PAX Water Technologies had a great time in Dallas at ACE12 last week – our new THM Removal System (TRS) was featured at the New Product Technology Showcase and we fielded many great questions from ACE12 attendees at our booth. We always appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from operators and engineers about their water quality challenges.   

We want to share the top five mixing questions we heard at ACE:

1) How does something so small (PAX Water Mixer) circulate a 10 MG tank?

Many people are surprised when they see a full-sized PAX Water Mixer at our booth and realized how small it is (about 4 ft. tall and wide, weighing only 62lbs.) relative to a multi-million gallon storage tank. Despite its small size, the PAX Water Mixer is the most powerful storage tank mixer on the market. A single PAX Water Mixer is able to completely circulate a 10 MG storage tank. The key to our mixer’s performance is the patented Lily impeller, which mimics the natural flow patterns of whirlpools and tornados to achieve highly efficient fluid flow inside tanks. PAX Water Technologies uses Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling to predict mixing performance in a variety of tank shapes and sizes. We also use temperature data and residual measurements from inside the tank to verify the performance of our mixer (read our case studies to learn more).

2) How is the PAX Water Mixer installed?

Unlike other mixing systems, the PAX Water Mixer is easy to install and maintain. Mixers can be installed with a diver, without requiring heavy cranes, tank alterations or taking the tank offline. The mixer fits easily through the hatch and is generally placed at or near the center of the tank. There are several mixer mounting options to choose from, depending on tank shape and style.  

3) Can the PAX Water Mixer work in elevated tanks?

The PAX Mixer has been successfully installed and operated in all tank geometries and sizes, including multi-legged, spheroid and hydropillar tanks. It can effectively mix elevated tanks even when there is a central riser or support post in the tank. The power of the mixer allows it to be offset slightly from the middle of the tank, and still provide a complete mix. In elevated tanks with sloping floors, we can tether the mixer to the floor or install a pedestal stand.

4) How is the PAX Water Mixer powered?

The PAX Water Mixer has a 48V DC motor that is water filled and water lubricated. The motor connects to a control center, which is generally mounted on the outside of the tank and may be operated on electric grid or solar power. The PAX Water Mixer is NSF certified.

5) How does mixing help remove THMs? Aeration is a natural process where water is infused with air to volatilize and remove Trihalomethanes (THMs) from water. Vigorous mixing brings water to the surface where THMs can evaporate. But only the most powerful mixers, such as the PAX Water Mixer, are capable of this.  

• Are there any additional questions you’d like to get answered about mixing? Feel free to add your own by commenting on this post.