Recommended Blending Equipment For Feeds And Fertilizers

Ribbon Blenders are well-proven equipment used in batch production of feeds and fertilizers. Ingredients are loaded into the U-shaped trough and mixed by a horizontal solid-shaft agitator consisting of inner and outer helical ribbons. A full load usually corresponds to a product level around the outer ribbon’s tip, allowing enough headroom for the materials to be vigorously agitated. Minor liquid components are typically sprayed at a controlled rate during the blending cycle using atomizing nozzles.

Ross Ribbon Blenders are expertly fabricated to close tolerances to ensure consistent and accurate performance over a long service life. The position and precise pitch of the ribbons produce a well-balanced axial and radial flow pattern, promoting fast and thorough mixing despite differences in particle shape, size and density. Maximum tip speeds in the neighborhood of 300 ft/min are typical but with variable speed control, the blending action can be fine-tuned and optimized according to the characteristics of a particular recipe. When developing a new product, manufacturers can take advantage of trial/rental units prior to scaling up to a production-size Ross Ribbon Blender.

For relatively shear-sensitive compositions, Ross offers gentler mixer alternatives including Cone Screw Vertical Blenders and Tumble Blenders.