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Low Cost Mixer Selection Guide

While today's economy dictates reduced capital budgets, Cleveland-Eastern Mixers offers value-added alternatives without sacrificing the quality and durability industry requires.

Choose Economy Series Portables

  • Consider the CG series, (gear-driven) or the CD series, (direct-drive) which are designed for lower cost, while maintaining high quality. The only economical portable mixers on the market with a 3-year warranty.
  • Consider the Econoline Series – lighter weight units for lighter duty jobs. 
  • With any portable mixers, direct drive units will always be the least expensive option.
  • When choosing between manufacturers, ensure that you are comparing like-for-like models. It's not always easy. Some mixer manufacturers calculate HP ratings based on adding a service factor to the HP rating, thereby overstating the actual HP. For example, a mixer with a ½ HP motor will be sold as a ⅝ HP mixer, making it appear that this mixer offers more horsepower than the ½ HP unit for similar cost. In these cases, customers are often disappointed to find their mixer does not perform as anticipated. Be an educated consumer - make sure the HP you specify is based on NEMA standard motor ratings.  

Non-mechanical Solution

Static Mixers are a low cost alternative to dynamic mixers for a number of reasons:

  • Low initial cost.
  • No maintenance as there are no moving or wearing parts.
  • Lower power requirement than mechanical mixers by as much as 60%. The power is dependent on an upstream pump, which is determined by the viscosity of the product. The static mixer itself consumes almost no power. 
  • Minimal space requirement, as it fits within existing pipelines, eliminating the need for a separate tank and related equipment. 

Considerations for static mixers

It is sometimes difficult to retro-spec a static mixer into your existing process, however static mixers should be considered as alternatives to any existing or new agitation requirements. See the static mixer section for a list of typical applications and a list of related technical articles, available for immediate download. As always, call the factory or your local sales representative to discuss your options. 

Specify Hydrofoils and/or Retrofit with Hydrofoils for Energy Savings

Hydrofoil impellers have become fairly standard in most flow-controlled applications over the past decade. The case for their higher efficiency has been proven in many applications because hydrofoils produce more flow with less HP. Less HP translates to reduced energy cost. See the article entitled Hydrofoil Impeller Technology - "Its Application & Benefits” for a comparison of energy cost savings. 

Specify Premium Efficiency Motors

The impact on electricity costs can be significantly reduced by using Premium Efficiency Motors. Look for the NEMA Premium motor logo so you are assured of the best value. Cleveland-Eastern Mixers uses only standard NEMA motors, so efficiency and HP ratings are assured, unlike some competitive mixer companies who's special motor design deviates from NEMA standards. These non-standard motors can only be replaced through the mixer manufacturer at “special” motor prices, costing you more in the long term. 

For further details, see the Chemical Processing article, page 50 in the October 2001 issue – “Upgrading to Premium-Efficiency Motors, Saving energy and money.” 

Understand the Impact of Horsepower on the Cost of the Mixer Design

When reviewing competitive quotes, understand that each mixer manufacturer will have different suggestions regarding HP, gearbox, and impeller shape & dimensions. Depending on the process requirements, torque, speed, and mixing time can be manipulated to arrive at the optimal balance between cost and performance. Often a minimal concession in one area, e.g., a slightly longer blend time, can result in considerable cost savings. 

With today's reduced capital budgets, the pressure is greater than ever to minimize costs at every opportunity.

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