A high speed disperser uses a toothed disc on a vertical shaft, spun at high tip speed, to wet pigment and filler and break up agglomerates in liquid paint. It is the main machine in a paint plant for emulsion paint, primer and enamel pre-mix. Here you will find the working principle, the sizing rules and what to specify.
The paint disperser machine is often called a cowles disperser or HSD for paint. The names mean the same machine.
We help you choose the machine that fits your product, batch size and plant, with specification, commissioning guidance and operator training. For high speed disperser, the machine selection advice comes from IPCS (Indian Paints Consulting Service), based on your product, viscosity and batch size.
High Speed Disperser overview
The disc turns fast enough to pull the batch into a deep vortex. Powder is added into the vortex and is wetted and sheared at the disc edge. Dispersion tip speed is generally in the range of 4,800 to 5,200 feet a minute, about 24 to 26 metres a second. Tip speed equals blade diameter multiplied by 3.1416 and by the shaft rpm.
This is the high speed disperser working principle in short: a high-speed disc, a vortex that keeps the batch moving and a shear zone at the blade edge. Slow speed first to form the vortex, then faster as viscosity rises.
Order of work in the vessel
- Start with the liquid and no dry product, with the blade on centre at low speed
- Add dry ingredients no faster than the liquid absorbs them
- Add other liquids, raising speed to keep the vortex
- Scrape the vessel wall and shaft once all ingredients are in
- Run at high speed for about 20 minutes, moving the disperser up and down, then check fineness of grind
A high speed disperser for emulsion paint is used to disperse pigment and filler in water with dispersant. The binder is added at lower speed afterwards.
Paint production applications for High Speed Disperser
The machine is used wherever pigment and filler must be wetted and broken up in a liquid.
pigment and filler dispersion before let-down
For very thick products such as putty paste, a high speed disperser is not enough. See the twin shaft disperser or sigma mixer for those.
Technical specifications to review for High Speed Disperser
Use these rules as a starting point and confirm with the supplier for your product.
| Parameter | What to specify | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Blade diameter | Disc size | About one third of the vessel diameter |
| Tip speed | Speed and drive range | About 4,800 to 5,200 ft/min, or 24 to 26 m/s |
| Blade height | Setting in the vessel | About half a blade diameter off the bottom; about one and a half blade diameters under the surface |
| Motor power | kW for the heaviest batch | A common rule is 1 HP for every 10 US gallons. A 1,000 litre batch is about 264 gallons, or about 26 HP (19.7 kW) |
| Viscosity | Highest viscosity expected | Works well from about 1,000 to 25,000 cP, up to about 50,000 cP maximum |
| Lifting | Hydraulic or manual | A hydraulic lift makes blade movement easy |
| Contact parts | SS 304 or SS 316 | Match the metal to your products |
Capacity and configuration choices for High Speed Disperser
Capacity is set by the batch size and the dispersion time. A typical dispersion run is about 20 minutes after all ingredients are in. Longer runs rarely help and raise the batch temperature, which can drive off volatiles. A cooling jacket helps where heat is a problem.
Choose a size
- Pilot size for trials and new products
- Production size matched to your daily batch
- Two or more vessels to a single drive on a mobile frame to raise output
- Hydraulic lift and trolley vessels when many colours are made
Installation & support for High Speed Disperser
Routine care
- Check the disc for wear, because a worn disc lowers shear
- Inspect the shaft seal and the bearing housing for leaks and heat
- Keep the vortex area clear of dried paint
- Check the frequency drive and the motor current in routine rounds
- Log the running hours and dispersion times by batch
What we confirm before we quote
We confirm products and the thickest batch, net batch size, solvent or water-based duty and whether a mill follows the disperser before we quote. Foundation, utility and commissioning guidance follows the confirmed size, and operators are trained on your own product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the high speed disperser working principle?
A toothed disc turns at high tip speed in a vessel, forming a vortex. Powder added into the vortex is wetted and sheared at the disc edge so lumps are broken up.
How do I do the high speed disperser motor power calculation?
A common rule is 1 HP for every 10 US gallons of product. Convert your net batch to gallons, divide by 10 and add margin for thick pastes.
What is a cowles disperser?
It is the name for the high-speed toothed-disc disperser. Cowles disperser and HSD for paint mean the same machine.
Is a high speed disperser suitable for emulsion paint?
Yes. A high speed disperser for emulsion paint is used to disperse pigment and filler in water, then the binder is added at lower speed.
What tip speed should I use?
Dispersion tip speed is generally about 4,800 to 5,200 feet a minute (24 to 26 metres a second). Check your supplier's chart for your blade diameter.
How long should dispersion take?
About 20 minutes at high speed after all ingredients are added, followed by a fineness of grind check. Running much longer rarely helps.
Discuss High Speed Disperser requirements with the machine team
Send us your product list, batch size and country for a high speed disperser quotation. Please include: products and the thickest batch, net batch size, solvent or water-based duty and whether a mill follows the disperser.