Core Equipment Components & Technical Characteristics

2.1 Mixing Tank / Blend Vessel

Structural Design

• Material Selection: The inner tank in contact with materials is made of 304L or 316L stainless steel. 316L stainless steel is preferred for acidic or alkaline raw materials (such as sodium hydroxide in dishwasher detergents) due to its stronger corrosion resistance. The inner surface roughness is controlled at Ra ≤ 0.4 μm, which is smooth and easy to clean, avoiding material residue and microbial growth.
• Tank Body Structure: The tank adopts a vertical cylindrical design with a conical or elliptical bottom to facilitate complete discharge of materials and reduce dead corners. The tank cover is equipped with feeding ports, sight glasses, and breathing valves. The feeding ports are designed with extended tubes to guide materials along the tank wall, preventing splashing and air intake.
• Temperature Control System: The outer layer of the tank is equipped with a jacketed structure, which can realize heating or cooling of materials through circulating hot water, hot oil, or cold water. The temperature control range is generally 5-95°C, and the temperature control accuracy is ±1°C, which meets the temperature requirements of different processes (such as dissolving sodium laureth sulfate in shampoos at 60-70°C).

Capacity & Configuration

• Capacity Range: Common specifications include 50L, 200L, 500L, 1000L, and 5000L, which can be selected according to production scale. Small 50-200L tanks are suitable for laboratory trial production or small-batch customization, while 1000-5000L tanks are applied in industrial mass production.
• Auxiliary Configuration: Standard configurations include liquid level gauges (magnetic flap type or radar type) to monitor material volume in real-time; sampling valves to take samples for intermediate inspection; and CIP (Clean-in-Place) cleaning interfaces to connect with cleaning systems for efficient in-tank cleaning.

2.2 Homogenizer

Working Principle

Technical Parameters

• Homogenization Precision: For dishwasher detergents containing abrasive particles, the homogenizer can reduce particle size to 5-20 μm, avoiding scratches on tableware; for shampoos requiring smooth texture, it can control the emulsion particle size within 1-5 μm, ensuring the product is delicate and easy to rinse.
• Installation Methods: There are two types: top-mounted and side-mounted. Top-mounted homogenizers are suitable for small tanks, extending into the tank from the top cover; side-mounted homogenizers are installed on the side wall of large tanks, which can reduce the height of the equipment and facilitate maintenance.
• Power Matching: The power of the homogenizer motor is matched according to the tank capacity and material viscosity. For example, a 500L tank equipped with a 7.5kW homogenizer motor can meet the homogenization needs of medium-viscosity shampoos; a 2000L tank for high-viscosity dishwasher detergents usually requires a 15-22kW motor.

2.3 Mixer / Agitator

Common Types & Applications

• Anchor Type Agitator: Suitable for high-viscosity materials (such as concentrated dishwasher detergents with a viscosity of 1000-5000 mPa·s). The agitator has a large contact area with materials, which can scrape the materials on the tank wall and bottom to avoid local overheating or under-mixing.
• Paddle Type Mixer: Applicable to low-to-medium viscosity materials (such as dilute shampoos with a viscosity of 100-500 mPa·s). The paddle rotates at a medium speed (100-300 rpm) to form radial and axial flow, promoting rapid mixing of oil and water phases.
• Propeller Type Mixer: Used for rapid dissolution of powdery raw materials (such as sodium carbonate in dishwasher detergents). The high-speed rotating propeller (300-600 rpm) generates strong axial flow, which can quickly disperse powder into liquid and prevent agglomeration.

Performance Characteristics

• Speed Regulation: Equipped with a frequency converter to realize stepless speed regulation. For example, when adding powdery materials, high speed is used to disperse; when mixing sensitive ingredients (such as essence), low speed is used to avoid volatilization.
• Drive System: Adopts a needle 摆 reducer or gear reducer, which has stable transmission and low noise. The reducer is equipped with a lubrication system to ensure long-term operation life.