MLM Details



	Design features

The ECE MLM (Minimix Laboratory Mixer) is the smallest, lightest, lowest cost jar tester system available. With a footprint of only 14” x 3”, a height of 7”, and a total weight of under 7 lb (3 kg), the Minimix system can go anywhere with ease.

The Minimix is not intended to be a substitute for full-featured jar tester systems such as our CLM models. It has been specifically designed for those users whose applications make its ultra-compact features important. Such users might include chemical sales representatives, consulting engineers, environmental scientists, water treatment plant troubleshooters, regulatory authorities, and others whose work involves travel to different locations and where transporting a larger unit may at times be a problem. Also, the smaller 500 mL jar size is often a significant advantage in off-site work, where available sample volumes are usually limited.

To achieve the Minimix’s compact size and light weight, we have eliminated certain features such as built-in illumination and mixer speed tachometer. While these are undoubtedly desirable features, their lack certainly does not mean that the Minimix cannot be used for serious, accurate work.

Some of the main features of the Minimix system are described below.


	Removable mixer unit

The Minimix system consists of two main components - the mixer unit, and the integrated four-jar sample container. In use, the jars are filled with water samples and the mixer unit simply placed on top of it. The mixer locks into place, and the whole assembly can be lifted and moved about if desired. There is no need to manipulate individual paddles, and no shaft binding resulting from water being deposited in bearings as paddle shafts are lifted through them.

After selecting the required mixer speed on the control panel dial, the mixer is started, chemicals are added, and the coagulation / flocculation sequence is carried out in the normal way. At the end of the flocculation period, the paddles are stopped and the floc allowed to settle. The mixer unit can be lifted out of the sample jars for this phase (it unlocks instantly) or left in place.

After the desired settling periods, subsurface sampling may be carried out using the miniature stopcock-based sampling ports provided on each jar compartment.

The Minimix is constructed from the same high-quality materials used in our other systems - epoxy coated PVC and aluminum housings, stainless steel paddles and shafts, long-lasting nylon gears, lifetime-lubricated oil-impregnated bronze bearings, and clear acrylic jar assembly.


	12V DC power supply

The Minimix can be powered from any 12V DC supply, through a standard power jack on the rear of the unit. Normally, this power would be provided by the 12V DC plug-in wall transformer supplied with the system. This power supply is universal input, and can be used with any 90 to 264 volt AC, 47 to 63 Hz electrical power. It includes four interchangeable, snap-in input AC plugs, allowing it to be used in nearly every country in the world without the need for adapters of any kind.

Many other 12V DC power sources can also be used - including sealed gel-cells, nickel cadmium battery packs, vehicle cigarette lighter adapters, and others.


	Controls

Controls for the Minimix are about as simple as they could be - a power on/off switch, and a mixer speed adjustment control. Both of these are located on the right-side front panel of the mixer unit.

The mixer speed control is configured so that the scale is expanded towards the lower end of the speed range. This allows easier and more accurate adjustments at low speeds (20 to 100 rpm) where most jar testing work is carried out.

Speed adjustment accuracy using this direct-dial speed control is more than adequate for most jar testing applications.


	Carrying case


	The Minimix system is supplied in a rugged, lightweight molded plastic carrying case. The case can hold the mixer unit, jar assembly, and power supply with a useful amount of space left over. This space can be used for storage and transportation of other frequently used items such as chemical reagent bottles, dosing syringes, sample containers, or other equipment.

The carrying case is similar in size to an ordinary briefcase, about 17”x13”x5”.

With equipment, it weighs less than 8 lb (4 kg), including all Minimix components and typical accessories.

Downloads

Here is some additional downloadable information on the Minimix jar tester system. Left click to view the files; right click and select Save Target to save to disk. The files are in Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) format. To access the files, you will need Acrobat Reader; if you don’t have it, you can download it free.