Horizontal helix mixers are a type of industrial mixer designed for efficiently blending, mixing, or homogenizing powders, pastes, or slurries. These mixers typically use helical ribbons or blades to create a three-dimensional mixing action. Here are the common types of horizontal helix mixers:

1. Ribbon Blender
Description: Ribbon blenders are the most common type of horizontal helix mixer. They feature inner and outer helical ribbons mounted on a horizontal shaft. The ribbons rotate to move materials both radially and laterally, creating a thorough mixing action.

Use: Ideal for mixing powders, granules, and some pastes.

Advantages: Good for dry blends, high efficiency, gentle mixing for delicate products.

2. Paddle Mixer
Description: Paddle mixers have a similar design to ribbon blenders but use paddles instead of ribbons. The paddles are positioned on a horizontal shaft and move material with a lifting and folding action.

Use: Suitable for mixing heavier, more viscous materials or materials with a larger particle size.

Advantages: Excellent for heavier mixes, faster mixing times, easier to clean.

3. Double Helix Mixer (Double Ribbon Blender)
Description: This type of mixer has two sets of helical ribbons or blades. The outer helix moves the material in one direction, while the inner helix moves it in the opposite direction, ensuring fast and uniform mixing.

Use: Used for thorough blending of powders, granules, and viscous materials.

Advantages: Highly efficient for blending and mixing, works well for both light and heavy materials.

4. Conical Screw Mixer
Description: Also known as a Nauta mixer, this design features a rotating screw (helix) that moves along the conical walls of a vessel. While technically a vertical mixer, some designs incorporate horizontal helical mixing blades.

Use: Ideal for delicate or heat-sensitive materials, often used in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

Advantages: Gentle mixing, minimal heat generation, effective for small batches.

5. Trough Mixer
Description: Trough mixers have an open horizontal mixing chamber with helical blades or ribbons mounted on the central shaft. It is simpler and used in industries where open-top mixing is desirable.

Use: Used for blending powders, granules, and pastes, particularly in industries like food and pharmaceuticals.

Advantages: Easier to monitor the mix, simple design, suitable for continuous or batch mixing.

6. Continuous Helix Mixer
Description: These mixers operate continuously, using a helical screw or ribbon to move materials through a horizontal chamber. The material is continuously added to one end and discharged at the other.

Use: Suitable for large-scale production where continuous processing is required.

Advantages: High throughput, consistent mixing quality, suitable for large volumes.

These horizontal helix mixers vary in their designs, but they all aim to achieve efficient and homogeneous mixing of different materials. The choice of mixer depends on the type of material being processed and the desired mixing characteristics.