Fluidized Bed Equipment

Abstract

To secure operation of loosening a wire before operation start, in a fluidized bed apparatus using a wire for elevating a filter section.SOLUTION: A fluidized bed apparatus 1 includes: a fluidized bed container 2 that performs at least one processing of granulation, coating, and drying while floating and fluidizing a powder and granular material by gas; a filter part 8 for solid-gas separation that is arranged inside the fluidized bed container 2; a holding part (chuck part 12a, expansion seal part 9a) that holds the filter part 8 at a predetermined position inside the fluidized bed container 2; and a wire 14 that has one end connected to the filter part 8 and the other end arranged outside the fluidized bed container 2. The filter part 8 can move up and down in a state of being suspended and supported by one end of the wire 14 by the operation of the wire 14 while not being held by the holding part. A looseness detection device 17 is provided that can detect looseness of the wire 14 while the filter part 8 is held by the holding part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluidized bed apparatus for performing at least one of granulation, coating and drying of powder or granules in various fields such as pharmaceutical production, food production and agricultural chemical production. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, a fluidized bed apparatus performs functional processes such as granulation, coating, drying, etc., while floating and fluidizing powder and granular material in a fluidized bed vessel by gas (fluidizing gas) introduced from the bottom of the fluidized bed vessel to form a fluidized bed. This type of fluidized bed apparatus includes apparatuses that involve rolling, jetting, stirring, etc. of powder and granular material, and representative examples thereof include a rolling fluidized bed apparatus in which a rotor is disposed at the bottom of the fluidized bed vessel, and a Wurster type fluidized bed apparatus in which a draft tube is disposed inside the fluidized bed vessel.

[0003] In this type of fluidized bed device, a filter section having a filter member for separating gas from a solid-gas mixture containing powder and granular material is disposed in the fluidized bed vessel, and the gas is exhausted through the filter member of the filter section. Examples of filter members used in the filter section include woven fabric filters called bag filters (see Patent Document 1, for example), and cartridge-type filters in which breathable resin sheets or metal mesh (filtering material) are formed into a cylindrical shape and held by a retainer (see Patent Document 2, for example). In particular, the latter cartridge-type filters are suitable for collecting fine powders up to about 2 μm in size. The cartridge-type filters may be pleated to form a cylindrical shape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-240608 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-18297 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, a wire is connected to the filter section, and the filter section can be raised and lowered while suspended from the wire by the movement of the wire. With the filter section lowered, the filter member is washed, replaced, etc. Then, with the filter section raised and held in a predetermined position, the fluidized bed device is operated to carry out processes such as granulation, coating, and drying.

[0006] In this way, if the wire used to raise and lower the filter unit is in a taut state, it may be damaged due to stress being applied to the contact points with the pulley, for example, due to shaking motion during operation.

[0007] Therefore, after the filter section is held in place, the wire is usually loosened before the fluidized bed apparatus is operated. However, there are cases where the operator forgets to loosen the wire.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a fluidized bed apparatus that uses a wire to raise and lower a filter section, and to ensure that the wire can be loosened before starting operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The fluidized bed apparatus of the present invention, which was invented to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises a fluidized bed vessel in which powder or granular material is suspended and fluidized by a gas and at least one of granulation, coating, and drying is performed, a filter section for solid-gas separation arranged inside the fluidized bed vessel, a holding section which holds the filter section at a predetermined position inside the fluidized bed vessel, and a wire having one end connected to the filter section and the other end arranged outside the fluidized bed vessel, wherein the filter section can be raised and lowered while being suspended from one end of the wire by the operation of the wire when not held by the holding section, and the fluidized bed apparatus is characterized in that the filter section is arranged at a predetermined position inside the fluidized bed vessel by the operation of the wire, and a looseness detection device is provided which can detect looseness of the wire when the filter section is held by the holding section.

[0010] According to this configuration, the loosening detection device can detect loosening of the wire while the filter part is held at a predetermined position inside the fluidized bed vessel for the operation to perform the treatment. If the loosening detection device detects loosening of the wire before the start of operation of the fluidized bed apparatus, the work of loosening the wire has been performed. On the other hand, if the loosening detection device does not detect loosening of the wire before the start of operation of the fluidized bed apparatus, the work of loosening the wire has not been performed and the worker has forgotten to loosen the wire. In response to this, for example, the loosening detection device can inform the worker that the work of loosening the wire has not been performed by an informing means such as a lamp that the loosening detection device has not detected the loosening of the wire, or an interlock can be applied so that operation cannot be started when the loosening detection device has not detected the loosening of the wire, thereby making the worker aware that the work of loosening the wire has not been performed and making the worker loosen the wire. That is, according to the fluidized bed apparatus of the present invention, in a fluidized bed apparatus that uses a wire to raise and lower the filter part, the work of loosening the wire can be reliably performed before the start of operation.

[0011] In the above-mentioned configuration, the loosening detection device may have an interlock function of permitting start of the fluidized bed apparatus when the loosening detection device detects loosening of the wire.

[0012] With this configuration, the interlock function prevents the start of operation of the fluidized bed apparatus when the wire is not loosened, and allows the start of operation of the fluidized bed apparatus when the wire is loosened. Therefore, before starting operation of the fluidized bed apparatus, it is possible to more reliably make the operator aware that the wire has not been loosened, and to have the operator loosen the wire.

[0013] In the above configuration, the loosening detection device may have a movable part that contacts the wire and moves in response to the force received from the wire, and a sensor part that detects loosening of the wire by detecting the movement of the movable part when the force weakens.

[0014] With this configuration, the loosening detection device can be manufactured with a simple structure.

[0015] In the above configuration, the loosening detection device may have a biasing means for biasing the movable part toward the wire with a predetermined elastic force. In this configuration, the loosening detection device may have a shaft portion extending from the movable part and a cylindrical housing portion through which the shaft portion is inserted, the biasing means may be a spring member disposed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion and interposed between the movable part and the housing portion, and further, the loosening detection device may have a flange portion provided on an end of the shaft portion that approaches or moves away from an end of the housing portion in response to movement of the movable part, the sensor portion being a proximity sensor disposed on the flange portion, and the proximity sensor may detect loosening of the wire by detecting the approach of the flange portion to the end of the housing portion.

[0016] In the above configuration, the contact portion of the movable portion with the wire may be formed by a roller.

[0017] With this configuration, friction between the movable part and the wire can be reduced, and damage to the wire due to friction between the movable part and the wire can be suppressed. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, in a fluidized bed apparatus in which a wire is used for raising and lowering a filter section, the operation of loosening the wire before starting operation can be reliably performed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state during powder / granular processing of the fluidized bed apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a filter unit of the fluidized bed apparatus according to the present embodiment is lowered. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional front view of the slack detection device when the wire is tensioned. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional plan view of the loosening detector of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional bottom view of the loosening detector of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 4 is a schematic right side view of the loosening detection device of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic partial cross-sectional front view of a slack detection device when a wire is loosened. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state of a fluidized bed apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention during powder and granular material processing. As shown in the figure, this fluidized bed apparatus 1 is equipped with a vertically long hollow fluidized bed vessel 2. The inside of the fluidized bed vessel 2 is divided into an air supply chamber 3, a processing chamber 4 for granulating or coating powder and granular material M, and an exhaust chamber 5, in that order from the bottom.

[0022] The air supply chamber 3 and the processing chamber 4 are separated by a gas dispersion plate 6 made of a perforated plate (or wire mesh) such as punched metal. Gas such as hot air is supplied to the air supply chamber 3 from the air supply duct 3a (arrow A in the figure), and this gas is introduced into the processing chamber 4 through the gas dispersion plate 6 (arrow B in the figure).

[0023] A spray nozzle 7 for spraying a spray liquid (membrane agent liquid, binder liquid, etc.) is installed in the treatment chamber 4, and the powder / granular material M is suspended and fluidized by the gas supplied from the air supply chamber 3, while being granulated or coated. Note that the spray nozzle 7 is configured to be movable outside the elevation path of the filter unit 8 so as not to interfere with the elevation operation of the filter unit 8 when the filter unit 8 is elevated as described below.

[0024] The processing chamber 4 and the exhaust chamber 5 are connected to each other via a filter unit 8 for solid-gas separation. After the filter unit 8 separates gas from the solid-gas mixture containing the powder and granular material M in the processing chamber 4, the separated gas is introduced into the exhaust chamber 5 and is discharged to the outside of the fluidized bed vessel 2 through the exhaust duct 5a of the exhaust chamber 5 (arrow C in the figure). In this embodiment, the expansion seal unit 9a of the ring-shaped seal unit 9 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the fluidized bed vessel 2 is expanded to abut against the base unit 8a of the filter unit 8, thereby separating the processing chamber 4 and the exhaust chamber 5. The expansion of the expansion seal unit 9a holds the base unit 8a of the filter unit 8 in the position shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] The filter unit 8 includes a plurality of bag filters 10 attached to the base unit 8a, and a filter support unit 11 that detachably suspends and supports the plurality of bag filters 10. A shaking mechanism (e.g., a cylinder mechanism, etc.) 12 and a wire 14 operated by a wire operating means (e.g., a winch, etc.) 13 arranged outside the fluidized bed vessel 2 are connected to the filter support unit 11.

[0026] The shaking mechanism 12 vibrates the bag filter 10 up and down to shake off fine powder adhering to the bag filter 10 during operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1. The shaking mechanism 12 is attached to the fluidized bed vessel 2. The shaking mechanism 12 has a chuck portion 12a that can chuck the rod portion 11a of the filter support portion 11.

[0027] On the other hand, one end of the wire 14 is connected to the upper end of the rod portion 11a of the filter support portion 11. The wire 14 is drawn out to the outside of the fluidized bed vessel 2 via a plurality of pulleys 15a to 15d, and the other end is attached (connected) to a wire operating means 13 arranged outside the fluidized bed vessel 2.

[0028] The wire 14 is passed through the inside of a hollow pillar 16 outside the fluidized bed vessel 2. The lower end of the pillar 16 is fixed to a support stand (not shown) provided in the fluidized bed equipment 1. The pulley 15d is rotatably attached to the pillar 16. The wire operating means 13 is also attached to the pillar 16.

[0029] By operating the wire 14 by the wire operating means 13, the filter part 8 can be raised and lowered inside the fluidized bed vessel 2 when cleaning the bag filter 10 or when replacing the bag filter 10. As shown in FIG. 2, when the filter part 8 is lowered, the chuck part 12a of the shaking mechanism 12 releases the chuck of the rod part 11a of the filter support part 11, so that the filter part 8 is not held by the chuck part 12a. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, when the filter part 8 is raised and returned to its original position, the chuck part 12a chucks the rod part 11a, so that the chuck part 12a and the rod part 11a are connected again, and the filter part 8 is held by the chuck part 12a. When the filter part 8 is raised and lowered inside the fluidized bed vessel 2, the expansion seal part 9a of the seal part 9 is changed from an expanded state to a non-expanded state, so that the filter part 8 is not held by the expansion seal part 9a.

[0030] As can be seen from the above description, the filter unit 8 is held in the position shown in Fig. 1 by the chuck of the chuck portion 12a and the expansion of the expansion seal portion 9a. The position of the filter unit 8 shown in Fig. 1 is a predetermined position for operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 for granulating or coating powder M. In other words, the chuck portion 12a and the expansion seal portion 9a are holding portions that hold the filter unit 8 in a predetermined position (the position shown in Fig. 1) inside the fluidized bed vessel 2. Furthermore, when the filter unit 8 is not held by the chuck portion 12a and the expansion seal portion 9a, it can be raised and lowered by the operation of the wire 14 while being suspended and supported at one end of the wire 14.

[0031] The fluidized bed apparatus 1 is provided with a loosening detector 17 capable of detecting loosening of the wire 14 while the filter unit 8 is placed at a predetermined position (position in FIG. 1) inside the fluidized bed vessel 2 by the operation of the wire 14 and held by the chuck unit 12a and the expansion seal unit 9a. The loosening detector 17 is attached to the column unit 16.

[0032] Furthermore, the fluidized bed apparatus 1 has an interlock function that permits the start-up (start of operation) of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 when the loosening detector 17 detects loosening of the wire 14.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the loosening detector 17 includes a mounting plate 17a attached to the wall of the pillar 16, a housing portion 18, a movable portion 19, a sensor portion 20, and a spring member 21 as main components.

[0034] The housing portion 18 is cylindrical, with one axial end portion 18a disposed inside the column portion 16 and the other axial end portion 18b disposed outside the column portion 16. An attachment flange portion 18c attached to the attachment plate 17a is provided on the side of the one end portion 18a of the housing portion 18. In addition, a detection flange portion 18d detected by the sensor portion 20 is provided on the other end portion 18b of the housing portion 18.

[0035] A shaft portion 19a is extended from the movable portion 19 and slidably inserted into the housing portion 18. In this embodiment, in order to improve the slidability of the shaft portion 19a, the housing portion 18 has a bush portion 18e formed of a solid lubricant (e.g., PTFE) on its inner periphery.

[0036] The spring member 21 (e.g., a compression coil spring or the like) is disposed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 19a, and is interposed between the movable portion 19 and the housing portion 18. One end of the spring member 21 abuts against a large diameter portion (nut 19b in this embodiment) provided on the movable portion 19 via a washer 19c, and the other end of the spring member 21 abuts against one end portion 18a of the housing portion 18. The spring member 21 is a biasing means that biases the movable portion 19 toward the wire 14 with a predetermined elastic force.

[0037] A flange portion 19d is provided at the tip of the shaft portion 19a, which moves toward or away from the other end portion 18b of the housing portion 18 in response to the movement of the movable portion 19. The flange portion 19d prevents the shaft portion 19a from coming off the housing portion 18 due to the biasing force of the spring member 21.

[0038] A guide pin 18f extending along the axial direction of the housing part 18 is provided at a lower portion of the detection flange part 18d of the housing part 18. The guide pin 18f is inserted with a gap into a through hole 19e provided at a lower portion of the flange part 19d of the movable part 19. The guide pin 18f guides the axial movement of the flange part 19d via the through hole 19e. In addition, the circumferential rotation of the flange part 19d (movable part 19) relative to the housing part 18 is restricted.

[0039] In this embodiment, the sensor unit 20 is a proximity sensor disposed on the upper portion of the flange portion 19d, and the proximity sensor detects the approach of the flange portion 19d to the other end portion 18b of the housing portion 18 and the detectable flange portion 18d, thereby detecting loosening of the wire 14. In this embodiment, the proximity sensor is configured to emit a detection signal (detect the detection object) when it approaches the detection object within a predetermined distance (threshold value), and to stop emitting the detection signal (stop detecting the detection object) when it moves away from the detection object beyond the threshold value.

[0040] The movable part 19 also has a pair of support plate parts 19f provided on the wire 14 side, and a main roller 19g and an auxiliary roller 19h that are disposed between the support plate parts 19f and rotatably supported by the support plate parts 19f. The main roller 19g has a groove part 19i on its circumferential surface and is a contact part that comes into contact with the wire 14 that fits into the groove part 19i. The auxiliary roller 19h does not have a groove part on its circumferential surface and is disposed adjacent to the main roller 19g to prevent the wire 14 from coming out of the groove part 19i of the main roller 19g. The main roller 19g and the auxiliary roller 19h are disposed so that their rotation axes are perpendicular to the axis of the movable part 19 (shaft part 19a). The rotation axes of the main roller 19g and the auxiliary roller 19h are aligned in the horizontal direction.

[0041] On the wire 14 side of the mounting plate 17a, below the main roller 19g and the auxiliary roller 19h, a guide main roller 17b and a guide auxiliary roller 17c that guide the wire 14 are disposed. The guide main roller 17b and the guide auxiliary roller 17c are disposed between a pair of plate portions 17d provided on the mounting plate 17a and are rotatably supported by these plate portions 17d. The guide main roller 17b has a groove portion 17e on its circumferential surface. The guide auxiliary roller 17c has no groove on its circumferential surface and is disposed adjacent to the guide main roller 17b. The wire 14 is guided by the groove portion 17e of the guide main roller 17b and the circumferential surface of the guide auxiliary roller 17c.

[0042] In this embodiment, the guide main roller 17b has the same shape, size, and rotation axis direction as the main roller 19g, and the guide auxiliary roller 17c has the same shape, size, and rotation axis direction as the auxiliary roller 19h. The guide main roller 17b has the same position in the rotation axis direction as the main roller 19g, but the position in the axis direction of the movable part 19 (shaft part 19a) is different. The guide auxiliary roller 17c has the same position in the rotation axis direction as the auxiliary roller 19h, but the position in the axis direction of the movable part 19 (shaft part 19a) is different. In addition, the relative positional relationship between the guide main roller 17b and the guide auxiliary roller 17c is the same as the relative positional relationship between the main roller 19g and the auxiliary roller 19h.

[0043] The operation of the loosening detector 17 configured as above will now be described.

[0044] When the wire 14 goes from a loose state (the state in FIG. 7) to a taut state (the state in FIG. 3), the force that the movable part 19 receives from the wire 14 via the main roller 19g in contact with the wire 14 increases, and the movable part 19 moves to the outside side of the pillar part 16 against the elastic force (repulsive force) of the spring member 21. At this time, the proximity sensor of the sensor part 20 moves away from the other end part 18b of the housing part 18 and the flange part 18d to be detected, and no longer detects the other end part 18b of the housing part 18 and the flange part 18d to be detected.

[0045] That is, when the wire 14 is in a taut state as shown in Fig. 3, the proximity sensor of the sensor unit 20 is separated from the other end 18b of the housing unit 18 and the flange portion 18d to be detected, and therefore does not detect the other end 18b of the housing unit 18 and the flange portion 18d to be detected. That is, the slack detection device 17 (sensor unit 20) does not detect the slack of the wire 14. In the state shown in Fig. 3, the wire 14 is in strong contact with the groove portion 19i of the main roller 19g and the groove portion 17e of the guide main roller 17b.

[0046] When the wire 14 loosens from a taut state, as shown in FIG. 7, the force that the movable part 19 (main roller 19g) receives from the wire 14 weakens, and the movable part 19 (main roller 19g) moves toward the wire 14 due to the urging force of the elastic force of the spring member 21. At this time, the proximity sensor of the sensor part 20 approaches the other end part 18b of the housing part 18 and the flange part 18d to be detected, and detects the other end part 18b of the housing part 18 and the flange part 18d to be detected. In other words, the loosening detection device 17 (sensor part 20) detects the loosening of the wire 14. Then, as the wire 14 loosens further, the flange part 19d comes into contact with the other end part 18b of the housing part 18 and the flange part 18d to be detected.

[0047] In this way, the movable part 19 comes into contact with the wire 14 and moves in response to the force received from the wire 14. The slack detection device 17 (sensor unit 20) detects the movement of the movable part 19 when the force received from the wire 14 weakens, thereby detecting the slack of the wire 14.

[0048] In the operation of loosening the wire 14 in this embodiment, the wire 14 is further loosened even after the flange portion 19d abuts against the other end portion 18b of the housing portion 18 and the detection target flange portion 18d. Therefore, when the operation of loosening the wire 14 is completed, the wire 14 is in a state where substantially no force is applied to the main roller 19g of the loosening detection device 17 (the wire 14 is in a slightly slack state). However, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the wire 14 is in light contact with the groove portion 19i of the main roller 19g and the circumferential surface of the auxiliary guide roller 17c.

[0049] Next, the procedure up to the start of operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 will be described.

[0050] First, the filter unit 8 in the lowered state shown in Fig. 2 is raised by operating the wire 14 with the wire operating means 13. At this time, since the filter unit 8 is supported by being suspended from one end of the wire 14, the wire 14 is in a taut state.

[0051] 1, first, the filter unit 8 is held by the chuck of the chuck portion 12a, and then the filter unit 8 is held by the expansion of the expansion seal portion 9a. At this time, since the filter unit 8 has just been supported by being suspended from one end of the wire 14, the wire 14 remains taut. Therefore, the loosening detector 17 does not detect any loosening.

[0052] In this state, since the looseness detector 17 does not detect any looseness, the interlock function of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 does not permit the start of operation (for example, the operation start button cannot be pressed). In other words, the fluidized bed apparatus 1 is interlocked against the start of operation.

[0053] Next, the wire 14 is operated by the wire operating means 13 to loosen the wire 14. For example, if the wire operating means 13 is a manual winch, the winch is rotated a predetermined number of times to send out the wire 14. Then, since the filter portion 8 is held by the chuck portion 12a and the expansion seal portion 9a, the wire 14 loosens. Therefore, the loosening detection device 17 detects the loosening, and the interlock function of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 allows the start of operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 (for example, the operation start button can be pressed). In other words, the interlock for starting operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 is released.

[0054] Then, the operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 is started (for example, by pressing the operation start button).

[0055] If an operator forgets to loosen the wire 14 before starting operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1, the wire 14 remains taut and the loosening detection device 17 does not detect the loosening. Therefore, even if an operator tries to start operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1, the loosening detection device 17 does not detect the loosening, so an interlock is applied to the start of operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 and operation cannot be started. Therefore, the operator realizes that he has forgotten to loosen the wire 14 and loosens the wire 14. Then, the loosening detection device 17 detects the loosening, so the interlock to start operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 is released and the operator can start operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1.

[0056] Next, the operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 after it has started operating will be described.

[0057] First, when processing powder and granular material M in the fluidized bed vessel 2 of the fluidized bed device 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the powder and granular material M accommodated in the processing chamber 4 is suspended and fluidized by the gas introduced into the fluidized bed vessel 2 through the gas dispersion plate 6. A spray liquid (membrane agent liquid, binder liquid, etc.) is sprayed from the spray nozzle 7 onto the powder and granular material M to be suspended and fluidized. In this state, the powder and granular material M is wetted by the spray liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 7, for example, the mist of the membrane agent liquid, and at the same time, the solid components contained in the membrane agent liquid adhere to the surface of the powder and granular material M, which is dried and solidified, forming a coating layer on the surface of the powder and granular material M (coating). In addition, if the type of spray liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 7 is changed to, for example, a binder liquid, the powder and granular material M is wetted by the mist of the spray liquid, adheres and aggregates, is dried, and grows into particles of a predetermined diameter (granulation).

[0058] During such processing such as coating and granulation of the powder or granule M, the gas-solid mixture containing the powder or granule M rising in the processing chamber 4 is separated into solid and gas by the bag filter 10 of the filter unit 8, and the separated gas is introduced into the exhaust chamber 5 and is exhausted to the outside of the fluidized bed vessel 2 through the exhaust duct 5a. In addition, a shaking mechanism 12 is used as needed to brush off fine powder adhering to the bag filter 10.

[0059] In the fluidized bed apparatus 1 configured as above, the loosening detection device 17 can detect the loosening of the wire 14 while the filter part 8 is held at a predetermined position inside the fluidized bed vessel 2 for the operation of granulating or coating the powder or granular material M. If the loosening detection device 17 detects the loosening of the wire 14 before the start of the operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1, the operation of loosening the wire 14 has been performed. On the other hand, if the loosening detection device 17 does not detect the loosening of the wire 14 before the start of the operation of the fluidized bed apparatus 1, the operation of loosening the wire 14 has not been performed and the worker has forgotten to loosen the wire 14. However, by applying an interlock so that the operation cannot be started when the loosening detection device 17 has not detected the loosening of the wire 14, the worker is made aware that the operation of loosening the wire 14 has not been performed and can be made to loosen the wire 14. That is, according to the fluidized bed apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, in a fluidized bed apparatus using a wire to raise and lower the filter part, the operation of loosening the wire before the start of the operation can be reliably performed.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the fluidized bed apparatus 1 having the filter unit 8 using the bag filter 10 has been described, but the present invention may be any fluidized bed apparatus that uses a wire to raise and lower the filter unit, and may be, for example, a fluidized bed apparatus having a filter unit using a cartridge type filter.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the case where the powdered or granulated material M is coated or granulated in the fluidized bed vessel 2 of the fluidized bed apparatus 1 has been described, but the powdered or granulated material M may also be dried.

[0062] Furthermore, the lifting and lowering operation of the filter unit 8 by the wire 14 may be performed as a whole, or the filter unit 8 may be divided into a plurality of parts and each part may be lifted and lowered individually.

[0063] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned fluidized bed apparatus 1, but can be similarly applied to a composite type fluidized bed apparatus such as a tumbling fluidized bed apparatus or a Wurster type fluidized bed apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Fluidized bed equipment 2 Fluidized Bed Vessel 8 Filter section 9a Expansion seal part 10 Bag Filter 12a Chuck part 14 Wire 17 Loosening detection device 18 Housing section 18b Other end 19 Moving parts 19a Shaft 19d Flange part 19g Main roller (contact part) 20 Sensor section 21 Spring member M Powder

Claims

1. A fluidized bed apparatus comprising: a fluidized bed vessel for performing at least one of granulation, coating, and drying while suspending and fluidizing powder or granules with a gas; a filter section for solid-gas separation arranged inside the fluidized bed vessel; a holding section for holding the filter section at a predetermined position inside the fluidized bed vessel; and a wire having one end connected to the filter section and the other end arranged outside the fluidized bed vessel, wherein the filter section can be raised and lowered while suspended from one end of the wire by operation of the wire when not held by the holding section, A fluidized bed apparatus characterized in that the filter section is positioned at a predetermined position inside the fluidized bed vessel by the movement of the wire, and a loosening detection device is provided that can detect loosening of the wire while the filter section is held by the holding section.

2. 2. The fluidized bed apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interlock function for permitting start of the fluidized bed apparatus when the loosening detector detects loosening of the wire.

3. The fluidized bed apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the loosening detection device has a movable part that contacts the wire and moves in response to the force received from the wire, and a sensor part that detects loosening of the wire by detecting the movement of the movable part when the force weakens.

4. 4. The fluidized bed apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said slack detection device has a biasing means for biasing said movable portion toward said wire with a predetermined elastic force.

5. The loosening detection device has a shaft portion extending from the movable portion and a cylindrical housing portion through which the shaft portion is inserted, 5. The fluidized bed apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the biasing means is a spring member disposed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion and interposed between the movable portion and the housing portion.

6. the loosening detection device has a flange portion provided at an end of the shaft portion and adapted to move toward or away from an end of the housing portion in response to movement of the movable portion, The fluidized bed apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sensor portion is a proximity sensor arranged on the flange portion, and the proximity sensor detects loosening of the wire by detecting that the flange portion has come into close proximity with the end of the housing portion.

7. 7. The fluidized bed apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the contact portion of the movable part with the wire is formed by a roller.

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