Mixing is a significant aspect of industrial processes to obtain consistent products, improve chemical reactions, and ensure material uniformity. From liquid blending to gas dispersion, suspending solids to heat transfer, the appropriate agitator makes all the difference.

An agitator is a mechanical component to mix or stir fluids, slurries, or solids in a vessel or tank. The type of agitator chosen is based on the process need, including the viscosity of the material, vessel size, and desired result. In this blog, we discuss the various types of agitators, their design characteristics, and typical uses in industries.

1. Paddle Agitator

• Design: Has flat blades mounted on a central shaft.
• Best suited: Low to medium viscosity liquids that need gentle mixing.
• Applications: Water treatment, Chemical blending, Food processing

Paddle agitators are best when uniform blending with less shear is needed.

2. Turbine Agitator

• Design: Multi-blade impellers, either straight or curved.
• Best suited: Medium to high-speed mixing of liquid, even with solids or gases present.
• Applications: Fermenter tanks, Reactor vessels, Pharmaceutical blending

Turbine agitators produce both axial and radial flow so that dispersion is efficient.

3. Propeller Agitator

• Design: Marine-type propellers with 2–4 blades.
• Best used for: Rapid mixing of low-viscosity liquids at high speeds.
• Uses: Manufacturing of beverages, Mixing solvents, Laboratory processing

Propeller agitators are excellent in providing fast mixing and circulation in medium and small tanks.

4. Helical Agitator

• Design: Spiral or ribbon-shaped impeller for forcing viscous material.
• Best suited for: High-viscosity fluids such as gels, pastes, or slurries.
• Uses: Paints and coatings, Adhesives, Heavy-duty chemical processing

Helical agitators offer strong mixing even for heavy materials.

5. Anchor Agitator

• Design: Anchor-like shape with sweeping arms that wrap around the tank walls.
• Best for: Blending high-viscosity products and avoiding material build-up.
• Applications: Food pastes, Cosmetic creams, Pharmaceutical formulations

Anchor agitators typically feature wall-scraping design elements for complete blending.

6. Magnetic Agitator (Magnetic Stirrer)

• Design: Utilizes magnetic fields to rotate a stir bar inside the vessel.
• Best for: Low–volume, low-viscosity fluid blending.
• Applications: Laboratory testing, Chemical sampling, Research & development

They are best where contamination must be eliminated since they do not have direct mechanical contact.

7. Ribbon Blender

• Design: A helical ribbon that transports materials in opposite directions.
• Ideal for: Dry powders, granules, and paste-like materials.
• Applications: Seasoning food, Pharmaceutical powders, Industrial chemicals

Ribbon blenders provide high-efficiency mixing with low energy consumption.

8. Jet Agitator

• Design: High-velocity liquid jets are employed for mixing, no internal moving parts.
• Ideal for: Hygienic or sterile settings.
• Applications: Dairy and beverage processing, CIP (clean-in-place) systems, Bioreactors

Jet agitation provides clean and contamination-free mixing.

9. Static Agitator (In-line Mixer)

• Design: Stationary mixing elements in a pipe that induce turbulence as fluid passes through.
• Ideal for: Continuous blending without moving parts.
• Uses: Water treatment, Oil blending, Inline chemical dosing, Static mixers are low-cost and low-maintenance.

Selecting the Right Agitator When choosing an agitator, consider:

1. Fluid viscosity
2. Intensities of mixing
3. Tank size and shape
4. Process goals (e.g., heat transfer, chemical reaction, or dissolution)

Selecting the proper type of agitator not only makes the process more efficient but also saves energy and improves product quality.

Struggling with agitator selection for your process?

Reach out to our team today to discover the ideal solution for your industrial mixing requirements.