The types of agitators based on their configuration when it is installed in a mixing tank are the following:
Top Entry Agitators
Top entry agitators are installed at the overhead of the liquid level, commonly at the centerline of a baffled vessel. They are ideal for wide tanks with small aspect ratios (i.e., the ratio of liquid level to tank diameter) of about 1:1. They may be installed with an angle offset with the vertical to suspend solids in the solution effectively. They are suitable for sealed tanks and can be attached by plate mount or flange mount. Their structure and position allow easy dismantling and cleaning.
The top entry is the most common configuration found in industrial mixing.
Side Entry Agitators
Side entry agitators are installed on the sidewall of a tank. They are used when the width of the tank is much greater than the liquid level. They are also used in tanks with low ceiling clearance, which does not permit the installation of a top-entry agitator. However, less consistent mixing is achieved because the fluid is pushed along the walls of the tank. The fluid content must be drawn during maintenance. The power requirement of side entry agitators is also higher than top entry agitators.
Bottom Entry Agitators
Bottom entry agitators are installed at the bottom of the tank. They have a short shaft that is directly connected to the motor's driveshaft. Bottom entry agitators are used for mixing the materials which tend to settle at the tank bottom. They are commonly used in large volume tanks. They are used in homogenizing mixtures such as oils, milk, juices, and others.
