If you are in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries, you are more than slightly aware of the need to have a high quality chemical blending system. These are essential. They are the means through which you create and retain products that are consistent in color, taste and overall appearance. As is the case with most industrial equipment, you do have options. You also need to be certain that the type you choose matches the kind of blending you intend to perform in your facility.
Chemical Blending Systems: Two Basic Types
Essentially, you can divide chemical blending systems into two basic types. These are the tank or brite system and the inline blending system. The former is an older method used for decades. The latter is a newer means of blending. The characteristics of each chemical blending system is as follows:
Tanks
The tank or brite system involves, as the name suggests, the employment of vessels of various sizes. The choice depends upon the amount of ingredients to be blended together. The ingredients to be mixed are integrated into the tanks. They are poured in liquid, powder or syrup form into the mixing tank.
The intended result of this mixing action is a homogenous unit. The integration, blending or mixing process may be gentle but requires ongoing monitoring. If employers do not keep their eyes on the process, the product may come out lacking the desired consistency. In an industry where consumers expect exact replication, this is serious problem.
Inline Chemical Blending Systems
Almost the opposite to tank chemical blending is an inline chemical blending system. Instead of requiring a mixing or blending tank, the process utilizes a pipe or line. It is within this line that the components come together and blend into a homogenous unit. The process finds favor because of its basic characteristics. It:
* Requires less space than a tank system
* Can mix together several ingredients without worrying about a lack of homogeneity
* Reduces waste of materials
* Improves the accuracy of blending
* Saves time
* Reduces the number of hours and employees
These together with the increased degree of accuracy and safety, are reasons why companies may opt for an inline system.
Successful Chemical Blending Systems
To many corporations, a successful production system is one that helps them where they need it the most. By saving time and reducing manpower, inaccuracies and inconsistencies, the equipment saves them money. In competitive and hard economic times, the right chemical blending system may well be the difference between profits and losses.
