Long axis agitators

Long axis agitators are available in versions with and without their own motor. Those with a motor are designed so that the gearbox and the motor are located outside the container and the drive shaft, to which the agitator blades are attached, is fed through the container wall. The external motor and gearbox unit allows for easy maintenance without opening the container. Due to their permanent installation, rod agitators are often used in containers with largely constant filling levels. Long axis agitators can usually be swiveled and their angle of inclination adjusted to more effectively counteract the formation of floating layers. Depending on the size of the agitator blades and the motor power, this type of agitator can be designed for high speeds for thin mixtures or low speeds for thicker media. Lower speeds result in larger impeller diameters, while high speeds result in smaller impeller diameters. Since long axis agitators protrude far into the container due to the drive shaft, they are often used in large containers with large diameters. Versions mounted close to the bottom with very short agitator shafts to prevent the formation of sinking layers are considered special forms and are usually not rotatable. For the agricultural sector, there are also tractor-powered agitator versions. In this case, the agitator is not driven by its own motor, but by the tractor's power take-off shaft. The agitator is therefore not in continuous operation, but is only used temporarily to stir the slurry pit.

Submersible mixers

Submersible mixers are a proven type of mixer. The propeller, motor and other components form a unit that is completely immersed in the substrate. Therefore, the entire housing must be waterproof and corrosion-resistant. The agitator is attached to a vertical guide mast and can be moved up and down on it. By positioning it at different heights, submersible motors are often used in applications with changing filling levels.

Central mixers

Central mixers are slow-running agitators with approx. 10-50 rpm and are used for mixing highly viscous substrates in very large containers, the diameter of which corresponds approximately to the height of the container. Only with this ratio can central agitators develop their full flow potential. They are guided through the middle of concrete or stainless steel ceilings and are therefore only suitable for these. The paddles attached to the mast generate a downward flow at the agitator and an upward flow at the edge of the tank. This form of flow generation, which is characteristic of central agitators, ensures effective vertical mixing. With the above-mentioned ratio of diameter to height, this is generally the most energy-efficient way of agitating containers.

Paddle agitators

Paddle agitators are attached to a counter bearing in the middle of the container and to the container wall. Large paddles are attached to the agitator shaft to ensure mixing. Paddle agitators are an effective solution for stirring up floating and sinking layers in demanding processes. Optimum mixing of the substrate can be guaranteed, particularly in combination with other types of agitator such as rod agitators or submersible motor agitators.