Abstract Summary (Max 250 words)
This study investigates the mixing performance of a newly designed impeller developed to improve homogenization efficiency in high-viscosity systems while maintaining the grinding and dispersion performance characteristic of the Cowles-type geometry. Experimental observations indicate that the limited homogenization performance of the conventional Cowles impeller in viscous media primarily originates from geometric constraints that restrict the generation of strong bulk circulation and axial flow components. Based on these findings, a novel impeller geometry was designed and manufactured to enhance macro-mixing while preserving the high shear regions required for grinding and particle dispersion. The performance of the new impeller was evaluated through comparative mixing trials. Homogenization efficiency was assessed using colorimetric analysis and visual uniformity of mixtures produced under comparable operating conditions. The results demonstrate that the newly developed impeller significantly improves homogenization in high-viscosity systems while maintaining comparable grinding and blending performance to the conventional Cowles impeller. These findings suggest that appropriate modifications to impeller geometry can substantially enhance mixing efficiency in viscous formulations without compromising dispersion capability. The impeller geometry investigated in this study is protected under the European patent titled “Mixing Tank Impeller,” granted by the European Patent Office under patent number EP4454741 on 10 September 2025. The patent is assigned to Kansai Altan Boya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., and the author of this work is the inventor of the patented impeller design. The experimental study presented in this paper reflects the scientific evaluation and laboratory-scale validation of this patented mixing technology.
