AGITATED NUTSCHE

FILTER
Manju R, Mukesh B, Naveen Sinoy, Vignesh E and Yahya K M
III Semester, Department of Chemical Engineering, BMS College of Engineering
Bengaluru-560019, India

INTRODUCTION
Agitated Nutsche filter (ANF) is a filtration technique used in applications
such as dye, paint and pharmaceutical production and wastewater treatment.

Different manufacturers use different heating technology, ANFDs should have a

heating jacket on the walls as standard, on the top dome if necessary and heated
agitator shaft and blade options for direct contact with the cake if required. One
method of drying is through direct under-plate heating systems that are located in

An agitated nutsche filter

dryer (ANFD) is one class of
such filter dryers that has
been specifically designed so
all these operations can take
place within one vessel.

the filter plate at the bottom of the vessel.

AGITATOR

Safety requirements and environmental concerns due to solvent evaporation

led to the development of this type of filter wherein filtration
under vacuum or pressure can be carried out in closed vessels and solids
can be discharged straightaway into a drier.
Agitated Nutsche filters are used widely in the production processes of
pharmaceutical, chemical and laboratory industries, among others.
They are manufactured as agitated Nutsche filter dryers (ANFD'S) for the
filtration and drying in the same unit of active pharmaceutical
ingredients (API) and chemical compounds.

CONSTRUCTION

A multipurpose agitator is the unique feature of this system. The agitator

performs a number of operations through movement in axes both parallel and
perpendicular to the shaft.
Important points
Slurry contents can be kept fluidized until most of the mother liquor is filtered
through.
When filtration is complete, the cake develops cracks causing upsets in the
vacuum operation. This hinders removal of mother liquor. The agitator can be
used to maintain a uniform cake.
The cake can be washed after filtration by reslurrying the cake.
After washing, the mother liquor can be refiltered. The cake can then be
discharged by lowering the agitator and rotating it in such a manner that it brings
all the cake towards the discharge port.

The basic principle of operation is Vacuum or pressure filtration

In modern designs, in addition
to just vacuum or pressure
filtration, cake drying is also
introduced within the nutsche
in modern equipments.

A typical unit consists of a

dished
vessel
with
a
perforated plate. The entire
vessel can be kept at the
desired temperature by using
a limpet jacket, jacketed
bottom dish and stirrer (blade
and shaft) through which
heat transfer media can flow.
The vessel can be made
Figure: Representing modern nutsche filter

completely leak-proof for

vacuum or pressure service.

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
Agitated Nutsche filters can be fabricated in materials like Hastelloy C-276,
C-22, stainless steel, mild steel, and mild steel with rubber lining as per service
requirements. Recently, agitated Nutsche filters have been fabricated out
of polypropylene fibre-reinforced plastic (PPFRP).

ADVANTAGES
Vacuum or pressure filtration possible.
Inert gas atmosphere can be maintained.
Minimal contamination of the cake.
Very high solvent recovery.
Considerable saving in manpower.
Solvents are in closed systems, so no toxic vapors are let off in the
atmosphere.
Closed environment can be maintained.

Personal safety is maintained and heat transfer surfaces can be provided to

maintain filtration temperature.
Uniform bed can be maintained throughout the filtration.

COMMERCIAL USES
Agitated Nutsche filters are used widely in the production processes of
pharmaceutical, chemical and laboratory industries, among others.
They are manufactured as agitated Nutsche filter dryers (ANFD'S) for the
filtration and drying in the same unit of active pharmaceutical
ingredients (API) and chemical compounds.

Figure: Representing nutsche filter(MOC- Hastelloy C-276)

Figure: Representing Nutsche

filter (MOC-PPFRP)

R
E
F
E
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E

N
C
E
S
1) Bennett,
Bill;
Cole,
Graham
(2002).
Pharmaceutical

Production: An Engineering
Guide.
Institution
of
Chemical
Engineers (IChemE). p. 89. ISBN 0-85295-440-9. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
2) Cheremisinoff, Nicholas P. (2001). Handbook of Water and
Wastewater
Treatment Technologies. Butterworth-Heinemann. p. 199. ISBN 0-7506-74989. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
3) Sparkler Filters, Inc.,http://www.google.com/patents/US5139667 2012.
4) Michelle Frisch, Powder Systems Ltd, http://www.powdersystems.com/pilotand-plant-production.html, 2012.