BATCH MIXERS

for Powders & Bulk Solids

NAUTA®

CONICAL SCREW MIXER

The Nauta conical screw mixer is a batch mixer, specially designed for segregative, free-flowing powders and pastes. It is famous for its low-intensity mixing. It is particularly suitable for mixing delicate products and processes that require very precise results. Nauta mixers are available in volumes ranging from 5 to 100,000 litres.

The Nauta mixer is a pioneer in mixing technology, named after Mr. J.E. Nauta, who developed the first conical Nauta mixer in 1939. His company 'Nautamix' was acquired by Hosokawa Micron in 1982.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

The Nauta conical screw mixer is a convective mixer with high mixing efficiency. It is gentle and guarantees the highest level of mixing accuracy without product distortion. The screw has an average speed of 70 rpm, whilst the arm rotates at 1 to 2 rpm. The tip speed of the screw can fluctuate between 0.5 and 2 m/s, making it suitable for all ATEX zones.

The rotating, cantilevered (free-hanging) mixing screw conveys the product from the bottom of the vessel to the product surface. The mixing screw is suspended from an orbital arm, which rotates the mixing screw along the conical inner vessel wall, causing convective mixing of particles and shear.

The speed of particles in the downward massflow, when recirculated by gravity in a conical vessel, increases as the vessel diameter decreases. The result of these simultaneous actions is a fast and intensive mixing with low consumption of power together with high standards of mixing accuracy.

Convective mixing effect

The convective mixing effect is created by 3 factors:

  • Axial mixing by the screw
  • Radial mixing by shape of the cone
  • Tangential mixing by the arm

Convective mixing effect Nauta mixer

 

 

 

  • Key features
    • Heating, cooling, drying, mixing and moistening
    • Agitated hopper to feed dryers like fluid beds with or without back mixing
    • Very energy-efficient
    • Available from 2.5 liters up to 100,000 litres
    • ATEX approved
  • Applications

    Nauta mixers are suitable for a wide range of processing activities in the pharmaceuticals, food, plastics, metals & minerals, nuclear, chemical, pigments and coatings industries. These include:

    • Gentle mixing of free-flowing and segregative powders, pastes, slurries and liquids
    • Moistening of powders
    • Coating
    • Granulation
    • Drying by heat input at atmospheric conditions or in combination with vacuum and possible liquid recovery
    • Coating of solids with liquids (with intensifier)
  • Models

    The Nauta conical screw mixer is available in many sizes. A few sizes with their typical characteristics are described below. Please note that these values are indicative only. Detailed information is available on request.

    Size[l]5001,0002,0005,00010,00020,00050,000100,000
    Vessel diameter [cm] 145 180 210 285 355 440 570 700
    Vessel height [cm] 175 225 280 380 500 600 825 900
    Height incl. motor [cm] 225 290 350 470 620 730 965 1030
    Typical motor power [kW] 2.2 5.5 7.5 15 22 37 55 90

     

    NAUTA® MINIMIX

    Following the concept of the famous classical Nauta conical mixer, this small scale model has been made available for lab environments. Although small in size, the advantages remain: high mixing accuracy, gentle mixing, complete discharge and flexible filling range.

    The Nauta Minimix is able to provide reliable results from only 0.3 litres powder content.

    Nauta® Minimix lab mixer

  • Ancillaries

    Our expert design and engineering team are happy to help you specify the right ancillary equipment to compliment the Nauta conical screw mixer. These ancillaries may include:

    • Intensifier rotor

      The conical screw mixer can be equipped with a high speed rotor for liquid addition or for de-lumping products. Rotating up to 20 m/s, this rotor creates a vortex effect and injects the liquid through the paddles directly into the product, resulting in an excellent dispersion or coating. By spraying the liquid into the mass in a vortex, you can avoid over-moistening the particles and sticking. This intensifier can replace several lump breakers.

    Intensifier rotor

    • Outlet (ball segment valve)

      Hosokawa Micron offers various outlet valves to choose from, including side outlets, slide gate bottom outlets and ball segment valves.

    ISEM ball segment valve

    • Sampler

      A sampler can be placed in the vessel wall making it possible to take samples without disturbing the mixing process. Specially-designed seals can be installed to make the sampler suitable for abrasive products as well as suitable for CIP/SIP.

    Hosokawa Micron Sampler

    • Access door

      Optimal dust and watertight closure on access door using FDA-approved seals.

    Mixing vessel access door

    • Lump breaker

      A lump-beaker can be mounted in the lower part of the vessel. When the lump-breaker is not necessary a plug is provided to install instead (flush with the vessel wall).

    Lump breaker

    • Charging hopper

      Hosokawa mixers can be provided with a charging hopper for manual charging. It can be installed on the mixer cover and is available for single as well as dual person operation. The default model comes with a hinged access door, bolted grid and dust exhaust connection. 'Vibrating' grid and/or CIP nozzles are optional.

    Charging hopper

    • Liquid injection

      Mounted through the hollow shaft, it can spray a liquid or oil just in front of the mixing screw, ensuring a good mixing.

BATCH MIXING SYSTEMS

Hosokawa Micron has been developing innovative solids processing systems for more than a century. As a result, we can draw on an unparalleled amount of know-how when designing new powder mixing systems. In a powder mixing system, the equipment, process steps and interacting parameters must all work together as an integral solution in order to ensure the optimal functionality, quality and efficiency of your total system. That's why we carefully select, configure and integrate all the components and processes when designing a powder mixing system.

TESTING & PROCESS DEVELOPMENT

Our test and process development centre in the Netherlands offers unique possibilities for testing your product to determine the most efficient process, system or plant prior to final design. We can provide laboratory-level as well as production-sized trials.

Whether you wish to test a single machine or a complete powder processing system, the same skilled and experienced staff are here to help ensure that your requirements are met, and that you are entirely satisfied with the results.

We offer process equipment and technologies from individual units to large scale bespoke system solutions. Our principle is to deliver high performance yet affordable solutions that meet our customers' demands and long term challenges.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

To learn more about our powder processing equipment and systems, contact us:

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SUSTAINABLE PROCESSING SYSTEMS

Hosokawa Micron B.V. is certified according to ISO 14001. Our certification covers all environmental themes of ISO 14001: air, soil, energy, waste, water, noise and hazardous substances. In addition, Hosawa Micron was awarded an EcoVadis Silver Medal for its sustainability achievements. EcoVadis determined that the company was among the top 7% of companies rated by EcoVadis in the special machinery industry.

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