Generation 3 RDS from GEA Nu-Con helps processors guard against product contamination
GEA Nu-Con has recently announced the latest generation of its trusted Rotor Detection System (RDS) system for rotary valves bringing the technology right up to date and helping to protect ever expanding food processing plants from the crippling costs of product recalls resulting from plant contamination and the potential devastation of their brands. The new RDS system is just one of the products from GEA Nu-Con designed specifically for this purpose. The Generation 3 now features better networking to take full advantage of the new technology; speed output to calculate and display throughput in kg/hr (lbs/hr); and motion detection for early fault diagnosis.
As processing plants around the world get larger and brand confidence becomes of even greater importance to consumers worldwide, it is essential for food companies to ensure the security of their production. As has been clearly demonstrated in many high profile cases, the slightest doubt over product integrity can necessitate product recalls that are expensive and can severely damage trusted brands. In the worst scenarios, companies have seen market shares tumble virtually overnight, when product contamination is even suspected.
Contamination can come from a number of sources. Most common are micro-biological contamination caused by ineffective cleaning processes; the inclusion of foreign material in the supply chain; and metal contamination from the plant itself where the process components actually degrade into the product. It is this last source of contamination that RDS from GEA Nu-Con tackles.
For 30 years or more the rotary valve has been a trusted friend in all processing plants. It is a reliable gateway and method of transferring powders between process elements such as spray dryers and conveying systems. Although it is trusted technology, the rotary valve is also one of the relatively few moving parts in a powder processing facility and, owing to the fine tolerances involved, one of the areas where metal-to-metal contact can occur with the consequent risk of contaminating the product with metal fragments.
Five years ago, GEA Nu-Con became the only company to overcome the technical difficulties and perfect the process of RDS for rotary valves. RDS used electrical contacts to signal when metal meets metal in the rotor and alert the operators accordingly. Operators can then choose what action to take in accordance with agreed protocols: monitor for further occurrences, perform maintenance at the next scheduled opportunity, or stop the plant immediately for further investigation.
The latest development of RDS, Generation 3, was launched at the recent Pack Expo on 23 September in Las Vegas. This provides improved networking features compared with previous RDS models and both speed output and motion detection for additional product safety. Rotary valves with RDS are available in a wide range of throughputs and with various levels of hygiene. They are quickly becoming standard issue for the highest level food processing plants.
RDS is just one of the products from GEA Nu-Con designed to help plant operators guard against the perils of contamination. Others include: Nu-Con brand magnets for removing ferrous contamination; and vacuum samplers that take regular samples of product from the process for analysis without human intervention and the consequent risk of contamination.
These remedies and others have become a vital part of the world’s most modern food processing plants. With many plants putting through 100,000kg of powder a day, valued at around £2,000/tonne, the cost benefit to protect that production, with a relatively simple device, is obvious. Add to that the need to prevent damage to valuable brands, and the decision for most is clear.
Andrew Wade Marketing Manager GEA Avapac Ltd
GEA Process Engineering
Phone +64 7 850 9658
Fax +64 7 849 3494
Mobile +64 21 859 819
andrew.wade@gea.com
www.gea.com
