The Benefits of a Paint Mixing Tank
Paint mixing tank are used for the matching and mixing of paints & coatings. They are also ideal for reblending and recirculating separated and settled solids in drums, totes and IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers).
Industrial mixing tanks come in many variations. They include simple open tanks that are commonly used for paint kitchen applications, deluxe finish sanitary tanks well-suited for food processing and cosmetics production and completely sealed aseptic tanks.
Material
The material used in fabricating tanks for paint mixing can be made of different materials, but stainless steel is a popular choice because it is durable and resistant to corrosion. It also has a non-porous surface that is easy to clean and sanitize. Stainless steel tanks can be found in various sizes and designs to fit the needs of different industries.
There are two types of mixers for paint mixing tank: electric and manual. The electrically-operated mixer has a motor that generates power, which is transmitted to the agitator through a shaft. Manual-operated tanks are powered by a handle or crank that transmits motion to the agitator.
This type of mixing tank is often used in the production of color paints and coatings, as well as other liquid-solid and solid-liquid products. It is suitable for the matching and mixing of pigments, color pastes and granite paints. It is also suitable for industrial and commercial use.
SS Skirted Mix Tanks come in multiple configurations and are available with either a flat or dome top. They can be configured to agitate or to hold and transfer materials. They can also be outfitted with the air saving Autoquip Piston Air Engine. They are available in a range of sizes from 5 to 700 Gallons. Typical features include formed lips around the perimeter of the tank, pipe legs with mounting flanges and mixer mounting brackets.
Design
Stainless steel industrial mixing tanks come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and configurations. They are used in a variety of applications including liquid to liquid and liquid to solid mixing. In addition, they provide excellent corrosion resistance across a broad range of chemicals from alkaline to acidic.
The most common type of paint mixing tank is a simple open top tank designed to be mixed with a portable mixer. These tanks are typically made of 304 stainless steel which is highly resistant to corrosion and easy to clean. When more corrosion resistance is required, 316 stainless steel can be specified. This higher-grade material contains 2% molybdenum which provides additional corrosion resistance to chlorides, bromides and sulfuric acids.
There are a wide range of bottom configurations for these tanks as well. A conical shape is often preferred for liquids that blend easily with other fluids, as this design allows the mixing impeller to fully circulate the liquid, suspend settled materials and completely turn over the paint mixing tank batch before draining. A dished bottom, sloped bottom and flat bottom are also available for tanks that must hold solids, liquids or both.
These tanks are typically available in a range of capacities from 5 to 700 gallons. They can be insulated, jacketed or single-shell tanks. WMProcess Mixers offers both poly and metal industrial mixing tanks in these size ranges, with plastic mixing tanks constructed of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP) and Teflon (PTFE). Metal tanks are commonly fabricated from 304 or 316 stainless steel, Hastelloy C or other exotic metals.
Energy Efficiency
Paint tanks are a great investment for companies that rely on high-volume production of liquid products. They are ideal for mixing paints and coatings with a range of viscosities, making it easier to work with difficult materials. They can also help reduce waste and ensure a quality end product.
Industrial mixing tanks can be fabricated from a number of different metal alloys and come in a variety of configurations. These include simple open-top tanks commonly used in painting kitchens, deluxe finish sanitary tanks suited for use in food processing and cosmetics production, and completely sealed aseptic containers important to pharmaceuticals. In addition, they can be insulated or jacketed to maintain a product’s temperature.
The motor that drives the tank’s impeller is the power source for its mixing action. The power rating of the motor is based on the size of the tank and the viscosity of the liquid being mixed. Different impeller types and shafts are designed to handle different flow rates and viscosity levels.
To maximize energy efficiency, some manufacturers opt to automate the pumps by utilizing off-production hours or during non-peak operations. This reduces long-term energy consumption and can lower operating costs.
Maintenance
The maintenance of a paint mixing tank is important to ensure the quality of the product being produced. This can include cleaning, flushing and manual work on the device. However, this can lead to downtime and reduce production efficiency.
MSA Safety has a solution for maintaining a paint mixing tank safe and efficient process, regardless of the size or type of your tanks. Instead of installing a passive mixing system or piping to separate the inlet and outlet, install an active mixer that is smaller, more sustainable, easy to clean and allows you to remove the nozzle for inspections without draining the tank.
Before the cleaning process begins, your tank is purged with nitrogen to remove all air, and then the oxygen levels are checked using an oxygen analyzer to achieve a target MOC that is below the maximum oxidant concentration (MOC) of your solvent being used.
