Z-blade

In batch processing, the various additives are mixed with the prepolymer component in a jacketed horizontal (Z-blade) or vertical (helicone or spiral) mixer. Prior to this, however, a high-speed liquid mixer is used to dis-... 

For the batch mixing of viscous pastes and doughs using ribbon impellers and Z-blade mixers, the tanks may be mounted horizontally. In such units, the working volume of pastes and doughs is often relatively small, and the mixing blades are massive in construction. 

Z-blade mixers Shearing and kneading by the specially shaped blades Mixing heavy pastes, creams and doughs Bakery industry, mbber doughs, plastic dispersions... 

A vertically arranged rotor system consisting of protruding arms revolves within a cylindrical chamber fitted with stationary deflector protrusions. The combination of the movable rotor and static protrusions effectively mix the diced rubber feed and solvent by turbulent flow. It is usual to have at least three speed possibilities and thus lump-free preparation of the product is possible in relatively short mixing times. Mixing times for these machines is considerably less than for the Z-blade mixer. 

The horizontal mixers normally used consist of a w shaped mixing bowl with two Z blades (Figure 2). These mixers do not have a removable bowl so the dough has to be tipped out. The mixers can deliver large amounts of energy at low speeds. 

Pretzels are made from a very stiff dough that is made from a low protein soft wheat flour, e.g. one made from a soft white winter wheat. The water level would be only 38 42%, with 0.25% yeast and 1% shortening, 1 % salt and 1 % dry malt. The dough would be mixed in a Z blade mixer and then left to prove for up to 4 hours. 

Ellis, S.P., Gray, K.R. and Biddlestone, A.J., Mixing evaluation of a Z-blade mixer developed as a novel solid state bioreactor. Food Bioprod. Proc., 72 (1994) 158-162. 

The capsule is broken open in a shear mode such as that in a Waring blender or a Z-blade type mixer ... 

Preparation of Plastisol. In all cases the plastisols were prepared on a Wink-worth-Z blade mixer and degassed before use at less than 0.1 mm. of Hg. The same order of mixing and similar mixing and degassing times were employed. A liquid cadmium-barium stabilizer was used. 

Low-Shear Granulators. These are the traditional granulators and are of the planetary type (e.g., Hobart, Collette) or the kneading type (Z-blade mixers). Another type of these low-shear granulators consists of a V-blender with an intensifier bar (e.g., Patterson-Kelley). 

In this study, the foregoing methodology of dimensional analysis was applied to a kneading process of drug-cyclodextrin complexation. Aoustin kneader with dual Z blades was instrumented for torque measurements and multiple runs were made at two scales (2.5 and 5L). 

BMCs are manufactured in a large hopper where all the ingredients are mixed with Z-blades for a set time. 

Judat recommended [245] the following relationship for the calculation of the Ne value of turbine stirrers with z blades, which do not influence one another (Ab/D > 0.75), on the same shaft ... 

The Z-blade mixer is another twin trough mixer and is commonly used for pastes as well as powders (Figure 3.4). The polished Z-blades make this one of the easier convective mixers to clean between operations. 

Figure 3.4 Winkworth Z-blade mixer (courtesy Winkworth Machinery)...

Ashton and Valentin compared the performance of an Airmix, Nautamix, Oblicone and Z-biade mixer using equi-sized particles of sand and calcite. The mixture quality achieved approached that of the random mixture quality in all four mixers but this condition was achieved most rapidly in the Airmix followed by the Oblicone, Nauta and Z-blade mixers. When testing the effect of mixer variables on the quality of mixing achieved it was found that the tumbler mixer permance was very dependent on rotational speed. 

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