The Different Types of Mixing Tanks

When we were kids, mixing food and beverages was a no-brainer. Throw it in any old bowl or cup, and you were golden. But when you enter the world of industrial-level food and drink, the material, shape, and structure of your mixing container becomes incredibly important. Whether your company specializes in brewing beer or processing food, we have all the different types of mixing tanks you could ask for, sorted easily by material, shape, or wall type.

Material

When it comes to mixing tanks, you will usually find that plastic and metal are the two most common materials. Those who favor plastic tanks often choose them because of their lightweight design, their malleability and easy customization, and the fact that they don’t rust. However, plastic tends to not be as durable, and heat can deform it over time. Steel tanks, on the other hand, are durable, long-lasting, and heat resistant. The one caveat is metal’s tendency to rust, which is why we recommend stainless steel metal tanks.

Shape

Mixing tanks can come in various shapes and sizes, each with their own benefits, depending on your operation. Tanks are available in rectangular or cylindrical shapes. Rectangular or square prism tanks are most often used for all-liquid mixtures that don’t require any kind of solid suspension. Cylindrical tanks are more widely used because they are better suited for solid suspension, draining, and occupy less space. Unlike rectangular tanks, you do have to install baffles in cylindrical tanks in order to optimize mixing efficiency.

Among cylindrical tanks, you can also find tanks with different bottoms, namely slant, dish, and cone bottoms. There are flat bottom tanks, as well, but their inefficiency in draining makes them less effective. While these types all lend themselves well to drainage, cone bottoms have the greatest draining efficiency. For solid suspension, dish bottoms are considered the most effective.

Wall Type

As far as wall type goes, mixing tanks typically come as either single-wall or jacketed models. As the name implies, a single-wall mixing tank has only one wall, with no additional layers or insulation. A jacketed tank has an extra layer of insulation, which allows for greater levels of temperature control. This is especially valuable for processes involving very hot or very cold liquids, or ones that require the liquid to maintain a specific temperature.

Industrial-level mixing requires precision and knowing the applications of different types of mixing tanks can help you decide which product will work best for your company. Whether you need a food processing or brewery tank manufacturer, Cedarstone Industry has the mixing tank to fit your needs.