Dispersion Unit For The Pharmaceutical Industry

The CMC mixing unit is a system that is specifically engineered to facilitate the rapid dispersion of hydrocolloid products, including carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), flours, carbopol, pectin, and guar or xanthan gum. Due to their numerous properties, these additives are extensively employed in the industrial sector as thickeners, jellifying agents, stabilisers, and complexing agents.

The ATEX version of this equipment is intended for use with products that have the potential to generate an explosive atmosphere. The primary application is the production of hydroalcoholic gels, which typically contain a substantial quantity of alcohol.

These are the primary components of hydroalcoholic gels:50-80% alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol)Water: 0-40%0-20% glycerin0.5-5% gelling agents (e.g., carbopol, hydroxypropyl cellulose)
Operating principle

The desired colloidal solution is typically obtained by diluting hydrocolloid compounds in water, which are typically available in dry powder form.
It is challenging to achieve a homogeneous mixture using a conventional agitator when these powders come into contact with water, as lumps form rapidly. In order to resolve this issue, this mixing unit includes a rotor-stator mixer located at the base of the tank. This mixer shears the product, thereby enhancing the contact area between the water and the additive.
An agitator of the cowles type is installed in the tank to facilitate the efficient circulation of the powder to the lower head of the mixer, as well as to enhance the dispersion time.In order to guarantee that the product is thoroughly mixed, it may be necessary to employ an additional anchor-type agitator when the process necessitates the use of high concentrations of gelling agents, as the product can become extremely viscous.