaft extending down into the liquid. They are designed to handle a wide range of applications, from gentle blending to heavy-duty solid suspensions. Top entry agitators are popular as they offer:
- High Mixing Efficiency
- Excellent top-to-bottom circulation
- Ability to mix large volumes
- Flexibility in drive type, impeller style, and material selection
FluidPro’s ST-10 and LT-10 Series top entry mixers are engineered in Australia to deliver robust performance with highly efficient FluidFoil™ impellers, durable shaft options, and custom configuration for any mixing duty.
We offer a range of impeller styles to suit different processing applications, including axial flow, radial flow and high shear options. Our axial flow impellers are a popular option for efficient tank turnover.
How does axial flow work?
Axial flow refers to fluid moving parallel to the mixing shaft. In mixing, axial flow is generated by impellers. The fluid pattern in axial flow works as follows:
- Fluid is pushed downward by the impeller.
- It hits the tank floor and is spread outward.
- As the fluid moves outward, the tank baffles disrupt the circular flow and redirects the fluid vertically along the tank walls.
- It is then drawn back into the impellers, repeating the cycle.
Why is axial flow is important?
- Top-to-Bottom Mixing: Axial flow produces powerful vertical currents that movee fluid throughout the entire volume of the tank. This ensures uniformity even in deep or narrow vessels.
- Solids Suspension: For applications involving powders, granules, or slurries, axial flow reduces settling by keeping solids suspended within the tank or vessel.
- Eliminates Dead Zones: As axial flow recirculates fluid across the full height of the vessel, it prevents stagnant pockets, ensuring consistent product quality.
- Improved Heat Transfer: Top to bottom axial flow distributes heat efficiently.
- Energy efficency: Axial flow impellers move large volumes of fluid with relatively low power input. This reduces power operational costs over time.
- Versatility Across Industries: Axial flow impellers handle a wide range of viscosities, making them ideal for multi-purpose facilities that produce diverse products.
At FluidPro, our top entry mixers are equipped with Fluidfoil™ impellers, engineered specifically to maximise axial flow and minimise energy consumption. Our systems are designed to meet any process requirement, from small batch blending to large industrial operations.
If you’re unsure which mixer configuration suits your application, our expert FluidPro team is always ready to help you select or design the right solution. Contact us for more information.
