Mixer Companies
Submersible, top-entry, hyperboloid, and static mixer suppliers for treatment basins and process tanks.
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Specialists in mixer
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Sidonwater S.L.
VerifiedSpain · 1-50 employees · 5 case studies · 3 datasheets
Sidon Water is a water technology company specialised in non-chemical water treatment and system optimisation. We develop and deploy advanced solutions that prevent and remove limescale, reduce fouling and corrosion, and improve the performance of cooling towers, industrial water systems, and reverse osmosis and desalination installations. Sidon Water works with industrial clients, commercial building owners, OEMs and EPC partners to deliver measurable improvements in energy efficiency, operational reliability and asset lifetime. Our activities cover the full cycle from analysis and pilot projects to system integration, commissioning and long-term performance optimisation.
Buyer's guide
The buyer's guide to mixer
Water Treatment Mixer Design: G-Value, Power Draw, and Application-Specific Selection
Mixers in water and wastewater treatment serve distinct functions at different energy input levels. Rapid mixing (flash mixing, coagulant dispersal) requires velocity gradients (G-value) of 300 to 1,000 per second for 10 to 30 seconds to disperse coagulant throughout the water before hydrolysis forms floc.
Flocculation (gentle agitation to promote particle collision and floc growth) requires G of 10 to 100 per second for 15 to 30 minutes, with velocity gradient tapered (high to low) through multiple flocculation chambers. G-value is calculated as the square root of power density divided by dynamic viscosity: G = sqrt(P divided by (V times mu)), where P is power input in watts, V is basin volume in m3, and mu is viscosity in Pa-s. At 15 degrees C, mu = 0.001139 Pa-s.
Mixing equipment selection by application: rapid mixing - inline static mixers (no moving parts, G of 100 to 1,000 per second depending on flow velocity, pressure drop 0.2 to 2.0 bar), mechanical flash mixers (back-mix impeller, single-pass hydraulic retention time 10 to 30 s), or hydraulic jump mixing (no energy cost, G proportional to flow).
Flocculation - slow-speed mechanical flocculators (paddle, walking beam, or turbine type, tip speed below 0.4 m per s to prevent floc breakage), or baffled channel flocculation (hydraulic, uses head loss as energy input, G = sqrt(g times h divided by (nu times t)) where h is head loss and nu is kinematic viscosity). Anaerobic digester mixing - low-shear submersible or top-entry mixers (G of 5 to 20 per second to prevent short-circuiting while avoiding shear of fragile anaerobic flocs).
Energy input for water treatment mixing: rapid mix at G = 500 per second in a 0.5 m3 tank (HRT 30 s for 1 MLD flow): P = G2 times V times mu = 500^2 times 0.5 times 0.001139 = 143 W. Flocculator at G = 30 per second, V = 500 m3: P = 900 times 500 times 0.001139 = 512 W.
Mixer selection criteria include: corrosion resistance (304 or 316L stainless steel impellers, shaft, and brackets for water contact), submersible vs top-entry configuration (submersible for deep tanks and retrofit, top-entry for new design with larger impellers), and maintenance access (above-water mechanical seals are preferred, submerged seals require dewatering for inspection). Mixer energy consumption is a minor fraction of total plant energy (1 to 5 percent) but correct G-value specification is critical for treatment performance.
Frequently asked questions
What is G-value in water treatment mixing?
G-value (or velocity gradient, units per second or s-1) quantifies the intensity of mixing in a water treatment basin. It represents the rate of shear, which drives particle collision frequency during flocculation. G is calculated as the square root of (power density divided by dynamic viscosity): G = sqrt(P per V divided by mu). For water at 20 degrees C, mu = 0.001002 Pa-s. Rapid mixing for coagulant dispersion: G = 300 to 1,000 per second (high turbulence for fast coagulant distribution). Flocculation: G = 10 to 100 per second (gentle enough to allow floc growth without breakage). Sedimentation tank inlet zone: G below 5 per second to avoid disturbing settled floc. Gt product (G times retention time in seconds) for flocculation typically 20,000 to 200,000 (dimensionless), used to assess adequacy of the flocculation step.
What types of mixers are used in water treatment?
Major mixer types by application: (1) Static mixers - corrugated elements or baffles in a pipe that create turbulent mixing without moving parts; used for coagulant and disinfectant dosing at G = 100 to 1,000 per second; zero maintenance, pressure drop cost; (2) Back-mix impellers (Rushton turbine, axial flow impeller) - high-speed (100 to 300 rpm), small diameter relative to tank, used for rapid mixing tanks and equalisation basins; (3) Slow-speed flocculators - large paddle or turbine impellers at 2 to 20 rpm, designed for G = 10 to 100 per second with low tip speed (below 0.5 m per s) to prevent floc shear; (4) Submersible low-speed mixers - jet or propeller type, installed directly in biological treatment tanks, anaerobic digesters, or storage reservoirs for circulation and stratification prevention; (5) Jet mixers - liquid jet nozzles using pump recirculation for mixing without moving parts in the tank; common in anaerobic digesters and chemical preparation tanks.
How is a flocculator sized for a water treatment plant?
Flocculator sizing: (1) Determine design flow (Q) and target flocculation time (t, typically 15 to 30 minutes); flocculator volume V = Q times t; (2) Select target Gt product (G times t, dimensionless): for coagulated water with alum at low turbidity, Gt = 40,000 to 100,000; for high-turbidity surface water, Gt = 100,000 to 200,000; (3) Calculate required G: G = Gt divided by t (in seconds); for Gt 80,000 at 20 minutes (1,200 s): G = 67 per second; (4) Calculate required power: P = G squared times V times mu; for G 67, V 500 m3, mu 0.001002 at 20 degrees C: P = 4,489 times 500 times 0.001002 = 2,248 W (2.25 kW); (5) Select slow-speed mixer with sufficient power and low enough tip speed (below 0.4 m per s for horizontal paddles, below 0.6 m per s for turbines) to achieve target G without floc breakage. A tapered G-value (e.g. 60 to 40 to 20 per second across three chambers) improves floc quality by allowing fragile large flocs to form as G decreases.
What maintenance do water treatment mixers require?
Mechanical mixers in water treatment require: (1) Weekly - visual inspection of shaft seal condition (look for water leakage around shaft; lip seals should show trace lubrication, not dripping; mechanical seals should be dry externally); check gearbox oil level and temperature (below 80 degrees C operating, above this indicates overloading); (2) Monthly - lubricate shaft bearings (grease nipples, use food-grade grease for potable water contact areas, NLGI Grade 2); check impeller blade condition (wear, corrosion, fouling), vibration level (excessive vibration indicates bearing wear or impeller imbalance); (3) Annual - gearbox oil change; mechanical seal inspection and replacement if leaking (seal faces may need replacement every 2 to 5 years); impeller inspection for corrosion and erosion, particularly in dosing applications where chemical concentrations are high; (4) Every 5 years - gearbox overhaul, shaft alignment check (laser alignment if coupled to external motor), full strip-down and inspection.
Illustrative scenario · Municipal drinking water treatment
A composite drawn from typical projects in this category, not a single client engagement. Figures are indicative.
- Challenge
- A 60 MLD surface water treatment plant in the South East of England with a 3-stage baffled channel flocculator experienced variable settled water turbidity (2 to 8 NTU) during high-flow winter events when raw water turbidity reached 40 to 60 NTU. Investigation identified that the existing fixed-speed paddle flocculators in stages 2 and 3 were operating at excessive G-value (60 to 80 per second) for high-turbidity conditions, causing floc breakage before the clarifier.
- Approach
- Replaced the fixed-speed stage 2 and 3 flocculators with variable-speed drives (0.5 to 15 rpm range) controlled by a SCADA-linked PLC. The PLC modulated flocculator speed based on raw water turbidity (low turbidity: higher G for better particle collision frequency; high turbidity: lower G to allow larger flocs to form without breakage). Upgraded the coagulant dosing control from manual to streaming current detector (SCD) feedback, ensuring coagulant dose was matched to real-time turbidity changes.
- Outcome
- Settled water turbidity stabilised at below 1.5 NTU in 92 percent of operating hours (versus 68 percent previously) over 24 months of operation. Filter run lengths increased from an average of 28 hours to 38 hours due to improved settled water quality. Annual filter backwash water volume reduced by 22 percent. The variable-speed flocculator control also reduced motor energy consumption by 18 percent compared to fixed-speed operation at the same average turbidity.
Questions to ask shortlisted providers
5
- 01
What G-value have you designed the mixer to deliver, and how was this determined from the treatment process requirements for our specific wastewater or water composition?
G-value is the primary design parameter for all water treatment mixers and is specific to the treatment objective. Rapid mix for coagulant dispersion requires G 300 to 1,000 per second; flocculation requires G 10 to 100 per second; anaerobic digester mixing requires G 5 to 20 per second. A mixer supplier who quotes motor power without calculating the resulting G-value in your specific tank volume may be providing a unit that is over- or under-powered for the treatment function.
- 02
What impeller type and geometry have you selected, and what is the calculated tip speed at the operating RPM?
Impeller tip speed must be controlled to prevent floc breakage in flocculation applications (below 0.4 m per s for paddle flocculators, below 0.6 m per s for turbines). In anaerobic digester mixing, tip speed must be low enough to avoid shear of fragile anaerobic granules or flocs. A supplier who does not quote tip speed alongside G-value may be using a small-diameter, high-speed impeller that achieves the target G but at a damaging tip speed for your application.
- 03
What material specification is proposed for all wetted parts, and has this been verified against the chemical environment (pH, oxidants, solids, temperature) at our specific installation point?
Mixer materials must be compatible with the process environment. In coagulant dosing chambers (low pH, ferric or alum), stainless steel 316L is required; standard 304 corrodes. In chlorine contact chambers, all elastomers must be EPDM or FKM rated for chlorine service. In lime dosing tanks, calcium carbonate scale builds up on impeller surfaces and must be considered in impeller geometry selection. Confirm the material specification against your specific chemical environment.
- 04
For variable-speed drives, what is the turndown ratio and what is the minimum practical G-value achievable at minimum speed?
Variable-speed mixers are increasingly specified to allow G-value optimisation based on real-time process conditions (feedwater turbidity, coagulant dose, flow rate). The minimum practical speed (limited by motor cooling and mechanical bearing stability) determines the minimum G achievable. For a flocculation application requiring G down to 10 per second, a mixer with minimum speed above 5 rpm may still produce G above 30 per second, providing insufficient turndown to optimise floc quality.
- 05
What are the installation requirements for shaft penetration through the tank wall or roof, and how is the shaft seal designed to prevent water ingress into the motor bearing housing?
Mixer shaft seals are the most common maintenance item. Top-entry mixers with above-water mechanical seals are easier to inspect and replace than submerged lip seals. For submersible mixers, the motor IP rating (typically IP68) and shaft seal design must be verified for continuous submergence at the maximum water depth. A mixer with an undersized seal or inadequate motor ingress protection is a routine breakdown risk, particularly in applications where the mixer runs continuously.
What drives cost in this category
4
- Mixer type and power requirement
- Static inline mixer for coagulant dosing (no moving parts): 500 to 5,000 GBP for DN 100 to DN 600 pipe diameter. Mechanical flash mixer (back-mix impeller, 10 to 30 s HRT tank): 3,000 to 15,000 GBP. Flocculator (slow-speed paddle or turbine, 500 to 2,000 L tank): 8,000 to 40,000 GBP. Large slow-speed flocculator (walking beam, baffled channel, 5,000 to 50,000 L per stage): 20,000 to 100,000 GBP per stage. Variable-speed drive upgrade to existing flocculators: 3,000 to 15,000 GBP per mixer including VFD panel.
- Material specification and corrosion resistance
- Standard carbon steel mixer with epoxy coating: baseline cost. 316L stainless steel wetted parts: 20 to 50 percent premium. PVDF or GRP-lined impeller for aggressive chemical environments: 30 to 70 percent premium over stainless. For coagulant dosing in ferric applications (low pH, corrosive), stainless steel 316L is the minimum acceptable specification; failure to specify adequate corrosion resistance leads to impeller and shaft replacement every 2 to 5 years versus 15 to 20 years for correctly specified materials.
- Energy consumption over operational life
- A 2.2 kW flocculator motor running continuously (8,760 hours per year) at 0.15 GBP per kWh costs 2,891 GBP per year in energy. Over a 20-year operating life at this rate, the energy cost (57,820 GBP) exceeds the capital cost of most small-to-medium flocculators. For larger digesters mixing at 15 to 22 kW continuously, energy cost over 20 years exceeds 400,000 GBP. Variable-frequency drive control reducing average power by 20 percent saves 80,000 GBP over the lifetime of a 22 kW mixer.
- Maintenance and seal replacement
- Mechanical seal replacement on a top-entry mixer (seals and consumables only): 500 to 2,000 GBP per event, typically every 3 to 7 years depending on seal quality and service conditions. Gearbox oil change (every 2 to 3 years): 200 to 600 GBP per event. Full gearbox overhaul (every 10 to 15 years): 3,000 to 10,000 GBP. Annual maintenance cost for a typical water treatment mixer (including scheduled visits, consumables, and seal inspection): 1,000 to 5,000 GBP per mixer.
Key regulations and standards
4
- Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016: Coagulation and Flocculation as BAT
- WS(WQ)R 2016 requires water undertakers to use appropriate treatment to ensure compliance with drinking water standards. DWI accepts coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation (including mixing equipment designed to achieve the required G-value and contact time) as Best Available Technique for removal of turbidity, colour, and microbial pathogens from surface water. DWI's Water Treatment Process Guidance Notes specify mixing design principles including G-value and Gt product requirements for each treatment stage.
- WRAS Approval: Mixer Materials for Potable Water Contact
- Mixer wetted surfaces (impellers, shafts, tank liners, seals) in contact with potable water or water used in food production must use WRAS-approved or DWI Regulation 31-listed materials that do not impart harmful levels of metals, organics, or microbiological contamination into the treated water. This includes all elastomers (O-rings, lip seals), coatings (epoxy, PFA), and metallic alloys. WRAS approval for complete mixer units is increasingly required by water companies as a procurement specification.
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER): Mixer Safety
- PUWER 1998 requires that all machinery (including water treatment mixers) is suitable for the intended use, maintained in safe condition, and provided with appropriate safeguarding. Key requirements: isolation switches within reach of the mixer (lockable for maintenance), guarding of rotating shafts and couplings, adequate access for maintenance without confined space entry where possible, and annual inspection by a competent person. PUWER inspection records must be maintained and made available to HSE on request.
- Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC, retained in UK as UK Machinery Regulations 2008): CE/UKCA Marking
- Water treatment mixers placed on the UK market after January 2021 must carry UKCA marking demonstrating conformance with essential health and safety requirements of the UK Machinery Regulations 2008 (equivalent to EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC). UKCA marking requires a technical file including risk assessment, test reports, and declaration of conformity. Mixers without UKCA marking cannot legally be placed on the UK market. From July 2025, UKCA marking replaced CE marking for goods placed on the GB market.