| Liquid blending | Water-like liquids, solvents, low-viscosity oils and solutions | Approximately 1–1,000 mPa·s | Propeller or turbine mixer | Low to medium shear | 50–10,000 L | Uniform circulation, controlled vortex, low air entrainment and compatible wetted parts | Motor power, impeller diameter, shaft speed, tank geometry, seal type and speed control |
| Powder incorporation into liquid | Powders, pigments, thickeners or salts added to water or oil phases | Approximately 1–20,000 mPa·s after incorporation | High-speed disperser or powder induction mixer | Medium to high shear | 20–5,000 L | Fast wetting, prevention of floating powder, lump reduction and dust control | Powder feed method, rotor–stator clearance, dust extraction, cleaning access and explosion-risk assessment |
| Emulsification | Immiscible liquid phases such as oil and water | Approximately 10–100,000 mPa·s | Rotor–stator emulsifier or inline high-shear mixer | High shear | 10–3,000 L per batch | Controlled droplet-size distribution, temperature management and reduced air entrainment | Rotor speed, recirculation rate, vacuum capability, seal design and validation of final particle or droplet size |
| High-viscosity blending | Creams, gels, pastes, adhesives and concentrated slurries | Approximately 10,000–1,000,000 mPa·s | Anchor, gate or helical-ribbon agitator | Low to medium shear with high torque | 50–10,000 L | Wall sweeping, adequate bottom clearance, high starting torque and optional scraper blades | Torque at start-up, gearbox service factor, heating or cooling jacket, shaft rigidity and discharge method |
| Powder blending | Dry powders, granules, pellets and free-flowing solids | Not normally expressed as liquid viscosity | Ribbon, paddle, ploughshare or conical screw mixer | Low to medium shear | 100–20,000 L | Particle-size distribution, bulk density, moisture sensitivity, segregation tendency and fill level | Explosion protection where combustible dust may be present, discharge residue, filter area and access for cleaning |
| Solid–liquid suspension | Mineral slurries, ceramic suspensions, coatings and abrasive mixtures | Approximately 10–50,000 mPa·s | Axial-flow turbine, hydrofoil or high-torque agitator | Low to medium shear | 100–20,000 L | Maintain solids uniformly, prevent settling and withstand abrasion from particles | Solids loading, particle density, wear-resistant materials, bottom geometry and required suspension speed |
| Vacuum mixing and deaeration | Air-sensitive creams, sealants, electronics compounds and viscous pastes | Approximately 10,000–10,000,000 mPa·s | Planetary vacuum mixer or vacuum-capable high-viscosity mixer | Medium shear with high torque | 1–5,000 L | Air removal, sealed vessel, controlled temperature and reliable discharge under vacuum or pressure | Vacuum level, leakage rate, vessel pressure rating, seal construction, torque monitoring and cleaning procedure |
| Temperature-controlled mixing | Materials whose viscosity, reaction rate or stability changes with temperature | Depends on formulation and operating temperature | Jacketed mixer with suitable agitator | Selected according to product sensitivity | 50–10,000 L | Required heating or cooling rate, maximum product temperature and uniform heat transfer | Jacket area, heat-transfer medium, insulation, temperature sensors, control accuracy and thermal expansion allowance |