This year Silverson Machines, exhibiting on stand G60 at the PPMA show, will be demonstrating two of their new powder/liquid mixers for the first time. On the stand will also be two other new laboratory scale mixers, again being shown for the first time, as well as mixers from the existing Silverson product line ranging from laboratory scale to full production.
At this year’s PPMA show Silverson Machines will be launching a new version of the Silverson Flashmix, which is supplied with a powder feed wand attachment for powder incorporation, rather than the standard hopper. The wand is attached to the Flashmix via a specially modified powder inlet manifold which creates a vacuum, drawing the powder up through the wand and into the vessel. This enables the machine to suck powders into the mix straight from their original containers, minimising handling requirements. This is particularly useful for free-flowing powders which are prone to dusting, for example Aerosil. Other applications include sugars, salt and gums and thickeners such as pectin and starch.
For the first time, visitors to the stand will also be able to see the Silverson FMX5 in action. Launched earlier this year the FMX5 is the first laboratory scale powder/liquid mixer designed and engineered by Silverson.
The FMX5 is a laboratory scale version of Silverson’s production scale Flashmix mixers and provides a simple, effective and hygienic means of powder/liquid mixing on a Laboratory scale. It is also able to process higher viscosity mixes.
The FMX5 is suitable for small scale manufacturing and R&D work with a typical batch size of up to 10 litres, depending on viscosity. The mixer offers an accurate means of predicting the performance of the production scale Flashmix, making the scale-up process a simple task.
The mixer recirculates the liquid from the vessel and powder is loaded into the stainless steel hopper. Once the powder feed valve is opened the high pumping action forces the powder into the high velocity liquid stream. The powder and liquid ingredients are introduced straight into the high shear zone of the mixer, and are instantaneously combined as they are subjected to intense hydraulic and mechanical shear. A brief period of recirculation results in an agglomerate-free, homogeneous dispersion in a matter of minutes. Different designs of powder feed hopper are available to assist with the flow of more cohesive powders.
The FMX5 offers proven performance on a wide range of powders including gums (CMC, Guar, Gum Arabic, Pectin, Xanthan), sugars, flours, milk powder, Carbopol, Bentonite and many others across a range of industries. The introduction of this new Powder/Liquid mixer to the Silverson product ranges opens up the possibility of many more applications than were previously possible at laboratory scale.
The FMX5 is also available in an Ultra-Hygienic specification, the FMX5 UHS is recommended for hygienic applications and clean industries and offers single or double mechanical sealing arrangements.
Also being exhibited on the stand of the first time are the newly launched Verso variants, the Verso-HV, a pilot scale In-Line mixer which matches the capabilities of the production scale Silverson HV In-Line mixers and the Verso UHS for applications with more stringent and demanding hygiene requirements.
The Verso-HV incorporates a unique and innovative “pumping rotor” design that substantially increases its self-pumping capacity, ideal for processing higher viscosity products. High flow rates are maintained as viscosity rises, often eliminating the need for an additional feed pump when processing many higher viscosity products in the food industry including gums and thickening agents and Mayonnaise. The laboratory scale model is ideal for R&D and small scale production and facilitates easy scale up to Silverson’s production scale UHS-HV Series In-Line mixers as it is built to the same fine tolerances.
The Verso UHS is an Ultra-Hygienic version of the standard machine and is manufactured with Silverson-designed hygienic single mechanical shaft seals, which can be converted to hygienic double mechanical shaft seals. It has a crevice-free construction and is designed for Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) and Sterilise-In-Place (SIP) operation. UHS-specification versions of the FMX5 and the Verso-HV are also available.
As well as the new models, visitors will also be able to see working examples of the other mixers in the Silverson product range including Batch, Ultramix, Bottom Entryand Laboratory mixers.
If you’re visiting the show, you can find Silverson Machines on stand G60.
If you’d like to arrange a trial, discuss your mixing application or get more information about any of the mixers in the Silverson product line, visit the Silverson websiteor email sales@silverson.co.uk
