Mixers for Xanthan Gum
What is Xanthan Gum?
Used for its thickening and stabilizing effect on emulsions and suspensions, Xanthan gum forms a gel structure in water which is shear thinning. Xanthan gum may be used in combination with other modifiers, for example Guar gum, as the two combine to give greatly increased effects to a product.
Xanthan gum can de dispersed into hot or cold liquids, and may grades of gum are available. When added to water, the gum has a strong tendancy to form lumps and agglomerates in the solution and as a result, a number of dispersion and hydration methods are required to over come this and achieve a homogenous and consistent result.
Xanthan Gum Applications
- Sauces & Dressings
- Milk & Dairy Products
- Confectionary
- Varnishes & Polish
Difficulties in Mixing Xanthan Gum
- Formation of agglomerates; standard agitators don’t produce enough shear to break these down.
- Difficult to obtain full yield
- High levels of gum which compensates poor yield
- Once viscosity increase has started, agitation of the solution and powder dispersion becomes increasingly difficult
- Long mixing times to are required to complete dispersion/hydration which can degrade the gel
- Premixing powders the gums adds to the process time and costs
Successful mixing in Xanthan Gum applications using Mixquip High Shear Agitators
Miquip high-shear agitators are able to produce full hydration of the Xanthan gum and agglomerate free dispersions
1. The vessel is charged with liquid and the mixer is started. The Xanthan gum is added to the water as rapidly as possible. The high speed rotation of the workhead creates a powerful vortex, drawing the powder and liquid down into the workhead.
2. The materials are then forced through the slots in the side of the workhead and projected back into the body of the mix. Any agglomerates are broken down as they pass through the slots.
3. The vigorous movement in the vessel ensures that in a short mixing cycle all the material passes many times through the workhead, progressively reducing the particle size and exposing an increasing surface area to the surrounding liquid. This rapidly completes hydration.
High Shear Mixers
Advantages
- Maximized yield/functionality allows products to be formulated with reduced gum content, cutting raw material costs.
- Agglomerate-free mix.
- Operator error is effectively eliminated.
- Rapid mixing times.
- Consistent product quality and repeatability.
- Premixing of gum with powders or non-aqueous phase is not required.
Contact Mixquip to learn more
For more information about our high-shear mixer range and use in successful dispersion of Xanthan Gum, contact our team on 1300 20 70 20 or email sales@mixquip.com. Our team look forward to discussing your application and help improve production for process demands.