Equipment

STS drum mixers and homogenisers

Homogenising liquids, suspensions, powders and granules directly in the closed drum.

Homogenising without decanting the product

STS mixers allow a product that has separated, settled or lost its uniformity during storage to be homogenised again, and new batches to be mixed directly in the original container. Depending on the product and the size of the packaging, systems are available for end-over-end rotation, horizontal rolling and simultaneous mixing of several smaller containers.

The drum or other closed container is secured in the mixer, after which the whole container is rotated in a controlled way. In this way the contents are homogenised again without opening the drum, inserting a stirrer or decanting the product into another container.

Mixing time and speed can be set to suit the product and process, and the unit stops automatically at the end of the cycle. On end-over-end models, a return-to-home function brings the drum back to an upright position, ready for unloading.

Two basic mixing technologies

End-over-end mixing

With this principle the whole drum rotates about its axis, passing continuously from the upright position through a full circle. This more vigorous movement of the contents allows the material in the drum to be homogenised quickly. The STS DME01 is intended for standard steel, plastic and fibre drums of 200–220 l, with a capacity of up to 300 kg. Two standard speed versions are available, 2–10 rpm and 4–24 rpm, and the cycle duration can be set.

Horizontal rolling

In horizontal roller mixers the drum lies on rollers and rotates about its longitudinal axis. This kind of mixing is suitable when the contents are to be homogenised by rolling the drum in a controlled way. The STS DME02 is intended for 200–220 l steel drums and closed L-ring plastic drums. The operator places the drum upright, after which a powered mechanism tilts it through 90° into the horizontal position and starts the mixing process.

Which packaging can we mix?

Steel drums

Standard open-top and tight-head industrial drums, including the usual volumes of around 200–220 l.

Plastic drums

Closed HDPE and L-ring drums, depending on the mixer version chosen.

Fibre drums

The DME01 end-over-end system can also accept fibre drums of suitable dimensions.

Jerrycans and smaller containers

For 25-litre plastic jerrycans and containers, special heads are available that allow four or eight containers to be mixed at once.

Small drums

The horizontal DME04 can be configured for containers of approximately 3.6 to 15 l, with up to four containers per cycle.

ATEX versions

The DME01-Ex uses an Ex d electrical enclosure and is intended for zones 1, 2, 21 and 22 – that is, for processes with a potentially explosive gas or dust atmosphere. STS specifically lists it for applications with solvents, resins and other volatile chemical products.

The DME02 also comes in an ATEX version, with powered tilting of the drum from upright to horizontal and ATEX electrical controls.

Stainless steel version for clean production environments

The DME01 is also available in a 304 stainless steel version, intended for the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries and for environments where corrosion resistance and easier cleaning matter.