Stainless Mix Tanks and Agitated Vessels

Apache has expertise with agitated vessels including standard props, full sweep, scraper blades and high sheer rotating. We have partnerships with leading agitation manufacturers to provide the best agitation solution for your vessel.

All Mix Tanks are built to customer specifications. We commonly provide sight glasses, lights, rupture discs, spray balls and controls.

Apache also has in-house capabilities for passivation and electropolishing stainless finishes often required for process tanks.

 

 

Recent Posts

  • How to Troubleshoot a Pressure Tank Posted 4 years ago
    There are several reasons why a vessel may need service, however, two main causes why a vessel may need service are either accident or performance related. In the case of an accident, such as a tool falling into the tank and causing damage; surface scratches and dents can typically be repaired on-site, provided they do not go beyond minimum requirements, with mechanical polishing or hand/wand electropolishing.  Reduced agitator performance or failure is often due to worn parts, improper assembly or a bent or broken shaft.  Agitator repairs may be addressed with the agitator manufacturer or the vessel manufacturer, depending on the situation, down-time, and severity of the failure. When troubleshooting a drop in pressure in a tank or vessel, a typical cause is often related to seals. One sign of seal failure is product coming out of the seal.  To help reduce the frequency of an unexpected seal leak occurring, it is recommended to use a good seal maintenance program to solve a lot of pressure / performance issues, such as: •    Seal replacement has been neglected •    Flat spots on seals are a ...
  • What is the Significance of Domestic and Foreign Stainless Steel for Original Commercial Equipment? Posted 4 years ago
    The steel material used in manufacturing commercial original equipment must fit the performance, pricing, delivery time, and quality requirements for the end-user. Industrial equipment suppliers, like Apache, must leverage relationships with mills and partnering suppliers to manage the constantly changing market. Part of the purchasing program for the stainless material program at Apache, focuses on partnering with quality domestic and foreign suppliers.  Stainless sheet and plate are produced in the United States, which is the majority of Apache’s base material for tanks, vessels and food processing equipment. Also, most Hastelloy and other high-alloy performance metal materials are made in the US. Pipes and fittings on the other hand are primarily from foreign suppliers since domestically there is not enough availability for demand.  Depending on the political climate, import tariffs affect the cost and availability of steel material from China and other countries. Some industries require products from foreign markets that may be a specific sheet, size, and material type, but those industries will pay a premium for it and may be subjected to extended delivery times.  One of the benefits to being ...
  • 24" Diameter - 150 Liter Mixing Pharma Tank Posted 8 years ago
    In the video, this 150 liter mixing Pharmaceutical Vessel has a bottom mag mixer that comes with a stainless steel control panel, touch screen with speed control. There are numerous sanitary ports for add-ins, CIP spray ball, and sight glass with LED light. The interior surface materials and welds are all ground and polished with an electropolished finish. The sidewall and bottom head are dimple jacketed with Thermalox coating, insulation and shroud for heat transfer operations. The side wall has sampling ports with optional sparger tubes to assist the agitation process. The tank features a 24" hinged man way top with tool-less knobs and is easily portable. Upcoming Pharmaceutical Shows: ISPE, Raleigh, SC (March 14 Convention Center) - Booth 322 - Meet Nick Buchda and Ryan Metzdorf. Interphex, NY (March 21-23 Javits Center) - Booth 3942 - Meet David Foulkes and Mike Peterson.
  • Side Agitated Vertical Tank Serves as Large Stock Pot in Sauce Processing Application Posted 8 years ago
    This side agitator was engineered to mix food products with a high percentage of solids and viscosity in the processing of soups, sauces, marinades and gravies. The 2500 gallon tank acts as a large stock pot as part of the manufacturing process. On the left photo, the tank (shown horizontal during manufacturing) was equipped with a half pipe jacket, which was pumped with heated fluid as required by the application. On the right, the tank head shows fittings and man way entry. Apache’s agitation, heat transfer and finishing technologies include: Vertical and horizontal agitation capabilities High shear, turbine, full sweep, scraping, counter rotating and baffled technology for mixing and blending Dimple jackets, half or third pipe jackets, internal coils for heating or cooling applications In-house passivation, pickle-passivation and electropolishing services For more information, visit Apache's Mix Tank page.
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What type of materials does Apache have experience with?

In Apache's Beaver Dam facility, we work with 300 grade stainless materials, predominantly 304/L and 316/L. We also work with high alloy materials such as AL6XN, duplex 2304, 2205 and 2507, Inconel and Hastelloy.

What certifications does Apache uphold?

NB/ASME U Certificate for Beaver Dam, WI

NB/ASME UM Certificate for Beaver Dam, WI

CE Marking Permission for Beaver Dam, WI

R Repair Certificate National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors, Beaver Dam, WI

SELO License for Beaver Dam, WI

What types of heat transfer surfaces are available?

Dimple jacket, half-pipe, conventional jacket, electrical heat tracing.

What size heads can you fabricate?

We can fabricate Heads, anywhere from 30” (2’6”) to 192” (16’) Diameter, with the thickness being 12 ga. to ¾” Stainless and up to 7/8” Carbon.

What types of heads does Apache offer?

ASME F&D, F&D, Shallow F&D, Flat, Cone, Sloped, Hemi, Elliptical

What types of testing does Apache offer?

Liquid Dye Pentrant testing, hydrostatic testing, sprayball Riboflavin testing, pharmaceuticial drain testing, surface finish testing, PMI (Positive Material Identification), and radiography (at an additional cost).

What types of fittings are offered?

Depending on the application, we provide ANSI B16.5 150#, 300#, etc. RFWN, RFSO and Lap Joint flanges, studding outlet (pad) flanges for standard ASME applications. For sanitary applications we also provide tri-clamp ferrules, tank bottom diaphragm valves such as ASEPCO, GEMU, PBM, NOVASEPTIC, etc.

What finishes are available?

Mill, 2B, No. 4, No. 4A, Bead Blast, Passivation, Pickle Passivation and electropolishing

What is your tank weight capacity?

The weight limitation is dependent on the tank/vessel configuration, typically we want to keep the vessel below 70,000 lbs. We have built tanks weighing 250,000 lbs., but special consideration with outside riggers was required.

How wide of a tank can Apache build?

15 ft. diameter is the maximum typically.

What types of outlet valves are available?

Ball valves, diaphragm valves and gate valves. Some offer manual or pneumatic actuation options.

Who will coordinate my project?

A project engineer will coordinate communications, schedules and questions. There will also be a technical specialist that works on your project.

When does a tank need to be ASME Code stamped?

ASME Code is generally required on tanks above 15 psig or vacuum applications.

What types of insulation does Apache offer?

Mineral wool in various densities and foam glass. We can take a look at other insulation requirements that you may have.

What is a wetted surface?

A wetted surface is a product contact surface or interior surface. It includes area in nozzles up to the gaskets.

What types of FAT testing does Apache offer?

Hydro, Riboflavin, dye penetrant, saline, drain ability, radiography, agitation run testing

How do you keep customers abreast of the schedule?

On larger projects, updates to the schedule are communicated upon drawing approval submission, then once per month, after project changes or per customer requirements.

Does Apache manufacture their own agitators?

We work with leading agitator manufacturers and we also have made custom agitators for special applications.

When do I use tri-clamp versus bolted connections?

Use tri-clamp connections for sanitary and quick connection applications.