Side Entry Mixers

As viscosity increases, more torque is required to generate useful circulation and the effective reach of the mixer jet can decrease. Mixer power, impeller diameter, operating speed and positioning should therefore be selected around the actual viscosity range, including any changes caused by temperature.

Belt drives can provide a simple, economical means of achieving the required mixer speed and can offer some flexibility in speed ratio. Gear drives are often preferred where higher torque, compact transmission or heavy continuous-duty operation is required. AxFlow’s Plenty side entry range includes both gear and belt drive configurations.

Because the mixer shaft penetrates the tank wall below the liquid level, seal integrity is critical to product containment and plant safety. The correct seal arrangement depends on product properties, pressure, temperature and hazard level. AxFlow’s side entry range includes single, double and high-temperature mechanical seal options.

Effective sludge control depends on generating enough velocity along the tank floor to keep solids moving. Mixer angle, impeller thrust, tank diameter, fluid density and solids characteristics all influence performance. Swivel-angle side entry mixers can be particularly useful because they can direct flow across different areas of the tank floor.

Potential causes include shaft misalignment, worn bearings, impeller damage, hydraulic imbalance, foundation or nozzle flexibility, and operation outside the intended process conditions. Because the mixer is mounted through the tank wall, both the mixer and the tank support structure should be considered when investigating vibration.