Short retention times, constant reproducibility, the highest degree of homogeneity of the final product and versatile application. These are the features that distinguish the Ploughshare® Mixer for continuous operation developed by Lödige Process Technology. It is thus the ideal mixer for a multitude of applications. The low-maintenance mixer is suitable for processing powdery, fibrous or granular solids, as well as liquids and pastes. Granulation processes can also be carried out with the continuous mixer with a minimum dwell-time.
The continuous mixer is based on a mechanically generated, turbulent fluidized bed process that has been patented by Lödige. During this process, the Ploughshare® shovels rotate close to the wall in a horizontal, cylindrical drum. Their peripheral speed and geometric shape are configured to take the mixing components off the drum wall and toss them into the free mixing compartment from the product bed. Due to continuous mixing, the entire product is intensively blended, even at high material throughputs. The special shape and arrangement of the mixing elements ensure transport of the product. Excellent homogeneity and consistent reproducibility of the final product are achieved during short mixing with retention times of only 25 to 60 seconds.
Universally applicable
In addition to outstanding efficiency of the machine, universal applicability is a further feature of the sophisticated mixer concept. Beyond the processing of dry, powdery, granular or fibrous solids, it can be equipped for numerous other mixing tasks. Liquids can be added to moisten the product components, and pastes and liquids can also be processed. Furthermore, the installation of choppers in the mixing drum permits agglomerates to be opened up during the mixing process with targeted granulation. Other equipment options are a heated or cooled drum, head pieces and a shaft, as well as an axially split mixing drum for short maintenance intervals that permits the removal of the complete mixing mechanism in the shortest possible time. In times of particular demand, highly wear-resistant surfaces, high-strength structural steels, stainless steels and special materials further increase the high availability of the continuous Ploughshare® Mixer. The wide range of different sizes also makes for high versatility of the mixer.
The smallest model with a drum volume of 5 litres has a throughput capacity of 0.25m³/h, depending on retention time and filling level. The largest machine built by Lödige to date was also a continuous Ploughshare® Mixer with a capacity of 57,000 litres
