Protein dispersion and mixing system for beverage manufacturing (solid-liquid mixing)

In dispersion processes, the occurrence of agglomerates (clumps) during powder addition, which cannot be resolved in subsequent dispersion stages, is a common issue in many settings. The cause of this is that the powder does not wet uniformly in the liquid, leading to the formation of localized high-concentration areas. These agglomerates are also referred to as "fisheyes," and due to their internal unwetted structure, they are difficult to break apart. Once an agglomerate forms during powder addition, liquid has difficulty penetrating its interior, resulting in only the outer layer being wetted, which makes it hard for the internal particles to be disintegrated. Additionally, depending on the addition position and speed, the powder may float on the liquid surface or remain stagnant without following the flow within the equipment, promoting the formation of agglomerates. Particularly under conditions of high viscosity or high solid content, the low fluidity makes it challenging to achieve uniformity in the initial dispersion stage, leading to a higher likelihood of agglomerates remaining. Such agglomerates may not be completely resolved even with strong shear in subsequent processes, causing variations in the quality of the final product and introducing foreign substances. To prevent the formation of agglomerates, it is crucial to improve wettability during powder addition, ensure appropriate addition positions and flow design, and optimize the initial dispersion. By performing shear and mixing simultaneously right after addition, as in inline powder addition and simultaneous dispersion, it is possible to suppress the formation of agglomerates and achieve stable dispersion quality.

In dispersion engineering, issues such as unresolved agglomeration, sedimentation, and unstable particle size distribution occur frequently at many sites. These problems are caused not only by the performance of the equipment but also by inconsistencies in particle characteristics, dispersion conditions, and process design. For example, when there is insufficient dispersion energy, particles do not break down to primary particles, and agglomeration remains. Additionally, if the shear conditions or flow state are not appropriate, uniform dispersion cannot be achieved, leading to sedimentation and variations in quality. Particularly in high-viscosity systems or high solid content slurries, even slight differences in conditions can significantly impact the results. Furthermore, in batch processing, variations in mixing uniformity and residence time make it difficult to ensure reproducibility. To resolve these dispersion issues, it is important to optimize the entire process, including particle characteristics, dispersion energy, and flow design, rather than simply changing the equipment. By maintaining consistent conditions, as in inline continuous processing, stable dispersion quality and reproducibility can be achieved.