Silverson Machines launch three Laboratory scale mixers

Oct 14, 2024

With advances in design and manufacturing technology, Silverson Machines has added three additional Laboratory-scale Mixers to the already extensive Silverson product range.

The most exciting of the new developments in the range is the FMX5, a laboratory scale version of Silverson's production scale Flashmix powder/liquid mixers. The FMX5 provides a simple, effective and hygienic means of powder/liquid mixing on a Laboratory scale and is 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, Xanthan, etc.), 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.

For higher viscosity mixing at a laboratory scale Silverson has developed the Verso-UHS-HV, a pilot scale In-Line mixer which matches the capabilities of the production scale Silverson UHS-HV In-Line mixers. The Verso-UHS-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 cosmetic industry, such as gels, slurries or gums and thickeners.

As well as being ideal for R&D and small scale production, the Verso-UHS-HV facilitates easy scale up to Silverson’s production scale UHS-HV Series In-Line mixers as it is built to the same fine tolerances.

For applications with more stringent and demanding hygiene requirements, Silverson has developed the new Verso UHS.

The Verso UHS is an Ultra-Hygienic version of the standard machine, allowing it to be used for stringent applications in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries as well as Cosmetics and other clean industries.

The Verso UHS 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. A UHS-specification versions of the FMX5 is also available.

All three mixer options can be supplied with a Vessel Package, comprising of a 20 litre stainless steel vessel, vessel stand, valve and pipework. Conversion kits are also available allowing the standard Verso to be upgraded to a Verso-UHS-HV and an FMX5, allowing even further flexibility within this new series of mixers.

If you like to find out more, contact [email protected] or visit the Silverson Machines website: www.silverson.co.uk.