Mixing Tips

Gums & Thickeners –
How to Avoid Agglomerates

Suppliers of gums and thickening agents will advise you to sprinkle the powder slowly on the liquid surface to reduce the formation of lumps and fisheyes, because the washing action of conventional agitators cannot readily break these down, resulting in inconsistent product quality and poor yield.

With a Silverson High Shear mixer the opposite approach should be taken; the powder should be added to the liquid all at once, in a controlled manner but as quickly as possible. The mixing/shearing action of the rotor/stator workhead rapidly disperses and hydrates the powder before the viscosity starts to increase, ensuring an agglomerate-free solution is achieved with maximized yield and consistent, repeatable results.