Gums and starches define texture and stability. They often take time to prepare. With the right inline dispersers, you can accelerate hydration dramatically. In many processes we see batch time cut in half with higher end quality. No extra additives. No extra handling. This keeps the line moving and delivers more batches per day.
The challenge: powders that dust and clump
Hydrocolloids such as xanthan gum, guar, CMC, pectin, alginate and various starches are challenging. They dust easily. They float on the surface. They form lumps that stick to vessel wall and agitator. Once entrapped, particles dissolve slowly. Mixing time increases, energy use goes up and sieving is sometimes required. The main loss is poor wetting. Particles agglomerate as soon as they see moisture.
The solution: induce powder inline and disperse
With the right inline setup, liquid is drawn in while powders are induced under high vacuum. Powder and liquid meet in an intense zone. Particles are wetted completely and immediately.
The result is wetting at particle level. Lumps do not get a chance. Viscosity builds as intended. You work in a closed loop with recirculation. A stable, high-quality dispersion is achieved in very short time.
What this delivers
- Hydration time for gums, starches and similar ingredients halves in many recipes
- Lower dosage is possible thanks to better particle deagglomeration and full functionality
- Less rework; a clean process without dust and without air entrainment
How the process works
The Rmixx inline powder dissolving systems draw powders from bag, funnel, hopper, big bag or silo. The induction rate is self-regulating; if powder flow is reduced by friction or bridging in the powder, the vacuum rises and breaks the mass loose again. No separate vacuum pump is needed. The system doses directly into the final batch; high-concentration premixes are often unnecessary.
After induction, the powder feed is closed and we often recirculate briefly. Remaining micro-agglomerates then disappear. The machine is CIP-capable, built according to EHEDG guidelines and can be cleaned in place without disassembly. It operates independent of tank fill level. High viscosities are no problem.
Want to know what this approach can do for you? Explore our machine range.
Application examples
- Yogurt or drinking dairy with modified starch: complete wetting gives a smooth mouthfeel and a stable final product. You can shorten recirculation time and avoid filtration.
- Sauces and dressings: xanthan gum, guar gum or CMC without lump formation. The plate heat exchanger remains free of fouling. The line needs fewer cleaning stops.
- Jam and gel with pectin: dosing stays tight and you reach the target gel strength faster.
Quality and cost in balance
Inline powder induction shortens this critical process step. Hydration of gums and starch goes faster and more completely. As a result, you can often achieve the same texture and stability with fewer additives. There is less batch-to-batch variation. Energy is saved because mixing and heating times are shorter. The line stays clean because there is less dusting and no crusting on tank walls.
New to inline powder induction? Read our article on the benefits of inline powder induction.
What does halving hydration time deliver
The gain is in lead time and predictability. Less waiting makes scheduling tight. Customer orders go out faster. Operators have less manual work and less cleaning. Machines deliver more uptime. Quality becomes more consistent by avoiding air entrainment and lumps. Raw material savings are also possible through better functionality release. Costs go down without compromising texture or taste.
Implementation
We usually start with a recipe and viscosity profile. Together we determine the right direction based on your requirements, review layout options and ergonomics. Then we can prepare a proposal or plan a test right away. This makes the impact on hydration time, dosage and taste clear immediately.
The machine can be integrated into existing setups. Control can be stand-alone or via central control. CIP and validation in food or pharma are familiar territory. RS Contracting supplies, installs and supports processes until the line runs as desired.
Ready for the next step
Do you want to halve the hydration time of gums and starch while bringing stability to your process? Contact RS Contracting via +31 524 522 722 or email [email protected]. Prefer a form? Use the contact page on our website. We are happy to help and can quickly schedule a first meeting or test.
