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When you first start researching industrial mixers, it doesn’t take long before the jargon sets in. Even if the words sound familiar, their mixer-specific meanings can be very different from what you expect.
Understanding the terminology upfront not only helps you compare options more confidently, it also ensures you select the right equipment for your process, product, and production goals.
To help make your search easier, here’s a clear, inbound-friendly guide to the most common mixer terms used by manufacturers and sellers.
Common Mixer Terminology (Explained)
The following glossary breaks down the most common mixer terms: what they mean, why they matter, and how they impact your mixing process. Use it as a quick reference as you evaluate your options.
Agitators
A broad term describing a complete mixing device—including the power system, shaft, and impeller—used to agitate the contents of a vessel.
Apparent Viscosity
The viscosity (or flow resistance) of a fluid at a specific shear rate. It reflects the fluid’s consistency at a particular point along the stress-flow curve.
Axial Flow
Fluid movement from the top to the bottom of the tank, running parallel to the mixer shaft.
Coverage
The distance between the impeller and the fluid surface. Proper coverage helps reduce vortexing and ensures efficient mixing.
Emulsion
A mixture of two or more immiscible liquids—meaning they don’t naturally blend. Emulsions form when one liquid becomes suspended within another.
Flow
A measurement of the movement created by the fluid as it’s mixed. Flow and shear are generally inversely related: higher flow typically produces lower shear.
High-Shear Mixer
A mixer designed for applications requiring particle size reduction or breaking apart solids. Dispersers are the most common type and use counter-current mixing to apply intense forces.
Impellers
The rotating components that make contact with materials and transfer energy from the motor into the mix. Impellers come in various designs depending on the mixing outcome needed.
Lift
A system used to raise or lower mixers into or out of a tank or drum. Options include air lift, winch lift, manual lift, and electric lift.
Low-Shear Mixer
A type of mixer designed for gentle agitation using minimal energy. Low-shear impellers are built for smooth flow and low drag.
Off Bottom
The distance between the impeller and the bottom of the tank. The correct spacing depends on the application and affects mixing efficiency.
Radial Flow
Fluid movement from the center of the tank outward toward the vessel walls—perpendicular to the mixer shaft.
Reynolds Number
A value used to calculate flow behavior and power requirements, especially in higher-viscosity applications. It represents the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces.
Shear
A measurement of the stress placed on a fluid during mixing. Shear appears as drag, turbulence, velocity changes, and other forces acting on the blades.
Shear Dispersers
Mixers specifically designed for applications where liquids must be blended while reducing particle size or breaking apart solids.
Side-Entry Mixer
Mixers installed through the side wall of a vessel. These systems typically require specialized seals to prevent leakage.
Top-Entry Mixer
A common configuration where the mixer enters the tank from above. Suitable for both open and closed tank setups.
Viscosity
A measurement of a fluid’s thickness or resistance to flow. Measured in CentiPoise (Cp), viscosity helps determine the internal friction of the material being mixed.
Vortex
A swirling depression formed on the surface of the liquid. Vortexing is usually undesirable because it can introduce air into the mix and shorten mixer life.
Why Knowing Mixer Terminology Matters
Choosing the right industrial mixer isn’t just about horsepower or price—it’s about understanding how all the components work together to deliver consistent, reliable results. Knowing these terms helps you:
- Evaluate mixer configurations more accurately
- Communicate your needs clearly to suppliers
- Avoid overspec’ing (or underspec’ing) equipment
- Improve process outcomes and reduce operational issues
Need Help Choosing the Right Mixer?
If you’re exploring industrial mixers and want expert guidance—whether on sizing, configuration, or process optimization—we can help. Understanding the terms is step one; choosing the right equipment is step two.
Let us know what you’re mixing, and we’ll help you find the best fit.
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