SS304 / SS316L / Custom Configurations
Stainless Steel Mixing Tanks
Configure a stainless steel mixing tank around your product, working batch and cleaning requirements. ChannelVessel builds custom mixing vessels with project-specific product-contact materials, agitation, surface finishes, connections and heating or cooling options.
Start with a 300, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 or 5,000 L working-batch requirement, or specify another volume. The proposed configuration defines the gross capacity, drive selection and equipment included in your quotation.
- Material specified by component.
- Agitation selected for the duty.
- Supply scope clearly defined.
Share your product and required batch size. Include a drawing or existing specification when available.
Configuration Options
Choose the Configuration Your Process Needs
Start with what the tank must do, then select the construction and equipment. Discuss liquid blends, personal-care preparations, detergent formulations or other compatible process liquids together with their temperature, viscosity and cleaning requirements.
Single-Wall Mixing
For blending duties without an integrated heating or cooling jacket. Specify the charging arrangement, agitator, discharge connection and access needed between batches. Open-top and covered arrangements can be considered for the application.
Jacketed Mixing
For batches requiring controlled heating, cooling or temperature holding. Select the jacket around the thermal duty and available utilities, with insulation where required. Identify whether the order includes only the jacket or also the heating and circulation equipment.
Mixing with a Separate High-Shear Stage
For processes requiring dispersion or emulsification in addition to bulk circulation. A separately specified high-shear mixer can be combined with the vessel agitator where the formulation requires it. Its drive and controls are listed independently.
These are configuration starting points, not three fixed models. Material, top arrangement, finish, support structure and controls are selected together. Pressure or vacuum duty requires a separately defined design basis.
For the wider equipment range, explore our mixing tanks.
Capacity & Specifications
Specify Working Volume Before Tank Size
State how much product you need to process in each batch. The figures below are inquiry starting points, not stock-model ratings or a promise that one configuration suits every material.
Working-Batch Inquiry Sizes
| Requested working batch | Approximate US liquid gallons |
|---|---|
| 300 L | 79.3 |
| 500 L | 132.1 |
| 1,000 L | 264.2 |
| 2,000 L | 528.3 |
| 3,000 L | 792.5 |
| 5,000 L | 1,320.9 |
| Custom | Specify your required working volume |
Gallon values are rounded conversions, not separate model sizes. Specify US or Imperial gallons when submitting your requirement.
Understand the Volume Definitions
- Working volume
- The product volume to be processed under the agreed operating conditions.
- Gross volume
- The vessel's total internal capacity, stated separately from the working batch.
- Minimum batch
- The lowest process volume to be confirmed for the selected impeller arrangement and duty. Do not assume that it is a fixed percentage of gross capacity.
Configuration Details to Confirm
| Item | Configuration basis |
|---|---|
| Product-contact metal | SS304 or SS316L, specified by component |
| Vessel construction | Open or closed top; single-wall or jacketed; insulation where required |
| Agitation | Duty-specific impeller, motor, drive and shaft-speed range |
| High-shear processing | Separate option with its own drive specification |
| Surface finish | Defined by component, weld treatment and inspection scope |
| Thermal duty | Heating or cooling requirement and available utilities |
| Pressure and vacuum | Vessel and jacket design conditions specified separately |
| Controls | Variable-speed control; instrumentation or PLC/HMI as specified |
| Dimensions and connections | Confirmed on the project drawing and connection schedule |
A 1,000 L batch at an assumed density of 1.2 kg/L contains 1,200 kg of product. This is product mass only, not the equipment's rated load. Provide density as well as volume when discussing supports, weighing and handling.
Materials & Wetted Parts
Specify 304 or 316L for Every Product-Contact Part
A "316L tank" description is not a complete material specification. Identify the metal and sealing materials for every component that can contact the product, then list the jacket, cladding and supports separately.
When to Consider SS304
Consider SS304 when a review of the formulation, operating conditions and cleaning chemicals confirms that it is suitable. An industry label such as "food" or "chemical" is not enough to make that decision.
When to Consider SS316L
SS316L is a low-carbon, molybdenum-alloyed stainless steel used where increased corrosion resistance is required. It is not resistant to every chemical or chloride exposure. Product concentration, temperature, contact time and cleaning conditions still need review.
Define the Material Scope
| Component group | What to specify |
|---|---|
| Vessel shell and heads | Material grade and required material traceability |
| Agitator shaft and impellers | Wetted metal grade and any separate surface requirements |
| Nozzles, valves and sampling parts | Product-contact materials, including purchased components |
| Gaskets and shaft-seal components | Compatibility with the product, cleaning chemicals and temperatures |
| Jacket, outer cladding and supports | Non-product-contact materials, listed separately |
Send the formulation or relevant chemical information, including concentrations, chlorides where relevant, process temperatures and cleaning agents. Where traceability is required, define how material documents will be linked to the supplied components.
Surface Finish & Welds
Define the Surface Finish Beyond "Mirror Polished"
A polished appearance is not a measurable acceptance criterion. For a hygienic project, discuss a specified target such as Ra ≤ 0.8 μm for the agreed product-contact areas. This is a proposed specification target, not a statement of measured performance for every vessel.
Agree the finish limit, treatment and inspection scope before manufacture. More demanding requirements need a separate review.
Target for discussion only. The specified areas, weld-treatment scope and inspection method must be agreed for the project.
Specify Finish by Area
A roughness target is meaningful only when its measurement locations and component exclusions are clear. Include these areas in the purchase specification.
- Shell and heads
- Surface treatment, roughness limit and measurement locations
- Product-contact welds
- Dressing or polishing scope and the applicable acceptance limit
- Nozzles and outlet transitions
- Treatment of accessible internal surfaces and local junctions
- Purchased valves and fittings
- Component-specific finish and any exclusions
Do not assume that a roughness figure for the parent material also covers every weld, fitting or outlet. Specify these areas explicitly and agree how any inaccessible surfaces will be assessed.
Surface roughness is one part of the requirement. Drainability, joints, seals and the cleaning method also belong in the review.
Agitation & Shaft-Seal Selection
Match the Agitator and Seal to the Actual Duty
Choose the mixer around the flow and processing task, not motor power alone. Include how viscosity changes during charging, heating, mixing and discharge.
Liquid circulation and blending
Propeller or other suitable axial-flow impeller
Batch range, viscosity, density and required circulation
Wall movement in thicker products
Anchor or sweep arrangement; scrapers where needed
Product behaviour, heat-transfer duty and wall-contact requirements
Dispersion or emulsification
Separately specified rotor-stator high-shear mixer
Ingredients, addition sequence and the required processing result
Selection guidance. These are selection directions, not universal viscosity limits. A formulation that thickens during processing may need a different arrangement from a liquid of the same final batch volume.
Keep Bulk Agitation and High Shear Separate
Where both are fitted, list the motor power, shaft speed and controls for each drive. A homogenizer rating does not describe the speed or power of the vessel agitator.
Bulk agitation
Identify the impeller, drive, operating speed and batch duty.
High-shear processing
Specify its rotor-stator assembly, separate drive and intended result.
Shaft-Seal Selection
For shaft-seal selection, identify the product, temperature, pressure or vacuum conditions, cleaning method and contamination-control requirements. Confirm any auxiliary services needed by the proposed seal.
Viscosity Data for Selection
Provide viscosity with its measurement temperature and method when available. A number without its test conditions can leave an important gap in the selection.
Cleaning, Drainage & Maintenance
Plan How the Tank Will Be Cleaned, Emptied and Serviced
Cleaning and discharge requirements belong in the equipment specification, not only in the operating instructions written after delivery.
Cleaning Access and Coverage
For cleaning-in-place (CIP), identify the cleaning device, supply flow, inlet pressure and temperature. Review the location of shafts, blades, baffles and fittings that may obstruct the spray. Confirm the required conditions at the cleaning device rather than relying only on a pump model.
- Cleaning device
- Supply flow
- Inlet pressure
- Temperature
Discharge and Product Hold-Up
Review the bottom geometry, outlet position, valve and connected pipework together. State whether the product drains by gravity or requires pumping, and provide its discharge temperature and flow behaviour.
Where residual volume matters, agree a test material, drain procedure, elapsed time and measurement method. Avoid an undefined "zero residue" requirement.
Maintenance Access
Check how the lid, agitator, seal and cleaning device can be inspected or removed. Include the available overhead space and access around the outlet and support structure.
Define What Will Be Verified
Spray-coverage check
Evaluate the agreed spray coverage and inspection areas.
Residue-removal check
Assess removal under a defined cleaning procedure and inspection method.
Drainability test
Measure retained material under specified drain conditions.
A spray-coverage check, a residue-removal check and a drainability test answer different questions. Identify which checks are required and what result is acceptable before agreeing the inspection scope.
Connections, Utilities & Installation
Confirm Connections, Utilities and Installation Space
A tank specification should explain how the equipment fits into the production line. Send the site layout, available utilities and mating-connection details with the process brief.
Equipment Interface Checklist
Confirm Before Drawings Are ApprovedProduct Charging and Discharge
Connection standard, nominal size, position, valve scope and mating equipment
Heating and Cooling
Medium, supply conditions, target temperatures and required batch timing
Electrical Supply
Voltage, phase and frequency; control requirements and installation environment
Instrumentation
Required temperature, level, weighing or other measurements; control-system interfaces
Installation
Equipment envelope, access route, supports and maintenance clearances
Cleaning Supply and Return
Connection details, available flow and pressure, return arrangement and scope
Separate the Pressure Conditions
Vessel internal pressure, jacket pressure and cleaning-device supply pressure are separate entries. A closed lid is not evidence that a tank is suitable for vacuum or internal pressure. Any such duty must be included in the design review and confirmed in the equipment documentation.
Heating & Cooling Supply Scope
For temperature-controlled processes, state whether the project needs only a jacketed vessel or also the heater, chiller, circulation pump and associated controls. Review for the thermal configuration, and or where those duties apply.
Installation Envelope vs. Shipping Size
Use equipment dimensions for installation planning. Shipping-crate dimensions belong in the logistics information, not the floor-layout specification.
Inspection & Handover Documentation
Agree the Inspection and Document Package Before Manufacture
Make inspection part of the purchase specification. Identify the records required, the checks included and any stages that need customer review or witnessing.
Inspection & Documentation Matrix
Project-Specific Scope to Agree| Review Area | Scope to Agree |
|---|---|
| Materials | Component material list, required certificates and traceability method |
| Dimensions and Connections | Drawing revision, key measurements, interface checks and any agreed tolerances |
| Welds and Surfaces | Inspection scope, finish requirements, locations and acceptance method |
| Mechanical and Electrical Functions | Agitator operation, specified controls, instruments and agreed safety functions |
| Vessel and Jacket Integrity | Applicable examination or testing for the specified design conditions |
| Handover Documents | Agreed drawings, operating information and inspection records |
Make Performance Acceptance Specific
Where mixing performance is part of factory acceptance testing (FAT), agree the test material, batch volume, temperature, mixer settings, sampling plan, analysis method and acceptance criterion.
- Test material
- Batch volume
- Temperature
- Mixer settings
- Sampling plan
- Analysis method
- Acceptance criterion
Keep Test Evidence in Context
An unloaded run, a water trial and a production-material trial are different forms of evidence. Each report should identify what was tested and the conditions used; it should not imply results for an untested formulation.
Confirm Required Certification
Specify any required certification, independent inspection or documentation format before quotation. The applicable equipment scope and supporting documents must be confirmed for the project.
Supply Scope & Pricing
Compare Complete Supply Scope, Not Capacity Alone
Two quotations for the same nominal capacity may cover very different equipment. Start by identifying which supply package you need, then compare the detailed inclusions and exclusions.
Supply Package Comparison
Scope to Define- Vessel Only
- Tank, supports, connections and the agreed preparation for any separately supplied mixer
- Vessel with Agitation
- Vessel plus the specified mixer, drive, seal and the agreed control scope
- Integrated Mixing Package
- Defined combination of vessel, agitation, instruments, controls and selected auxiliary equipment
Scope matters: “Integrated” does not automatically include every pump, heater, chiller or site service. List each item rather than relying on the package name.
Check These Details Before Comparing Prices
Confirm the working-volume basis, product-contact material scope, weld and surface requirements, mixer configuration and inspection documents. List high-shear equipment, thermal equipment, controls, valves and transfer pumps as included, optional or excluded.
Commercial & Delivery Conditions
The quotation should also identify currency, validity, packaging, delivery basis and destination, freight and tax inclusions or exclusions, and the event that starts the stated lead time. Warranty terms, site work and commissioning support need their own scope.
Send an existing specification or quotation comparison sheet to discuss an equivalent equipment scope instead of comparing capacity labels alone.
Get a QuoteBuyer Questions
Stainless Steel Mixing Tank FAQs
Answers to the practical questions that affect vessel configuration, installation and quotation.
Configuration & Performance
Can I order the vessel without an agitator?
Yes. A vessel-only configuration can be discussed. For an existing or separately sourced mixer, provide its mounting details, loads, shaft and impeller dimensions, and operating requirements so the vessel interface can be reviewed.
Can one tank process several formulations?
Provide the product range, not only the easiest formulation. Compare material compatibility, batch sizes, changes in viscosity, required mixing results and changeover cleaning. A configuration suitable for one product should not be assumed suitable for all of them.
Can a large tank also run small batches?
The minimum batch must be assessed for the selected mixer arrangement and process. Include both your smallest and largest intended batches in the brief. A variable-speed drive alone does not establish the minimum usable volume.
What should I send when viscosity data is unavailable?
Start with the product description, available ingredient information, operating temperatures and an explanation of how it flows or changes during processing. Identify the unknown data clearly. Measurements or a material trial may be needed before the final mixer selection.
Project & Procurement
Can you work around an existing installation?
Send the available floor space, height restrictions, access route and connection locations. A drawing is preferable to dimensions taken only from photographs. State whether an existing mixer, pump or control system must be retained.
Does specifying 316L and a polished finish establish hygienic certification?
No. Material and finish requirements are not a substitute for project-specific certification. Identify the standard and evidence required, then confirm the certificate holder, equipment covered and applicable documentation before placing the order.
How much does a stainless steel mixing tank cost?
Price depends on the defined vessel and equipment scope, not volume alone. Request a quotation stating materials, agitation, finish, thermal equipment, controls, inspection documents and delivery conditions so competing offers can be compared on the same basis.
When does the quoted delivery period start?
Ask the quotation to identify its starting milestone, such as technical and drawing approval or another agreed order condition. Confirm which approvals, supplied components and inspection arrangements affect the schedule. Delivery timing is project-specific.
Technical Inquiry
Get a Stainless Steel Mixing Tank Quote Matched to Your Process
Tell us what you mix, how much you process and which equipment needs to connect to the tank. Start with your product, required working batch and destination; other technical details can be developed during review.
Include operating temperatures, cleaning requirements, any pressure or vacuum duty, available utilities and installation restrictions when known. An existing drawing, equipment specification or product data sheet is useful, but a complete engineering package is not required to start the discussion.
Request a configuration proposal covering the vessel, product-contact materials, agitation, equipment scope and the technical points that still need confirmation.
What to Share With Our Team
Start with these details. Add technical information or drawings if you already have them.
- Your ProductWhat liquid or formulation will be mixed?
- Working BatchHow many liters per production batch?
- DestinationWhere will the equipment be delivered?
Helpful If Available
- Operating temperatures
- Cleaning requirements
- Pressure or vacuum duty
- Available utilities
- Installation restrictions
- Drawings or specifications
A complete engineering package is not required to start.