Fluid Mixing Equipment Design

Fluid mixing equipment for the pharmaceutical industry includes conventional and specialized equipment in a range of sizes. Laboratory and development mixing equipment establish the chemistry and basic process requirements for mixing applications. Some applications are easily accomplished with simple portable mixers in cylindrical tanks. Other applications involving larger quantities use various types of top-entering mixers. Top-entering mixers can be used in open or covered tanks. Covered tanks can be designed to prevent ambient contamination or for operation at elevated or vacuum pressures. Bottom-entering, magnetically driven mixers have been developed to handle a range of common applications while providing mixing capability without a rotating shaft seal. Side-entering mixers find applications in storage tanks, where liquid circulation is needed to maintain or improve uniformity. Much of the liquid mixing equipment for the pharmaceutical industry requires special features, usually focused on thorough cleaning, no contamination, or sterile conditions.