Zeppelin Systems, Friedrichshafen, Germany, reports that its CMQ container mixer complies fully with the recently issued EU type examination certificate relating to ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, whereby the CMQ has gained approval for mixing bulk materials in accordance with equipment category 1/3 D (zone 20 inside, zone 22 outside).

The company points out that mixing of polymer powders, additives, pigments or flours in the plastics, chemical, master batch and food industries not only requires comprehensive know-how in process engineering, but also a fundamental understanding of the material properties. Zeppelin Systems has been a pioneer in this field for years and, with its CMQ container mixer, being a machine that meets the requirements for mixing quality, dispersion, efficiency and, above all, safety.

Explosive substances do not always reveal their physical properties at first glance. For example, even everyday products such as plastics, additives or flour can lead to a dust explosion during mixing if they come into contact with an ignition source in a certain concentration as a dust-air mixture. This can be, for example, a static discharge or a hot surface that ignites the mixture. If such an event happens, it can cause a lot of damage to the plant. Therefore, it is important to avoid potential hazards in advance of the mixing process. The patented CMQ container mixer demonstrates through its EU type examination certificate that it can meet the requirements of dust explosive substances. Thus, it not only offers the operator a high degree of safety, but removes the need for inerting. This allows the user to concentrate on the most important consideration: optimum mixing results.

In addition to meeting high safety standards, the CMQ guarantees very high dispersion thanks to its innovative design. The airfoil mixing tool in combination with the winglets ensures good formation of the mixing stream, fast material movement and keeps mixing resistance low. This protects the products and can reduce temperature rise to a minimum. Furthermore, the airfoil shape causes a high suction effect on the material, resulting in in a high lifting force and faster mixing. The customer thereby obtains the desired mixing result within three to four minutes. Another advantage of the mixing tool is the high distance to the bottom and wall of the mixing container. This causes hardly any material pressure and thus reduces deposits to a minimum.

Compared to conventional container mixers, Zeppelin Systems has optimised the critical components to simplify the cleaning process many times over and save valuable time during cleaning. The entire mixing head, the mixing tool and the mixing container are considered critical. If deposits accumulate here, cross-contamination can occur in subsequent mixes, making the mixture unusable for further use. Therefore, Zeppelin Systems has designed its mixing head to be significantly different from conventional mixing heads. By replacing the usually trough-shaped mixing head with a polished, flat plate cleaning is much easier and faster. This is supported by the very large distance between the mixing tool and the mixer bottom, which facilitates the accessibility. In addition, almost no deposits on the tool and mixing plate contribute to a fast cleaning process.

The shape and polished surface of the mixing tool of the CMQ mixer also prevent deposits. In addition, the mixing tool is very light, weighing only 17kg for a 1000-litre mixer, so the user can disassemble and replace it very quickly and easily. This saves valuable time when operating the mixer by reducing cleaning time by up to 80 per cent. This not only increases productivity, but also machine availability, saving five-figure sums per year.

The CMQ mixer, which has already been tested many times, not only combines efficiency, quality and safety in one product, but also offers operators a range of options to suit their needs on site - from different mixer sizes to automatic processes and predictable maintenance cycles. www.zeppelin-systems.com

 

CMQ container mixer from Zeppelin Systems

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