Vacuum High-Shear Emulsifying Mixer

What is the Vacuum High-Shear Emulsifying Mixer?

A vacuum high-shear emulsifying mixer combines a rotor-stator head, scraper agitator, vacuum and heating in one closed vessel. It is used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food laboratories to produce stable, air-free creams, lotions and ointments.

Overview

The vacuum emulsifying mixer has a jacketed stainless steel vessel with a lid, a homogenizer head at the bottom or top, and a slow scraper-type agitator that wipes the wall. Vacuum down to about -0.09 MPa gauge removes air during mixing and helps draw powders into the liquid. The jacket heats oil and water phases to 70 to 90 degrees C and cools the batch after emulsification. Working volumes are 2 to 100 L, with homogenizer speeds of 2,000 to 6,000 rpm and scraper speeds of 10 to 80 rpm. A control panel stores recipes with time, speed and temperature. The design produces fine, stable emulsions with low bubble content, and the closed vessel reduces contamination, so it is widely used for cosmetic creams, toothpaste and pharmaceutical ointments.

How does it work?

A high-shear mixer rotates a rotor at high tip speed, commonly 10 to 40 m/s, inside or next to a fixed stator. Fluid is drawn axially into the rotor, accelerated outward, and forced through the narrow gap between rotor and stator, typically 0.2 to 1 mm, and through slots or holes in the stator. In the gap the fluid experiences very high shear rates, often above 20,000 s⁻¹, plus turbulence and cavitation, which break droplets and particles and wet powders. Disperser-type heads use a toothed or saw-tooth blade in an open vessel. Main components are the motor and drive, the mixing head with interchangeable generators, a shaft with seals, a vessel or inline housing, and speed control. Results depend on tip speed, gap, generator geometry, viscosity and batch time.

What are the key features?

• Homogenizer head with scraper agitator in one closed vessel
• Vacuum down to about -0.09 MPa gauge for air-free batches
• Jacket heating to 70–90 °C and cooling after emulsification
• Recipe control of time, speed and temperature
• Working volume of 2–100 L in polished stainless steel
• Vacuum powder feeding reduces dust and lumps

What are the technical specifications?

A typical vacuum high-shear emulsifying mixer configuration offers working volume of 2–100 L, homogenizer speed of 2,000–6,000 rpm, scraper speed of 10–80 rpm, vacuum level of Down to about -0.09 MPa gauge, heating temperature of Up to 90–120 °C and heating method of Electric or steam jacket. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Vacuum High-Shear Emulsifying Mixer is used in cosmetic cream and lotion, pharmaceutical ointment, toothpaste formulation and food emulsion development. Across the wider High-Shear Mixers class, laboratories also deploy it for emulsion and cream preparation, pigment and filler dispersion and pharmaceutical suspension development.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include IEC 61010-1, EN ISO 12100, ISO 13320, ASTM E2651 and GB 4793.1. Certification candidates for this model are CE, RoHS and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Secure the mixer on a stable stand or clamp and keep the head fully immersed before start-up to avoid air entrainment and dry running of the seal. Use guards and emergency stops, and never operate with loose hair or clothing near the shaft. Keep the gap between rotor and stator clean, since worn generators lose shear efficiency and should be inspected regularly. Flush or clean-in-place between batches to avoid cross-contamination. Control temperature, since shear heats the product, and use jacketed vessels or cooling where needed. Sanitary seals and polished surfaces are important for pharmaceutical and food work. Comply with IEC 61010-1 and machinery safety standards, and record speed, time and temperature for batch documentation.

How do I select the right Vacuum High-Shear Emulsifying Mixer?

Select the vacuum emulsifier for creams, ointments and pastes where heat, vacuum and strong shear are needed together. A simple batch rotor-stator mixer is enough for cold processes. In the RFQ, specify working volume, temperature range, vacuum level, heating method and finish requirements.

How does it compare with other High-Shear Mixers variants?

Select a high-shear mixer by batch size, viscosity, target particle or droplet size and process type. Batch rotor-stator mixers suit volumes from 0.1 to 100 L and offer interchangeable generator heads. Inline models process continuous or recirculated flow and give narrower size distributions. Vacuum emulsifiers combine shear with degassing and heating for cosmetics and ointments. Dispersers suit pigment and filler wetting in coatings and inks. Powder-induction designs draw powders into the liquid to prevent lumps. Check tip speed, motor power, generator options such as coarse, medium and fine slots, and materials of construction such as 316L stainless steel. Consider cleanability, sanitary design and seals if the products are pharmaceutical or food grade. Verify noise levels and safety guarding, and ask for trials if particle size specifications are critical.