Aeration suppressor for high-shear mixer

A method for mixing a liquid composition, the method comprising:

• (a) positioning a mixer into the liquid composition, wherein the mixer comprises a shaft, an agitator, and a sleeve, wherein the agitator is coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft and the agitator are configured to rotate together, wherein the sleeve is positioned around the shaft forming a gap between the shaft and the sleeve, where the sleeve is positioned in the liquid composition such that the liquid composition fills the gap up to the surface of the liquid composition in the gap to form a liquid seal between the shaft and the sleeve;
• and
• (b) mixing the liquid composition, wherein foaming of the liquid composition is reduced due to the liquid seal that minimizes an amount of air that penetrates into the liquid composition outside the gap during rotation of the shaft and the agitator.

A method for mixing a liquid composition, the method comprising:

• (a) positioning a mixer into the liquid composition, wherein the mixer comprises a shaft, a sleeve around the shaft, an agitator, and a shield around the sleeve, wherein the sleeve and the shaft are coupled together or the sleeve incorporates the shaft into a single-piece sleeve/shaft, wherein the agitator is configured to rotate with the shaft coupled to the sleeve or the single-piece sleeve/shaft, wherein there is a gap between the shield and the sleeve coupled to the shaft or the single-piece sleeve/shaft, wherein the mixer is positioned such that the liquid composition fills the gap up to the surface of the liquid composition in the gap to form a liquid seal between the shield and the sleeve coupled to the shaft or the single-piece sleeve/shaft;
• and
• (b) mixing the liquid composition, wherein foaming of the liquid composition is reduced due to the liquid seal that minimizes an amount of air that penetrates into the liquid composition outside the gap during the mixing.