Brian Gehrke, Director – National Accounts, A&B Process Systems writes exclusively for the JBT Liquid Foods Blog on why having effective mixing and blending systems is hugely important for many in the liquid foods industry.
For many liquid foods processors, having the right mixing and blending systems in place is a crucial component in being able to produce a high quality product at a cost effective price. A&B Process Systems – together with our parent company JBT Corporation – provides a wide variety of engineered agitation solutions for food and beverage mixing and blending that both create efficiencies and add value for customers.
These solutions include but are not limited to: Anchor (Slow Speed) agitation for “Swept Surface” or “Scraped Surface” designs to handle a wide range of products/viscosities; Pitched blade turbine agitators to promote axial flow, increase solids suspension, and reduce liquid blending time and when coupled with customized tank baffling, increase turbulence and eliminate troublesome, bulk product rotation; and “High Shear” high speed agitation solutions.
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A&B also offers Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis that allows us to simulate fluid motion using numerical approaches and help insure that the agitator design meets the required mixing objectives. Our CFD analysis software interfaces with our Finite Element Analysis (FEA) mechanical software that enables us to do a full structural analysis of the agitator system as well.
Mixing technology
A&B continues to explore more unique agitator designs including our Helical Swept Surface & Scrape Surface mixing technology, a design which offers more efficient pumping/turbulence during the mixing process, especially when applied to medium to high viscosity solutions. We continue to provide a multitude of combination mix systems with both anchor (Slow Speed Agitation) and High Shear mixers providing an expanded range of mix system solutions. Our latest development is our bottom entry high shear “Liquifusion” systems which are also being offered in a multitude of tank designs and combination mixer applications.
Extensive testing
Along with value added engineering, A&B’s test center allows us to provide our customers with extensive preliminary testing for these mixing applications as well as comprehensive Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) before shipment. This can include incorporation of multiple liquids and particulates, heating and cooling with tank jackets and/or steam injectors and more.
We also offer our Vacuum Powder Mix System that provides for vacuum integration of a bulk solids/powders sub-surface directly to a high or low shear mix system. These systems can convey single or multiple bulk solid ingredients to the mix tank without the problem of excessive dust and safety risks. These systems can also be applied to a wide variety of products and viscosities.