Lab Dispersers and Laboratory Homgenizers

How to specify a lab disperser

Lab Dispersers are available from numerous mixer manufacturers and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Laboratory Dispersers are mainly used to mix and blend liquids and/or liquids+solids on a small scale volume using a high speed lab style mixer, with a dispersion style mixing blade.

A lab Disperser is simple a high speed mixing device, which consists of a motor (air or electrically operated) which traditionally runs over 1000rpm, the mixer housing, a mixer shaft which is typically in stainless steel, and the mixing disperser blade, or mixing disc. The mixer is mounted in a stand, and a stainless or plastic vessel is used to hold the mixture.

We often hear, “we are tired of clunky old technology lab dispersers and the poor selection of lab homogenizers available”. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of options for small scale lab and pilot high shear mixing. Air operated dispersers are very common, as they provide an intrinsically safe motor which is safe for use with solvents and alcohols. The air motor also provides variable speed operation with a simple air control valve. Electric motors are also available in either TEFC or XP ratings, and can be used with a variable speed controller.

Lab Dispersers are most commonly used with high shear disperser blades (these are the mixing impellers used on dispersers). These blades are also called disperser discs, high shear paddles, sawtoothed disperser blades, and some other high shear blades used are rotor-stator heads, squirrel cages, rushten turbines, and mixed flow style impellers.

Lab Dispersers are used for many applications such as particle size reduction, deagglomeration, high shear emulsions and dispersions, rapid solids wetting, paint and coating mixing. We also see a wide range of laboratory applications in the sanitary and biotech areas where lab high shear mixers are used for sanitary high speed mixing and for pharmaceutical mixing and preparations.

HOW TO SPECIFY A LAB DISPERSER
Information to supply to your lab mixer vendor is important, here is the typical process data required to properly choose the right lab mixer for your needs:

1. what is being mixed
2. mixture viscosity and sg and solids %
3. describe the mixer results desired
4. mixing vessel style, size, volume
5. disperser materials of construction (ie: stainless wetted mixer parts)
6. is the vessel an open top or closed mixing container
7. if a sealed mix vessel what is the port to install the mixer, and any pressure/vacuum requirements
8. air or electric motor
9. speed range desired if known
10. price range desired is helpful, typical lab dispersers range from $400-$4000+
11. what type of mixing impeller is desired
12. any other pertinent process information, mixture info, or specifics that may be helpful to size the right disperser for the application

White Mountain Process are suppliers of lab dispersers, high shear laboratory mixers, lab homogenizers, ultrasonic dispersers, sanitary lab mixers, and custom pilot scale dispersion systems. There is a very WIDES RANGE OF LAB DISPERSERS AND HOMOGENIZERS available so it is important to find the best technology and cost effective solution for your requirements. If you have any questions on laboratory homogenizers or lab dispersers please contact us at sales@wmprocess.com.