IBC Mixers

IBC Mixers

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Mixing products inside an IBC (also known as a pallet tank or a tote) can be easy and reliable with the use of a practical design and experience that comes with knowing the technology and application.

At Tapflo we take responsibility for both: we deliver the highest quality mixers, selected by our motorers to fit a wide range of applications tailored to the client’s needs. That is why we know our agitators will efficiently mix almost any medium regardless of its high-viscosity, heterogeneity, or inclusion of solid particles.

Tapflo IBC mixers are made to last. Reliable construction ensures the unit’s longevity and ensures a high level of safety and comfort.

 

Mixing products inside an IBC (also known as a pallet tank or a tote) can be easy and reliable with the use of a practical design and experience that comes with knowing the technology and application.

At Tapflo we take responsibility for both: we deliver the highest quality mixers, selected by our motorers to fit a wide range of applications tailored to the client’s needs. That is why we know our agitators will efficiently mix almost any medium regardless of its high-viscosity, heterogeneity, or inclusion of solid particles.

Tapflo IBC mixers are made to last. Reliable construction ensures the unit’s longevity and ensures a high level of safety and comfort.

 

Technical data
Applications: Liquids up to 20,000 cP viscosity, also containing solid particles or powders.
Suitable for liquids stored in 1000 liter IBC tanks (standard version) or 600 liters (special version).
ATEX: Available in explosion-proof version (ATEX).
Power supply: Electric drive: 400V AC, 50-60 Hz or 220-230V AC; 50-60 Hz
Pneumatic drive: Clean, oiled compressed air
Frame dimensions: 1020×300 mm (length x width)
Height depends on the selected drive type and rotor type
Materials: Wetted parts (rotor, shaft): AISI 316, PP, PFA, ECTFE.
Other parts: AISI 304 or painted steel.
Description

IBC mixers’ main usage is unifying and mixing the product before using. They are often used to prepare new products inside the container by mixing multiple liquids, liquids with powders or concentrates as well as mixing an existing product with other additions such as pigments or fragrances.

The use of Mixers is irreplaceable when dealing with solid particles in the product. Our solution works not only in cases with heavy particles sedimenting at the bottom of the tank but also with light particles floating on the surface of the medium.

Features and Benefits

  • Complete solution. Allowing for efficient mixing immediately after the installation.
  • Immediately delivered, available at our stock.
  • Durable, high-quality construction guarantees longevity and reliability.
  • Suitable for mixing products up to a viscosity of 20.000 cP.
  • Available with multiple impellers and materials. Suitable for a wide range of applications.
  • Adjustable mixing speed. Controlled via a frequency inverter (electrically driven mixers), or a needle valve (air-driven mixers).
  • High level of safety during operation thanks to a Safety Interlock Switch (complete with an electric drive). The switch immediately turns the mixer off when it is unintentionally lifted during its work cycle.
  • Available for potentially explosive zones – according to ATEX directive, zone II 2G.
Selection table
Viscosity cP Mixer Model Mixing Drive Type RPM Impeller Weight
1 – 100 HBC-037 gentle – medium motor 1400 fixed 23 kg
1 – 100 HBC-075 intensive motor 1400 fixed 25 kg
1 – 250 LBC-037 intensive gear motor 236 folding 30 kg
250 – 1.000 LBC-037 gentle – medium gear motor 236 folding 30 kg
500 – 2.000 LBC-075 intensive gear motor 236 folding 32 kg
2.000 – 5.000 LBC-075 gentle – medium gear motor 236 folding 32 kg
2.500 – 5.000 LBC-150 intensive gear motor 236 folding 38 kg
5.000 – 15.000 LBC-150 gentle – medium gear motor 236 folding 38 kg
Safety

Safety switch on the IBC frame

The IBC mixer is built on a solid, rigid frame, so it can work even in demanding applications with high-viscosity media.

All rotating elements of the mixer are shielded during operation, eliminating the risk of accidental contact by the operator. In addition, each IBC mixer with an electric drive is equipped with an electrical power system, providing motor overload protection.

Electrically driven mixers are very quiet during operation, so we equip them with safety switches that stop the mixer if its frame is accidentally raised above the frame of the IBC.

Construction

1. Available drives

Electric motor:

  • for low viscosity liquids (up to 100 cP),
  • provides gentle or medium mixing,
  • standard speed 1400 rpm,
  • 1-phase or 3-phase power supply.

Pneumatic motor:

  • for low and high viscosity liquids,
  • supplied with a regulating valve for speed adjustment.

Gearbox:

  • electric or pneumatic power supply,
  • for high viscosity liquids (up to 15,000 cP),
  • allows medium or intensive mixing,
  • standard speed 236 rpm,
  • 1-phase or 3-phase electric or pneumatic power supply.

2. Electrical power system

Ensures safe and convenient operation.

  • motor overload protection
  • START/STOP buttons
  • 16A plug

Frequency inverter (VFD):
Allows the use of one stirrer for many applications, by adjusting the rotational speed.

3. Fixed impeller

Used with electric and pneumatic motors for low viscosity liquids.

4. Folding impeller

Foldable for placement in an IBC container.
Can be used with a gear motor for high viscosity liquids.

5. “Kicker” Impeller (Low Level)

Solution for products with high solids content or low-level mixing.

6. Connections for additives (on request)

The simplest solution enabling the addition of liquid additives to mixed media.

7. Forklift module (on request)

Allows the mixer to be moved using a forklift.

8. Safety Switch

Prevents the agitator from operating when it is not securely attached to the IBC container.

9. Powder or polymer hopper (on request)

Convenient way to add ingredients while mixing.

10. Lifting eye bolt frame

Facilitates installation.

Types of drives
Electric motor (high-speed mixer)

  • for liquids with low viscosity (up to 100 cP),
  • designed with bearing stabilization (high durability),
  • equipped with a safety switch that stops the mixer when it is not securely mounted on the IBC container,
  • equipped with motor overload protection,
  • equipped with START, STOP buttons,
  • supplied with a 1-phase or 3-phase plug.
Electric motor with gearbox (low-speed mixer)

  • for liquids with low and high viscosity (up to 20,000 cP),
  • equipped with a safety switch that stops the mixer when it is not securely mounted on the IBC container,
  • equipped with motor overload protection,
  • equipped with START, STOP buttons,
  • supplied with a 1-phase or 3-phase plug.
The most versatile solution.
Allows the use of a single mixer for mixing different media, by adjusting the rotation speed.

  • for liquids with low and high viscosity (up to 20,000 cP),
  • equipped with a safety switch that stops the mixer when it is not securely mounted on the IBC container,
  • equipped with motor overload protection,
  • equipped with START, STOP buttons, rotational speed adjustment buttons, and a configuration button,
  • supplied with a 1-phase or 3-phase plug.

 

Pneumatic motor (high-speed mixer)

  • for liquids with low viscosity (up to 100 cP),
  • designed with bearing stabilization (high durability),
  • supplied with a control valve for adjusting the rotation speed, a quick coupling, and a silencer.

 

Pneumatic motor with gearbox (low-speed mixer)

  • for liquids with low and high viscosity (up to 20,000 cP),
  • supplied with a control valve for adjusting the rotation speed, a quick coupling, and a silencer.

 

Impeller types
Fixed impeller

Used with high-speed mixers (direct drive) for low-viscosity liquids (up to 100 cP). Allows for effective mixing in less demanding applications.

The impeller is made of AISI 316 stainless steel.

Folding impeller designed for IBC tanks where the diameter of the appropriate mixer impeller is larger than the diameter of the top opening in the tank.

Such an impeller is folded when placed in the tank and freely passes through the opening in the tank. After starting the mixer, the impeller opens, increases its surface area due to centrifugal force, and effectively mixes the entire volume of the tank, even in the case of solid particles in the medium.

This type of impeller is used with a low-speed drive and can mix liquids with a viscosity of up to 15,000 cP, or up to 20,000 cP when using two folding impellers mounted on one shaft.

The impeller is made of AISI 316 stainless steel.

“Kicker” type impeller (low-level)

Solution for products with a high content of solid particles that sediment at the bottom of the container.

The use of a “Kicker” type impeller mounted below the folding impeller allows for continuous mixing and lifting of solid particles. It is also used when emptying the container, when mixing the medium at a low level is required.

The impeller is made of AISI 316 stainless steel.

 

Types of frames
Standard frame with eyebolt for lifting

Each IBC mixer is built on a solid frame, ensuring rigid placement on the container, even when mixing high-viscosity liquids.

The IBC mixer frame is a durable structure, made of welded AISI 304 stainless steel profiles. It is equipped with an eyebolt installed above the drive as standard, which allows the mixer to be lifted and lowered using a hoist.

After placing the frame on the IBC container, it is additionally secured with two integrated clamps. These clamps are equipped with a position lock, which prevents uncontrolled detachment of the frame.

Frame with forklift module

The IBC mixer frame can also be equipped with a forklift module. In this case, the mixer is transported using a forklift. The forklift forks are placed in the designated pockets welded to the mixer frame. Thanks to this, the transport of the mixer is faster and provides greater work flexibility.

Frame with connection for additives

Allows for easy addition of liquid additives to the mixed media and filling of the IBC pallet container during mixing. The mixer frame has a threaded hole to which a pump is connected. A pipe is then led out of the hole, directing the dosed medium directly into the pallet container, where the additives are effectively mixed with the medium.

 

Frame with a hopper for powders or polymers

Allows for convenient addition of ingredients during mixing. A hopper with a lid is placed on the IBC mixer frame. After opening the lid, it is possible to add powder or polymer directly to the tank. The hopper outlet is located in the central part of the tank, which increases mixing efficiency. The poured powder goes directly to the area of the tank with the highest mixing efficiency.

 

Assembly and start-up

The first step before starting the mixer is to mount it on the IBC frame. The mixer can be lifted above the container using a hoist, connected to the eye bolt typically located above the mixer drive. If a mixer with an additional module is chosen, a forklift can also be used for lifting, which significantly facilitates moving the mixer between containers.

Standard frame with eye bolt for lifting Frame with forklift module

The mixer should be positioned in the axis of the container opening (axis of the container opening aligned with the mixer rotor axis) and then locked using the two clamps located on the mixer frame.

Locking the mixer using clamps on the IBC tank

The next step is to connect the power supply to the mixer drive. Depending on the selected drive type, this will be electric power (1- or 3-phase) or pneumatic power (compressed air).

In the case of an electric drive, the mixer is always supplied with an appropriate plug, and in the case of pneumatic power, with a regulating valve, silencer, and quick coupling.

The electric drive mixer is started from the integrated control cabinet or from the inverter panel. The pneumatic mixer is started by gradually opening the regulating valve.

  • Technical data

  • Description

  • Selection table

  • Safety

  • Construction

  • Types of drives

  • Impeller types

  • Types of frames

  • Assembly and start-up

Applications: Liquids up to 20,000 cP viscosity, also containing solid particles or powders.
Suitable for liquids stored in 1000 liter IBC tanks (standard version) or 600 liters (special version).
ATEX: Available in explosion-proof version (ATEX).
Power supply: Electric drive: 400V AC, 50-60 Hz or 220-230V AC; 50-60 Hz
Pneumatic drive: Clean, oiled compressed air
Frame dimensions: 1020×300 mm (length x width)
Height depends on the selected drive type and rotor type
Materials: Wetted parts (rotor, shaft): AISI 316, PP, PFA, ECTFE.
Other parts: AISI 304 or painted steel.