INTRODUCTION:
Broken Bag Detectors are also called Solids Flow Monitor - FM-10).

MOST EFFECTIVE & ADVANCED TECHNIQUE FOR
A) DETECTION OF A BROKEN BAG in Fluid Bed Drier (FBD) / Processor (FBP) / Rotary Vacuum Dryer (RVD), resulting in saving of product losses.

B) DETECTION OF A BROKEN BAG in Filter Bag House, resulting in efficient pollution and emission monitoring / saving of product losses / prevention of contamination of production line / preventing damage to downstream equipment.

In all Process Industries where Filter Bags are used, frequent problems are encountered due to BROKEN OR TORN FILTER BAGS. Some of the problems are :

	Product losses due to broken / torn filter bags;
	Emission of solids at levels higher than that permitted by pollution control / environment / health and safety standards;
	Damage to downstream equipment like Fans / Blowers / Pumps etc.;
	Contamination of production line;
	Increased production / process down-time;
	Inefficient operations of E.S.P.s, Filter Bag Houses etc.

The principal on which our Broken Bag (or Sieve) Detector works is as follows
When the drug / product is being dried in the FBD / RVD, product losses often occur due to ruptured filter bags. Significant product losses can occur by the time the filter bag rupture is detected & the FBD / RVD is stopped. The Broken Bag Detector is used along with the FBD / RVD for preventing product losses due to ruptured filter bags (or broken sieves) by immediately sensing the leakage and stopping the motor of the FBD / RVD.

It has been observed that the filter bags are replaced every 2-3 months to avoid leakages. BBD can serve as an early warning system indicating possible failure of bag in the near future by detecting higher emission levels enabling the bag to be replaced in time. This is possible by using an analog output (optional feature) which would be proportional to the mass flow of solids / particulates. This analog signal can be connected to an indicator or recorder in the control room or to the PLC of the FBD (as shown in Figure 1 & 2).

FIGURE 1 - TYPICAL ACTIVITY OF BROKEN BAG DETECTOR	FIGURE 2 - TYPICAL INSTALLATION OF BROKEN BAG DETECTOR

Maintenance costs are reduced since the downstream equipment such as blowers, fans etc., are protected from spilling powder. Labour required for cleaning operations after bag ruptures is also saved. Above all, bag ruptures may lead to batch losses, forward sections of the plant remaining idle, production targets not being met, penalty clauses / order cancellation and lowering of corporate image which could be avoided by installing the Broken Bag Detector.

The Broken Bag Detector is highly sensitive and reliable. It consists of a Sensor with shielded cable and an Electronic Control Unit. The Sensor is a 316 stainless steel rod with Teflon Insulator. The Sensor is installed in the duct of the FBD as shown in Figure 3.

When the leakage of the product takes place through the ruptured filter bags (or broken sieves), the product strikes the Sensor. This results in the generation of an analog electric signal directly proportional to the mass flow of the colliding solid particles. This signal is then conditioned, amplified & processed through sophisticated electronic circuitry and then used to give an alarm and finally to stop the motor of the FBD / RVD thereby preventing product losses.

FIGURE 3 - FBD WITH BROKEN BAG DETECTOR

The Broken Bag Detector is not only used in the Pharma industry, but is also used wherever an FBD with Filter Bags is used – Chemical, Fertilizer & other such industries. The FM-10 is also used for other applications like monitoring the flow of materials from hoppers / silos / bins / any type of vessel to the downstream equipment & giving an alarm in the event of failure / stoppage of the flows.

The FM-10 has several inherent advantages

	The only device based upon direct measurement of quantity of solids / particulates.
	Price wise it is the most economical device.
	It has no moving parts & thus, it is very versatile, robust & maintenance free.
	It helps prevent costly drug losses and also saves time & labour required for cleaning operations which are required after any bag rupture.
	With a meager investment, the device can enable you to prevent production loss, down time & penalties arising out of atmospheric contamination.