RIBBON MIXER

WHAT IS A RIBBON BLENDER?

A ribbon blender consists of a U-shaped

horizontal trough containing a double helical ribbon agitator that rotates
within. The agitator’s shaft is positioned in the center of the trough and has
welded spokes on which the helical ribbons (also known as spirals) are
welded. Since the ribbon agitator consists of a set of inner and outer helical
ribbons, it is referred to as a “double” helical ribbon agitator. The gap
between the ribbon’s outer edge and the internal wall of the container ranges
from 3 to 6 mm depending on the application.
 TYPES OF RIBBON BLENDERS

• Horizontal ribbon mixer

• Vertical ribbon mixer
HORIZONTAL RIBBON BLENDER
VERTICAL RIBBON BLENDER
 CONSTRUCTION OF RIBBON BLENDER

• Consists of horizontal cylindrical trough with semicircular bottom

usually open at the top. It is fitted with two helical blades, which
are mounted on the same shaft through the long axis of the
trough.
• Blades have both right and left hand twists.
• Blades are connected to fixed speed drive.
• It can be loaded by top loading and emptying is done through
bottom part.
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF RIBBON BLENDER

Mechanism of mixing is shear. Shear is transferred

by moving blades. High shear rates are effective in breaking lumps
and aggregates. Convective mixing also occurs as the powder bed
is lifted and allowed to cascade to the bottom of the container. An
equilibrium state of mixing can be achieved. The most effective
design of ribbon layout is the double spiral in which the outer
ribbon moves the product in one direction and the inner ribbon
moves in the opposite direction. Horizontal mixer is more efficient
than vertical mixer.
 ADVANTAGES OF RIBBON BLENDER
• Mild mixing which will not break the physical size of materials.
• More loading factor : Ribbon blenders working volume is between the 40 to
70 percent of the total nominal volume, but generally speaking, 60%
maximum loading ratio of ribbon blender when mix heavy bulk density
materials.
• Easy cleaning : Usually the opening at ribbon blenders top cover is very
large to touch into the inner surface for cleaning purpose.
• Easy maintenance : The structure of ribbon blender is very simple, easy to
maintain.
• Low power energy.
• Low cost.
 DISADVANTAGES OF RIBBON BLENDER

• Shearing action is less than in planetary mixer.

• Dead spots are observed in the mixer, though they are minimum.
• It has fixed speed drive.
• Not suitable for sensitive materials.
 APPLICATIONS OF RIBBON MIXER

• Ribbon blenders can be designed to operate in both batch and

continuous modes.
• Batch type blenders can be built up to capacities of 50 cubic
meter.
• The ribbon blender’s versatility for blending solids combined with
it ability to perform heating, cooling, coating, and other
processes make it a very popular blender.
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