How does a magnetic mixer work?

Metenova Academy is a series of articles, aiming to introduce and educate in the world of magnetic mixers. As an introduction to the series, we will here briefly explain how a magnetic mixer work, and what the benefits are from a bottom-mounted mixer.

Pharmaceutical mixing has existed a long time. But just as any technology, it is constantly evolving. The contactless energy transfer achieved through magnetic coupling technology has proven extraordinary suitable for pharmaceutical applications requiring full containment of substances needed to be mixed. Metenova is innovating and producing the state of the art magnetically coupled mixers for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.

How does a magnetic coupled mixer work?

A magnetic mixer consists of two permanent magnet sets, one in the impeller (Mix Head) and one in the outer drive head, that are separated by a Tank Plate welded into the vessel. The Drive Unit underneath the vessel turns the magnets in the outer drive head, which interacts with the magnets inside the Mix Head causing it to rotate.   

Benefits of a bottom-mounted mixer.

Because of the bottom-entering magnetic mixers design, see figure 1, the need for mechanical seals is eliminated since there is no breach of the tank wall which ensures the integrity of the vessel. The vessel can therefore be sterilized and kept closed throughout the process. If the mixer is correctly placed in the vessel, the need for baffles is also eliminated since off-center mounting creates enough vertical motion for effective mixing.

Figure 1. Bottom-entry magnetic mixer

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