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Glossary of Mixing Terminology
In powder processing, agglomeration is defined as the process of amassing material fines into cohesive units like pellets or granules. Simply put, powder agglomeration means making fine powdery particles stick together to form larger particles that are easier to handle.
In bulk material processing, coating is the process of altering the material characteristics of particles only on their outermost surface in order to protect the material characteristics underneath. Coating often takes place directly after or as a final stage in industrial mixing processes.
Drying is a mass transfer process. All mass transfer processes involve moving mass from one location or phase to another. In the case of industrial powder drying, the liquid solvent to be removed is almost always water. This is typically done by applying heat, thus causing the water to evaporate.
Emulsification refers to the attempted mixing of two or more immiscible liquids such as oil and water.
Bulk materials are referred to being in a fluidised state if the material almost behaves like a liquid under the influence of mechanical movement.
In bulk material handling, “mixing” and “homogenization” are essentially synonyms. However, among processing experts, homogenization refers to a specific type of mixing.
While mixing processes always involve the incorporation of diverse components, the definition of homogenization is achieving an even distribution of diverse components within a mixture or pile. A homogenous mixture is one that is uniform in particle size, moisture, color, and temperature.
Instantising is used to provide powdery substances with high wettability, dispersibility, solubility and flow ability
Creation of spherical particles from a powdery mix by using a liquid additive. Pellets generally have a higher density than agglomerates and are very compact.
Qualifying of process engineering equipment such as mixers and mixing-dryers refers to documented testing to establish whether the equipment meets the requirements specified for the process.
This parameter usually describes the quality of the product-contacting and external surfaces of process equipment.
Introduction of solid particles into a liquid, where they are held in suspension through mechanical forces. A heterogeneous mixture that has a tendency of phase separation.
An area within a process engineering apparatus that is not reached during a process step.
Contact drying, convection drying, reaction control, stripping, separation of fluids under pressure-, vacuum excitation and temperature control
Validation provides documented proof that a process or system satisfies the specified requirements during practical application. To this end the devices used (e.g. mixers) have to be qualified in advance.