Plough Shear Mixer
Plough Shear Mixer Overview
The Plough Shear Mixer is a high-intensity horizontal batch mixer designed to handle demanding mixing applications involving cohesive powders, granules, and semi-wet materials. Its key component — the plough-shaped mixing elements — generates strong axial and radial turbulence to break agglomerates, disperse additives, and ensure fast, homogeneous blending even with materials of vastly different densities and particle sizes.
Ideal for mixing that requires rapid dispersion, coating, or granulation, it is widely used in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and construction materials industries.
Working Principle
The mixing vessel is a horizontal cylindrical shell housing centrally mounted, plough-shaped agitators. As the agitator shaft rotates, the ploughs lift and toss materials into a three-dimensional vortex, causing intense mixing throughout the batch. Optional chopper assemblies can be added to assist with breaking down lumps or for high-shear dispersion of liquids into solids. The result is uniform mixing in significantly reduced cycle times.
Key Features
- High-speed plough-shaped agitators for aggressive yet controlled mixing
- Optional high-speed choppers for breaking lumps or emulsifying components
- Short mixing times with high mixing efficiency (CV ≤ 5%)
- Designed for difficult-to-mix powders and granular blends
- Available in carbon steel, SS 304, SS 316, and Hastelloy
- Optional jackets for heating/cooling operations
- Quick and full discharge via bomb bay or flush bottom valves
- Dust-tight and vacuum-capable designs available
Applications
- Dry powder mixing with small liquid additions (e.g., colorants, oils)
- Chemical formulations (detergents, catalysts, polymers)
- Construction materials (grouts, cement blends, tile adhesives)
- Agrochemicals (pesticides, seed coatings, fertilizers)
- Pharmaceuticals (granulation, excipient blending)
Technical Specifications
Parameter | Specification Range | Remarks |
Working Volume | 200 to 20,000 Liters | Custom-built sizes available |
Mixing Time | 3 – 10 minutes | Depends on material and mixing intensity |
Agitator Speed | 30 – 300 RPM | Variable speed via VFD |
Power Consumption | 7.5 kW – 110 kW | Based on size and material viscosity |
Construction Material | SS 304, SS 316, Carbon Steel, Hastelloy (opt.) | GMP- and FDA-compliant models available |
Optional Chopper Speed | Up to 3600 RPM | For deagglomeration and fast dispersion |
Sealing Options | Mechanical seals / Stuffing box / Lip seals | Suitable for powders and semi-wet materials |
Temperature Control | Jacketed or coil-type designs for heating/cooling | Steam, thermal oil, or chilled water supported |
Discharge Valve Options | Knife gate, slide gate, bomb bay, butterfly | Ensures full and fast batch emptying |
Surface Finish | Mirror / Matte / Electro-polished | For pharma, food, or corrosive material use |
Variants Available
- Plough Shear Mixer with Choppers – For intensive mixing and fast lump breaking
- Vacuum Plough Mixer – For drying and moisture-sensitive applications
- Jacketed Plough Mixer – For thermal control during mixing
- Explosion-Proof Model (ATEX Compliant) – For volatile or hazardous powders
- Pilot-Scale Plough Mixers – For formulation development and testing
Downloads
Looking to speed up your powder mixing process?
Talk to our engineers at PM Industries and Process Equipment Pvt. Ltd. for a tailored Plough Shear Mixer designed around your material characteristics and process goals.