Rotated Arc Mixing Technology (RAM)

FUTURE MANUFACTURING
www.csiro.au
Rotated Arc Mixing Technology (RAM)
Mixing the unmixable
Rotated Arc Mixing RAM is a new technology that will revolutionise industrial materials
mixing for a wide range of applications. It has no beaters, blades or stirrers. Instead
it works through an outer cylinder rotating around a fixed inner cylinder which has
openings cut into it. The result is twice as efficient as conventional static mixers – with a
96 per cent reduction in energy use.
The technology
As the fluid flows through the inner
cylinder, the outer cylinder rotates at
high speed, creating stresses that pass
through the openings and stir the fluid
materials in the inner cylinder. When
the fluid passes by the next opening,
this flow is reoriented. This results in
highly effective chaotic mixing – twice
as efficient as conventional static mixers
– with a significant reduction in energy
use – as much as 96 per cent.
Static mixers can clog and develop
fibrous materials, chemical scale or
viscous fouling, requiring frequent
cleaning. The simple design of RAM
mixers and the lack of internal baffles
and plates, means they need less
frequent maintenance and are easier to
clean, reducing downtime. They readily
meet Clean-In-Place (CIP) and Good
Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
Other mixers such as stirred tank mixers
often have areas that the beaters,
rotors, blades or stirrers cannot reach.
This leads to stagnant areas, reducing
the quality of the mix and resulting in
significant
Computer model of RAM mixing process.
wastage. RAM dual-cylinder design
means that no region in the mixer is
static, resulting in consistent blends.
Chaotic mixing is also gentle on delicate
ingredients. The low shear of RAM
mixers means they can effectively mix
sensitive materials.
RAM mixers are readily scaleable to
plant size. RAMeX — a heat exchange
technology based on RAM offers a new
method of mixing and heat exchange for
highly viscous fluids without the need
for the current methods of using stirrers,
impellers and plates.
Market and application
RAM has applications across areas
such as:
◆◆Food and beverages – RAM mixers
are ideal for blending powders into
viscous sugar syrups. Their low
shear means they will not inhibit the
formation and growth of particles or
aggregate in a crystalliser
cosmetics and pastes are prone to
clogging. The simplicity of design in
RAM mixers eliminates the potential
for blockages and eliminates or
significantly reduces wastage and
downtime
◆◆Coatings, adhesives, sealants and
elastomers – RAM mixers can
efficiently blend fibres, pigments and
micro- and nano-particles into viscous
multi-polymer liquids to increase the
strength and durability of materials.
RAMeX chaotic mixing creates very
fine-scale structures within a polymer
melt ideal for difficult new applications
such as electrically conducting
polymers
◆◆Fermentation and a range of biotech
processes– these processes require
ingredients such as bacteria, yeast
and nutrients to be mixed in large
fermentation tanks
◆◆Personal and consumer products –
static mixers used in the manufacture
of a range of products such as
Prototype RAM mixer.
A RAMeX bio-reactor can also be used
for mixing viscous cell cultures with
nutrients and oxygen, with minimal
stress on the cells being grown.
◆◆Explosives – regions of high shear may
produce poor mixing in explosives
resulting in inferior or unpredictable
performance. The low shear qualities
of RAM mixers ensure comprehensive
mixing
◆◆Any mixing operation that requires
efficient clean operation – the simple
design makes RAM mixers easy to
clean, with no internal elements
for material to stick to. This enables
significant reduction of contamination
for CIP/GMP. RAM is equally effective
in mixing batches or continuous flows
◆◆Processes where heating or cooling
needs to be carefully managed –
placement of the openings, flow
rate and rotation rate can be fully
customised to make production safe,
reliable and cost effective. Laboratory
trials of RAMeX show it achieves
homogenous heating or cooling using
a smaller heat exchange unit and more
quickly than standard mixers or heat
exchangers.
Working with CSIRO
About us
RAMeX is CSIRO patented technology
and is now ready for commercial
development. CSIRO is seeking to
partner with established manufacturers
of industrial equipment to develop this
technology for in markets including
paints, pharmaceuticals, and explosives.
CSIRO is Australia’s national science agency that has within it a number
of flagships that translate research into real world impacts. The Future
Manufacturing Flagship (FMF) works primarily with industry to provide
manufacturing research and commercialisation services.
FMF operates within three focus areas based around sustainable and high
performance materials, advanced processing and the development of
disruptive or transformational manufacturing technologies.
Each of these focus areas has within it cutting edge expertise that can be
deployed for the benefit of our clients. Flexible engagement models in coinvestment and contract research or the licensing of intellectual property are
available to enable the development of strong and durable partnerships.
CONTACT US
YOUR CSIRO
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
t 1300 363 400
+61 3 9545 2176
[email protected]
wwww.csiro.au
Australia is founding its future on
science and innovation. Its national
science agency, CSIRO, is a powerhouse
of ideas, technologies and skills for
building prosperity, growth, health and
sustainability. It serves governments,
industries, business and communities
across the nation.
Future Manufacturing Flagship
Dr Mark Trigg
Business Development Manager
Manufacturing Technologies for Transport
and Mining
t +61 3 9545 2210
[email protected]
wwww.csiro.au/Future-Manufacturing
Mr Mark Burgess
Director, Business Development and
Commercialisation
t +61 3 9545 2114
[email protected]
wwww.csiro.au/Future-Manufacturing

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