There are tons of Stirrers which have their personal qualities most especially for laboratory use. Each of those Stirrers is designed for a specific application. Without wasting further time, below gives a brief outline of the types of Stirrers and also what they are meant for.
Types Of Stirrers For Laboratory
These are Stirrers that include a hot plate. The thing about the stirrer hot plate is that there is a variety of materials by which this plate is made from. Some of them are:
- Ceramic: One good thing to know concerning the ceramic top plates is that they can resist chemicals. This makes them an ideal option for those people who have the intention to work with corrosive chemicals, especially as those chemicals can easily splash on the surface of the plate. Also, temperatures exceeding 450°C can be cleaned with relative ease.
In addition, the ceramic top plate is suitable for carrying out a task where having a clear visibility of a color is non-negotiable. While they have cool edges, it is not advisable to use the ceramic plate if heating is meant to occur around the plate.
It is important to avoid using the ceramic hot plates to heat liquids most especially in metal containers. Plus, you should avoid using them for any vessel that would reflect heat.
- Aluminum: Unlike ceramic plates which do poorly when being knocked, Aluminum top plates are capable of surviving those knocks especially as it is more robust.
Aluminum top plates are a bit more stable with any temperature even up to the edges of the top plate. This is the most ideal choice for individuals who intend to heat metal vessels.
Magnetic Stirrers: Magnetic Stirrers can cause a stir with the use of a magnetic field which rotates, provided a liquid is involved inside of it. A lot of magnetic Stirrers are ideal for low viscosity with little volumes. Notwithstanding, it would interest you to know that there are a couple of models that have been designed to accommodate high viscosity of large volumes.
Magnetic Stirrers plates are usually in two forms. They are made of stainless steel, or in some cases, ceramics.
- Ceramic: There are several things that make ceramic hotplates a popular choice. For one, they are mostly suitable for titrations due to the white surface which they possess, they can resist chemicals with relative ease. They are also suitable for carrying out a task where it is compulsory to have a clear and visible colors.
- Stainless steel: This top plate ensures a power coupling is executed since it doesn't have the ability to produce eddy currents such as the one Aluminum produces. This stirring action is done with ease.
Overhead Stirrers: Unlike magnetic Stirrers which are a bit rigid, Overhead Stirrers are more robust, especially as they are made of not only rods and stirrer, but also stands as well as paddles.
Overhead Stirrers are mostly used for viscous solutions with large volumes. Since the paddle types can create lots of stirring motions, they can be effectively used to accomplish different applications.
- Centrifugal: It doesn't only create axial flow, but can be used in vessels which have narrow necks. The speed can also be from medium to high as well.
- Paddle: It doesn't only create Tangential flow, but also has a low to medium speed. In order to prevent turbulence, it is recommended that you mix it in a gentle manner.
- Turbine: The main use of Turbine is to draw materials that are meant to be mixed. When in-use, axial flow here is created. One benefit of using it is that operators would have a reduced chance of encountering an injury especially when the elements are in frequent contact with the vessel. Plus, the speed levels fall between medium to high.
- Dissolver: This usually carries high turbulence and a radial flow. Its main use is for drawing the material to be mixed at both ends. It has a high shearing force and the speed level required here is from medium to high.
- Propeller: It does not only draw material from the top to the bottom, but also creates an axial flow as well. In addition, the propeller has a minimal shearing force with a flow efficient design. The recommended speed for it is between medium to high.
- Anchor: The anchor creates a tangential flow. It is also suitable for high viscosity liquids. Plus, it is recommended to operate it with low speed.
Specialty Stirrers: There are two kinds of specialty Stirrers, and they are:
- Submersible Stirrers: This stirrer is suitable to use in incubators or water baths, especially as they are mostly sealed. They have a wide temperature range and so would perform admirably well in ovens too.
- Biological Stirrers: The main purpose of this design is to stir biological samples. A good example of such a sample is cell cultures. It is not only germ and dust proof, but also can be stirred with relatively low heat being involved.