Happy Holidays from Sharpe Mixers!

Happy Holidays from everyone at Sharpe Mixers!

Washington International

Mike Crowley, founder of Washington International, recently paid a visit to our Seattle facility. Washington International is Sharpe Mixers' authorized sales representative for China, and has been a large reason for Sharpe's success in the China market the last several years.

Mike is currently working hard to combat fake Sharpe mixers and parts being sold in China, as well as misrepresentation by other companies and individuals claiming to represent Sharpe Mixers.

"They say that copying is the sincerest form of flattery. So, we at Sharpe Mixers, should be really flattered by all the attention, and the number of companies and individuals that are copying our products and spare parts. Unfortunately, the companies and individuals that are copying our products, are having our customers confusing them with us, and that is just no good.", Mike explains.

"The down side is our customers are paying high prices for mixers and spare parts, that are not authentic high quality Sharpe Mixers products."

To aid Mike in his quest, Sharpe Mixers has created an Authenticity Form where customers can check the authenticity of quotes, mixers and purchased parts. We think this will be a great tool in curbing the problem of fake parts and misrepresentation in China.

Jeremy Higginson Promoted to Vice President of Engineering

Jeremy has been with the company for twelve years, beginning in August, 1998 when he hired on as a starting level design engineer. Based on his competence in the various duties associated with engineering, he was promoted to Director of Design Engineering in 2002. In the years that followed Jeremy created a very organized Engineering Department, improving the efficiency and accuracy of the daily tasks, created several computer programs that improved our engineering capacity a great deal. While many of these advances can also be attributed to the other engineers on board, Jeremy has certainly set a good example of how a manager should run their department.

Jeremy has also been elected as a member of Sharpe Mixers’ Board of Directors, joining Steve Drury, Tiffanie Tatick, and Jay Dinnison, helping set the goals for Sharpe Mixers’ future. His attention to detail and organization will help our company grow in a controlled, planned way towards success. We have full confidence that this position will serve the company well.

Breaking Down Process Applications

Nearly every product we use in our daily lives has been touched in some way by a fluid mixer. From food and beverage to waste treatment, from pulp and paper to the vast chemical processing industry, liquid mixers are indispensable.

The number of different products requiring mixing is infinite, and each product has unique manufacturing requirements. Fluid mixers are called upon to blend miscible or immiscible liquids, suspend or dissolve solids in liquid products, disperse gasses within a fluid or to merely provide flow within a tank to promote heat transfer. Sharpe Mixers builds many types of mixing equipment to meet these requirements, but they all operate on the same basic principle, using rotating impellers to "pump" the fluid within a tank.

An easy way to arrange process applications into categories indicating degree of difficulty is a broad spectrum divided into three seperate parts:

A "white" process is defined as one which is a straightforward, easily accomplished task. For example, simple dissolving, or blending and storing low viscosity materials. These are jobs that can be satisfied by simply selecting a stock mixer, from portables to our E and N Series.

A "gray" process is more complex, and may require pilot plant testing before a mixer design can be determined. Depending on the shade of gray, the resulting mixer could be similar to an E or N Series or completely "designed from scratch" to satisfy many special requirements. All white applications - and many gray applications utitlize standard impellers, reducers, and motor designs - and the determining criteria is often one of size, scale, or materials of construction.

A "black" process implied deep, dark magic. In reality, it is here where all of the best engineering, pilot planting, and special designing techniques are required to satisfy process variables. This could mean specially designed impellers, reducers or sealing devices, using exotic materials and special motors. "Black" process specifications are the most difficult to satisfy.

Sharpe Mixers has the facilities, the personnel, the experience and the know-how to handle all these processes. What are your mixing needs? How can we help you?

Sharpe Mixers and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Sharpe Mixers manufactures industrial liquid mixing equipment for various industries, including many that may be funded in partly or in whole by government programs.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is a bill providing for a wide variety of appropriations and other government programs. The “Buy American” provision within the bill, Section 1605 of Division A of the ARRA, provides that (with certain exceptions explained in the bill) the funds appropriated or made available by the ARRA may not be used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron, steel, and other manufactured goods used in any projects receiving funding provided through the project are “produced in the United States.”

ARRA regulation 48 CFR § 25.602 explains that the requirement of “production in the United States” refers to the manufacturing processes of the iron, steel and other manufactured goods. The regulation provides that “there is no requirement with regard to the origin of components or subcomponents in other manufactured construction material, as long as the manufacture of the construction material occurs in the United States.” Further, the requirement of production in the United States “does not apply to steel or iron used as components or subcomponents of other manufactured construction material.”

Sharpe’s factory in Seattle, WA manufactures the entire range of its machinery and parts using locally sourced raw materials when available. Design, machining, welding, fabrication and assembly of the equipment is done at Sharpe’s Seattle factory, or by local subcontractors. All sub-components, such as motors and gear reducers, will be manufactured in the USA when ARRA regulations are specified.

Nearly all components used in Sharpe Mixers’ small portable mixer line are cast, fabricated, machined and processed in the USA. However, any orders specifying “Buy American” construction will use locally built alternatives for any foriegn sourced parts.

Based on the criteria specified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Sharpe Mixers products are “produced or manufactured in the United States” as required by the regulation.

High Country Stainless

Glen Monaghan and Ken Cliff of High Country Stainless recently paid Sharpe Mixers a visit and toured our manufacturing facility here in Seattle. The tour was led by none other than our National Sales Manager, Fred DeCicco.

High Country Stainless has extensive experience in the water, food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, and now serves as Sharpe Mixers' exclusive sanitary market sales representatives for British Columbia, Canada.

How can they assist your process needs? Contact them today and find out!

Sharpe Mixers Meets with U.S. Secretary Gary Locke

In 2004, Sharpe Mixers participated in then Governor Gary Locke's "Governor's Mission to China". The trip was a success and paid immediate dividends as Sharpe quickly became a leading provider of fluid-gas desulferization absorber mixers in China.

Now holding the title of U.S. Commerce Secretary, Locke recently returned to Washington state to discuss the progress of the president's National Export Initiative. A select handful of small and medium-sized business owners from the Seattle area were invited to his keynote address and a roundtable discussion. Amongst the attendees was our CEO/President, Jay Dinnison.

Dinnison said, "I was honored to have been included in this small roundtable discussion with Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. Sharpe Mixers received help on several occasions in years past when he was Governor Locke of Washington State, and he remembered us as one of the success stories from his Trade Mission to China in 2004. He also met with one of our customers in 2005 to help seal a pending order that was key in our success in China. Sharpe Mixers has since sold around a thousand mixers into China and continues to do business in the region."

He further explained, "Secretary Locke was visiting Seattle to discuss President Obama’s National Export Initiative and get input from businesses on how to better serve this purpose. He explained that US manufacturing exports have increased 22% in the past year; showing that President Obama’s goal of doubling US exports over the next five years is currently on track. I made a number of contacts at the meeting and received information on how to further promote Sharpe Mixers in other countries as well. While I can’t say our exports have increased recently as a direct result of this initiative, there is no disputing that Gary Locke’s assistance in the past has resulted in many millions in business for us overseas. Sharpe has also seen an increase in business in 2010 as a result of Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; a welcome boost to our business which had seen a drop after the financial meltdown in 2008. I am very excited for the future of Sharpe Mixers under the current administration."

Shear vs. Viscosity

What is shear vs. viscosity?

A Pascal second is 1,000 cp (most viscosity is reported as mPs; milli Pascal seconds these days) So 0.5 Pascal seconds is 500 cp

Inverse second is the shear rate. So this result would imply that the viscosity is shear dependent (non Newtonian)

By taking a minimum of three readings of viscosity at different shear rates we calculate the shear rate dependence using the least squares method of curve fitting. As the relationship is exponential it can be plotted on log/log and calculated for any shear rate. Note that we use different spindle speeds for this method, we know (or can calculate) the so called shear rate constant for the known geometry of the specific spindle. Also note that only cylindrical spindles can be used for this method because the geometry is well defined. Disc spindles are not appropriate.

For mixer design the “apparent” viscosity is dependent on the impeller speed and the impeller’s own shear rate constant. Although Sharpe has not determined the shear rate constant for our impellers we do use published values, which are fine as the margin of error is no big deal when working with power law fluids.

For the HF218 the constant is 10

For Axial it is 11

For anchors and double helix it is 20

So the “apparent” viscosity of a HF218 at 350 rpm would be determined from the viscosity vs. shear rate at a shear rate of 350rpm/60 X 10 = 58/sec

Baffle recommendations need to be determined at low shear rates (as at the tank wall the viscosity is by definition infinite; the shear rate would be zero and dividing the shear stress by zero is infinite)

Typically a shear rate of 2/sec is used for baffle design. In most cases baffles need to be small or not used. For example a lime slurry may have a viscosity close to the tank wall of over 10,000 cp. Standard baffles for this would simply create dead zones and effectively reduce the tank diameter for mixing by the baffle width x 2. So for stuff like fruit slurries (ketchup, pop tart fillings, etc.) with very high “shear thinning index” on center, no baffles, slow speed to minimize cavity formation is the correct design.

By Jeremy Higginson, P.E.
Direct of Engineering

RD Dry-Running Mechanical Seal Update

In our original post about our dry-running RD seal we mentioned that the next generation would be fully ASME BPE compliant as a standard, unlike seals from other manufacturers: http://sharpemixers.blogspot.com/2009/07/next-generation-dry-running-mechanical.html. We introduced new grades of elastomers for specific use in high end biopharm applications. These elastomers meet or exceed the requirements of USP grade materials. The seal elastomers have the following properties:

• Available in EPDM (standard), FPM (Viton®^a equivalent⁾, Silicone, & FFPM (Kalrez®^a equivalent⁾.



• Full traceability



• Properly postcured



• Contain no ingredients derived from animals



• Free from melamine and mercury



• Complies with the FDA Code of Federal Regulations for rubber and rubber-like materials under Title 21, Paragraph 177.2600.



• Complies with the 3-A Sanitary Standards for rubber and rubber-like materials used as product contact surfaces in dairy equipment, number 18-03, Class II.



• Compound has passed testing in accordance with the current USP section <87> and <88> Class VI – 121°C or ISO/AAMI/ANSI 10993-5, 6, 10 and 11.

The seal has gone through some design changes as well to better meet the requirements of BPE:

· The ID of the debris well is tapered for drainability.

· The debris well flush ports are angled for drainability.

· Debris well gasket has been replaced by an o-ring which mounts close to the flange hole.

· Heat number for wetted metal parts are etched on the parts.

· Silicone Carbide (standard) and Tungsten Carbide static faces are available, as well as Hastelloy® ^b C-276 & AL-6XN®^c metal parts.

· Various finishes, including electropolish & passivation are available.

a - Viton® & Kalrez® are the registered trademarks of DuPont Performance Elastomers.

b - Hastelloy® is a registered trademark of Haynes International, Inc.

c - AL-6XN® is a registered trademark of Allegheny Ludlum Corp.

Spare Drives for Municipality

Down times are often not an option for many of our customers. Does this hold true for you?

Recently, a water treatment facility recognized that their floculator mixers had been in service for over a decade. Due to the critical nature of their operation, they realized they should have spare drives on hand to minimize any possible down time.

Sharpe Mixers received an order for 22 spare mixer drives, and went to work immediately to provide them in the best possible delivery time. Not only did we meet the delivery date, we beat it by 10 days!

How can we help you with your spare part needs? Contact us today and let us know!

Electric or Air Powered Stainless Mixer Stands

Our line of electric and air powered stainless mixer stands have really taken off in popularity. These stands are a result of uncompromising demands for quality and versitality. The modular construction offers simple and precise adjustment for various applications. The stands are constructed in SS316, and available in 36", 48" and 60" sizes.

Be sure and check out our latest product release in Processing magazine. Brochures can be downloaded directly from our web site at www.sharpemixers.com.

Excluder Seal Kits

Excluder seals are a type of lip seal that actually rotates with the shaft. The skirt extends out and slightly downward to seal small tank openings.

Sharpe Mixers' excluder seal kits have really gained in popularity over the last couple of years, especially in the food industry. Seals are are available in almost any size from 1.0" to 6.63" as a standard. They are available in both Buna N and Viton material.

Buna excluder seal kits are our most popular, and suitable for most applications. They are stocked and available for quick shipment (excluding large quantity orders).

Viton excluder seal kits are designed for higher temperature applications, and can ship in 1-2 weeks.

For more information, visit our web site at http://www.sharpemixers.com/!

Expedited Shipments

At Sharpe Mixers, we enjoy the flexibility to work with our valued customers in expediting important ship dates when necessary. Let's face it, even with the best planning, emergencies can still pop up from time to time. Suddenly a standard shipment schedule isn't good enough to meet our customer's needs.

How do we help our customers to meet critical deadlines in such emergencies? We expedite! Most often, we can improve ship dates with an additional fee. This allows us to authorize overtime in engineering and production to get the job done, without affecting other jobs in house.

The mixer pictured here is going into a crystalizer feed tank. It's a special impeller and includes Hasetelloy C276 wetted parts. Special alloys can add to lead times, and require longer fabrication times. Standard delivery on such a mixer would be 10-12 weeks.

In this case, we promised delivery in 6 weeks - and delivered in 5! That's right, we beat our own estimate by a full week!

How can we help you?

Impellers, Impellers, Impellers!

Recently we accepted a large order for impellers and steady bearing assemblies from a large food producer. However, it wasn't without its challenges. The task? To manufacture 30 large hydrofoil style impellers and 6 steady bearing assemblies in only 10 days. This would require over 140 hours of blade forming and fabrication hours - a huge task! We completed the job in just 9 days - one day sooner than promised!

Pictured here are the first 12 completed impellers. They will next be cleaned up for appearance and go through a rigorous inspection process by an engineer before being released for final packaging and shipment.

How can we help you with your RUSH needs? Let us know!

Agitation in the Water & Wastewater Treatment Industry

The water & wastewater treatment industries offer many applications for agitation equipment. Both industrial and municipal plants require mixing equipment for many of their treatment processes. Potable water, boiler water, process water, wastewater are some examples.

Sharpe Mixers offers mechanical agitators for use in the many applications where liquid mixing is required.

The wide-ranging scope of products can handle mixing volumes from 50-gallon drums through multi-million gallon holding tanks.

Some examples of applications include
Chemical make-up and storage
Polymers, Lime slurry, Magnesium Hydroxide, carbon slurry, process water aids
Influent-Effluent Rapid Mixing
Chemical addition in high rate continuous systems
Sludge Blending and Storage
Polymer-sludge blending with the patented SimFlocc high-speed in-line blender
Slow speed low shear mixing for sludge storage
Equalization
Side entry agitators installed on large influent equalization tanks
Neutralization & pH control
Rapid addition and blending of pH adjustment chemicals
Anoxic and Anaerobic Mixing
Provide mild agitation without aeration using Up-Flow HYLFO hydrofoils
Flocculation
Slow Speed top entry agitators equipped with low shear HYFLO hydrofoil impellers and variable speed drives are the state of the art for municipal water treatment plants.
Filtration Backwash
Filtration media is washed for re-cycle.

The Sharpe Mixers product line ranges from fractional horsepower clamp-on portable mixers up to 300 hp top and side entry agitators. A wide variety of drive configurations are offered, including helical and worm gear reducers and v-belt drives. Various motor types and variable speed drive options are available. Wetted parts are available in a wide variety of materials such as SS316, Duplex Stainless Steels, plastic and rubber coatings.