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For mixing, how do I convert from hydraulic power to an electric motor?

Q: Presently we are using hydraulic drive for the mixing of our paint ingredients in 150 lit mixer pot (maximum viscosity 35000 cP at RT).This pot is having heavy duty stirrer centrally located and one cowler at the off center (pot wall side located). The directions of these stirrers are opposite to each other. The shaft diameter of center stirrer is 52mm and of cowler is 40.5mm. Can I convert this to electrical drive? Also we are going to have 300 lit capacity new pot mixer so can I go for electrical drive instead of hydraulic drive to get cost benefit?

A:

Information about the shaft diameter is not particularly useful in evaluating a mixer, since the load carried by the shaft depends on the motor power and shaft speed.  Without that information, little else can be estimated or evaluated.
 
The simple answer to converting from hydraulic power to an electric motor is that the electric motor must be explosion proof, given that you are working with solvents, which are present in most paint.  The motor power depends on the impeller sizes and rotational speeds more than the shaft sizes.  You cannot attach an electric motor directly to the shaft sizes mentioned, so bearing supports or speed reducers are necessary.
 
Without more specific information, about the only answer is that a properly sized explosion-proof motor could replace a hydraulic drive in most cases.


The answers by this expert are based on the best available interpretation of the information provided.  The consequences of the application of this information are the responsibility of the user.  If clarification is needed, please submit a further question.

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