How Does the Plough Mixer Work?

The plough mixer (also known as plow mixer or ploughshare mixer) is a highly efficient industrial mixer used for blending powders, granules, and other dry or wet materials. It is widely used in industries like chemicals, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and plastics, etc. Here's how it works:

Working Principle of the Plough Mixer:

1. Mixing Chamber

The mixer consists of a horizontal or slightly inclined cylindrical or U-shaped trough.

Inside the trough, one or more rotating shafts are fitted with specially designed plough-shaped blades (plow shares).

2. Plough Blades (Mixing Tools)

The plough blades are the primary mixing elements, designed to lift and move material in a three-dimensional pattern.

They create a strong convective and shear mixing action, ensuring rapid homogenization.

3. Rotation & Material Movement

As the shaft rotates (typically at high speeds, 50–300 RPM), the plough blades lift and throw the material toward the center of the mixer.

This creates a fluidized mixing zone, where particles are constantly in motion, ensuring uniform blending.

4. Optional Chopper Blades (for Intense Mixing)

Some plough mixers include high-speed chopper blades (running at 1,000–3,000 RPM) that break down lumps and improve dispersion of fine additives.

5. Discharge Mechanism

Once mixing is complete, the material is discharged through a bottom valve or side outlet, ensuring minimal residue.

Key Advantages of Plough Mixers

• Fast Mixing – Achieves homogeneity in 30–180 seconds, much faster than ribbon or paddle mixers.
• Gentle Yet Intensive – Suitable for fragile granules (like cereals) but also capable of high-shear mixing.
• Wet & Dry Mixing – Can handle both dry powders and moist/liquid additives.
• Easy Cleaning – Designed for quick cleaning, making them ideal for food and pharmaceutical use.
• Scalability – Available in small lab-scale models up to large industrial sizes (e.g., 5–5,000 liters).

Applications

• Food industry (spices, flour, seasonings)
• Pharmaceuticals (powder blending, granulation)
• Chemicals (fertilizers, pigments, detergents)
• Plastics & composites (filler mixing)

Would you like details on the specific type of plough mixer or its comparison with other mixers? Please feel free to contact us for more information!