Dinnissen introduces new generation of sustainable Pegasus Mixers
The twin-shaft Pegasus Mixer has established its reputation as a veritable workhorse in the product range supplied by Dinnissen Process Technology. Over the years, mixers have been developed and produced for companies in the feed, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and these mixers were adapted time and again to meet the changing demands of a wide variety of situations. Mixers were developed which could handle extremely fragile ingredients, mix very sticky and intractable products, or spray 10 to 15 different liquids onto bulk goods. Dinnissen became a specialist in precisely mixing and dosing raw ingredients in quantities ranging from very small to very large as well as doing so in accordance with very strict hygienic requirements with the help of the Pegasus Mixer. Dinnissen is now introducing a new line of Sustainable Pegasus Mixers that make energy savings of up to 60% possible for mixing processes. In doing so, Dinnissen is responding to client demand for process technology which is sustainable and economical.
Energy-efficient suspension of raw ingredients also reduces mixing time
The Pegasus Mixer is an accurate and efficient mixer which is fitted with a twin-shaft mixing mechanism rotating in the opposite direction. As a result, a unique fluidized zone is created during the mixing process which lies at the heart of the entire mixing concept. The twin-shaft mixing mechanism throws the raw ingredient particles lightly and loosely upwards with a vertical acceleration equal to the force of gravity (Froude number = ca 1). The process of causing the particles to float in air is extremely energy-efficient. This principle is the first step towards realizing overall energy savings of 60%. In addition, a situation in which the raw material particles are floating gently through the mixer is ideally suited to spraying powders and liquids onto the particles. As a result, the raw materials which need to be added and mixed in are distributed over the floating particles as soon as they are fed into the mixer.
The new series of Sustainable Pegasus® Mixers makes it possible to reduce mixing times to one third of the mixing times that can be realized using traditional ribbon mixers or single-shaft mixers. Reducing the mixing time further reduces energy consumption by 30% to 40%. In addition, the short mixing time makes it possible to increase capacity by 15% to 20%. Dinnissen recommends the standard application of a frequency control unit to allow for the stepless control of and input to the mixer. By controlling the speed of the mixer in this fashion, it becomes possible to further significantly increase the energy savings realized with the Pegasus Mixer.
Application of the Energy Control Program for sustainable mixer control
The new series of Sustainable Pegasus Mixers is also equipped with Dinnissen’s special Energy Control Program which controls the mixers as energy-efficiently as possible. This program is one of the basic elements of the system and also results in significant energy savings in comparison to traditional ribbon or single-shaft mixers. The Energy Control Program optimizes the rotation speed of the mixers and ensures that the mixing process is carried out as quickly as possible while at the same time ensuring that the desired end result is achieved. The program also has built-in functionality for determining the optimum filling capacity as well as the speed with which raw materials can be added to the mixer and with which mixtures can be discharged via extra large release valves on the bottom. The goal is simply to ensure that the entire process is carried out in as sustainable and energy-efficient a fashion as possible.
