Throughout the food industries, high speed mixers are commonly used for a number of objectives including powder wet-out and dispersion, solubilization, liquefaction, particle size reduction and homogenization.
In particular, rotor/stator style mixers, also called high shear mixers, are considered to be one of the most versatile systems due to their ability to prepare fine emulsions as well. Available in batch and inline configurations, these mixers are comprised of a rotor that turns at high speed within a stationary stator. As the blades rotate, materials are continuously drawn into one end of the mixing head and expelled at high velocity through the openings of the stator. The resulting hydraulic shear promotes fast mixing, disintegrates solid agglomerates and reduces the size of droplets in emulsions. Common applications include sauces, dressings, condiments, flavor emulsions, syrups, gum solutions, flavorings, additives, etc.