Dispersing

Dispersing is the mixing of at least two substances that do not dissolve or hardly dissolve in each other and do not chemically react with one another. The goal while producing an industrial dispersion is to create a "satisfactorily" fine distribution in the continuous phase.

A suspension is created when solid particles are dispersed in a liquid. When dispersing a liquid in another liquid, an emulsion arises. At the boundary between two liquid phases of an emulsion, surface tension takes effect. The generation of new surfaces requires energy. Without external influence, each system aims for a state with preferably low energy. This way there will always be a tendency towards a preferably small boundary surface, which counteracts the creation of any emulsion.

In order to achieve the dispersal of non-mixable phases within one another, their particles must be crushed and mixed intensively. Crushing means that new surfaces must be created while getting over the resistance of the surface tension. The dispersing process delivers the required energy and ensures homogenous mixing of both phases. The long-time stability of the dispersion can be influenced by a definite particle size distribution as well as the use of emulsifiers and stabilizers.

IKA offers rotor-stator machines to ensure excellent dispersing results, good cleanability, and a long running life. Thanks to these characteristics as well as their easy-to-maintain design, the rotor-stator machines achieve a favorable cost-value ratio.

During dispersing processes by means of rotor-stator systems, the crushing-efficient energy is introduced through specific rotating parts. IKA offers:

• Single-stage dispersing with the ULTRA-TURRAX®
• Three-stage dispersing with the DISPAX-REACTOR®
• Dispersing with colloid mills
• Dispersing with continuous solid-liquid mixers (type MHD)
• Dispersing in the enrichment process with solid-liquid mixers (type CMX, DBI)

Our solutions:

Inline dispersers / Mills

	Type	Description	Application
	DISPAX-REACTOR DR	Three-stage high shear dispersing machine	Production of macro-emulsions and fine suspensions
	DISPAX-REACTOR DRS	Two-stage high shear dispersing machine with highest shear rates	Production of finest micro-emulsions
	Colloid Mill MK	Colloid mill	Production of extremely fine suspensions and emulsions
	Cone Mill MKO	Cone mill	Production of extremely fine suspensions
	UTL Economy Line	Single-stage dispersing machine of Economy line	Production of coarse emulsions and suspensions
	ULTRA-TURRAX UTL	Single-stage dispersing machine	Production of coarse emulsions and suspensions

Batch dispersers

	Type	Description	Application
	ULTRA-TURRAX UTC	High shear dispersing machine for top entry	Production of emulsions and suspensions
	ULTRA-TURRAX UTE	High shear dispersing machine for bottom entry	Production of emulsions and suspensions
	ULTRA-TURRAX UTS	High shear dispersing machine in the pharma design for top entry on vessels	Production of emulsions and suspensions

Process plants

	Type	Description	Application
	Dilution plant	Delution plant	Continuous mixing or also dilution of different free-flowing mediums
	MHD-Plant	Continuous mixing plant, consisting of dosing device for solids and liquids, mixing and dispersing machine MHD and electric control	Powder incorporation and wetting in one pass with solids concentration up to 80%
	Turnkey plants	Individual turnkey systems with proven IKA® mixing technology	Manufacture of mixtures of all kinds
	Standard Plant SPP	Universal mixing plant, consisting of vessel, agitator, dispersing machine and electric control	Efficient mixing, dispersing and optimal feeding of additives during production of emulsions and suspensions
	Master Plant MP	Universal mixing plant, consisting of vessel, agitator, dispersing machine and electric control with HMI	Efficient mixing, dispersing, heating/cooling and optimal feeding of additives during production of emulsions and suspensions

Solid-liquid mixers

	Type	Description	Application
	DR-PB (PMB)	Inline machine for mixing of solids and liquids at highest requirements regarding the dispersing quality	Continuous incorporation of polymers into hot bitumen
	DBI (recirculation)	Machine for suction of liquid and solid components, pumping and dispersing in recirculation process	Production of emulsions and suspensions
	CMX (recirculation)	Dispersing machine for powder incorporation in recirculation process	Dust-free powder incorporation into liquids
	MHD (continuous)	Dispersing machine for powder incorporation in continuous process	Continuous dust-free powder incorporation into liquids

Pilot plants

	Type	Description	Application
	LABOR-PILOT	Machine with different modules, applicable in laboratories and pilot plant stations, for process optimisation, determination of process parameters and further scale-up	Mixing and dispersing in continuous and discontinuous process
	magic PLANT	Laboratory scale process plant for batch wise mixing and emulsifying of low viscous masses up to masses just about capable of flowing.	Great variety of applications. It is especially suited for processing of products from the cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical industries.
	magic LAB	Laboratory machine for product development and process optimisation with different modules and mounting possibilities	Mixing and dispersing in continuous and discontinuous process
	PROCESS-PILOT	Machine with different modules, applicable in laboratories and pilot plant stations, for process optimisation, determination of process parameters and further scale-up	Mixing and dispersing in continuous and discontinuous process, also at higher temperatures, under pressure and vacuum