The A to Z of Alfa Laval Agitators: Types, Working Principles and Applications

 

Ever wonder how factories efficiently mix large quantities of liquid? It’s definitely not your regular household blender. This is why we need Alfa Laval Tank Agitator. These agitators are crucial in optimizing liquid mixing and blending, benefiting industries such as dairy, food, beverage, brewing, personal care, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Choosing the right agitator ensures an efficient mixing process while achieving consistency, stability, and product quality.

What is a Tank Agitator?

Agitators can be installed in pressurised and non-pressurised tanks, supporting sterile or aseptic applications when needed. The modular design of Alfa Laval agitators allows customisation into what you need in your industrial process. For example, be configured for particular duties and levels of finish, as well as for different tank shapes and sizes to meet your specific requirements. The benefit of this design is that it provides a maximum mixing effect with a minimum of energy input.

How does the Alfa Laval agitator work? At the core of an Alfa Laval agitator is an electric motor that transmits energy to the agitator shaft, either directly or via a gearbox. As the shaft rotates, energy-saving impellers generate a high flow rate with low shear, optimizing fluid movement within the tank. This process optimizes the effective mixing and blending of all the contents of the tank, reducing the shear forces that might affect the quality of the products.

Type of Alfa Laval Agitators

 

ALT (Top-Mounted Agitator)

Best for: Low-shear mixing for product that needs gentle handling

The Alfa Laval ALT is a top-mounted agitator with a free-hanging shaft, engineered for hygienic and energy-efficient mixing in both atmospheric and pressurized tanks. Designed with a modular system and EnSaFoil impellers, it delivers gentle product handling, low shear mixing, and optimal flow with minimal power consumption. Its clean-in-place (CIP) compatibility and compliance with EHEDG, FDA, and 3-A standards make it ideal for sterile and aseptic applications.

ALT (Top-Mounted Agitator)

ALTB (Top-Mounted Agitator)

ALTB (Top-Mounted Agitator)

Best for: High-purity and sanitary applications with strict hygiene requirements

The ALTB agitator shares the hygienic, modular design of the ALT but adds a bottom steady bearing, providing enhanced mechanical stability for larger or more demanding tank applications. This makes it suitable for high-viscosity products, tall tanks, or high-pressure conditions. Like the ALT, it incorporates energy-saving EnSaFoil impellers and supports CIP. The bottom bearing improves shaft alignment and extends service life while maintaining the same hygienic performance and low-energy operation. It’s ideal for sensitive or high-volume mixing duties across the same range of process industries?.

ALS (Side-Mounted Agitator)

Best for: Energy-efficient mixing in large tanks with minimal maintenance needs

The Alfa Laval ALS is a side-mounted agitator designed for tanks where vertical space is limited or side-entry access is preferred. Compact yet powerful, it supports hygienic mixing duties with easy maintenance and serviceability, often without needing to open the tank. It features a modular, energy-efficient design with EnSaFoil impellers that provide excellent axial flow and low shear. ALS agitators reduce operational costs while maintaining exceptional hygienic standards?.

ALS (Side-Mounted Agitator)

ALB (Bottom-Mounted Agitator)

ALB (Bottom-Mounted Agitator)

Best for: Gentle, efficient mixing with optimized tank space and easy cleaning access

The ALB agitator is purpose-built for bottom-mount installation in tanks requiring aseptic and ultra-hygienic conditions. Its design is highly customizable and offers excellent cleanability through CIP, making it especially suitable for sterile mixing environments. The low-shear EnSaFoil impellers ensure gentle product treatment, while the bottom placement eliminates shaft intrusion from the top, minimizing contamination risks. With easy access for external maintenance and a broad range of configuration options, the ALB is a robust, hygienic solution for a wide range of industry problems.

Applications of Alfa Laval Agitators

Alfa Laval agitators are designed for high levels of hygiene and cost-effective for a wide range of tank-based blending and mixing duties. Here are six key applications they support:

Keeps tank contents homogeneous

Keeps tank contents homogeneous

Storage tanks for milk, whey, cream, mixed dairy products, UHT products, etc.

Mixes different product components together

Mixes different product components together

Mix tanks for drinking yoghurt, fruit juices, flavoured milk products, sugar syrup products, oils, etc.

Disperses one product component within another

Disperses one product component within another

Tanks for powder proteins, vitamins, minerals, milk powder, oil mixes, etc.

Maintains a consistent suspension of particles in fluid

Maintains a consistent suspension of particles in fluid

Tanks for fluids such as fruit juices that contain either solid or semi-solid particles. Also used in crystallization tanks.

Ensures heat is transmitted evenly throughout a product mix

Ensures heat is transmitted evenly

Tanks fitted with a dimple jacket for either heating or cooling.

Handles dairy fermentation, mixing, and breaking coagulated particles

Handles dairy fermentation, mixing, and breaking coagulated particles

Fermentation tanks for yoghurt, crème fraîche, cheese cultures, etc.

Benefits of Alfa Laval Tank Agitators

  • Superior Mixing Efficiency
    • Delivers better mixing performance than conventional agitators, ensuring thorough blending and improved process results.
  • Exceptional Energy Savings
    • Unique impeller designs offer up to 80% lower power consumption and a significantly smaller carbon footprint, contributing to sustainable operations.
  • Flexible, Modular Design
    • Easily adaptable to specific tank and process requirements, the modular configuration with hygienic materials maximizes design flexibility and operational optimization.
  • Easy Installation and Maintenance
    • Engineered for ease of installation, operation, and servicing often without the need to enter the tank. Long-life seals and bearings reduce downtime and maintenance effort.
  • Reduced Wear and High Productivity
    • Low operating speeds minimize wear and extend component life, delivering continuous productivity with less maintenance.
  • Maximum Efficiency in Heat Absorption
    • Innovative impeller and shaft designs improve energy transfer and product absorption, making models like the ALB up to 400% more efficient than standard impellers.

Conclusion

Whether you’re mixing dairy products or handling pharmaceutical formulas, Alfa Laval agitators offer a smart, energy efficient solution specified to your industry’s needs. With their carefully made modular designs, superior mixing performance, and exceptional hygiene standards, these agitators are a guaranteed boost in process efficiency, product quality, and operational sustainability. By choosing Alfa Laval agitators, you’re not just stirring ingredients, you’re elevating your entire production process. Here at ABS Engineering, we’re here to help you find the right mixing solution for your application, contact us today to learn more.

*As an authorised Alfa Laval distributor, we are committed to delivering genuine solutions backed by technical expertise. Our partnership ensures reliable access to high-quality equipment and support tailored to your industry needs.