Agitated Nutsche Filter Dryers (ANFDs)

An Agitated Nutsche Filter Dryer (ANFD) is a highly versatile and compact filtration-drying system used primarily in the pharmaceutical, chemical, agrochemical, and food industries for separating solids from liquids and drying the filtered cake in a single, enclosed, and dust-free environment.

At Harsha Engineers India, our ANFDs are designed to comply with GMP and cGMP standards, ensuring high product purity, efficient operation, and ease of cleaning. The unit consists of a cylindrical, pressure-rated vessel with a perforated filter plate, agitating assembly, and jacketed walls for controlled temperature application. The filtration, washing, re-slurrying, and drying processes take place sequentially in one sealed system—minimizing product handling and exposure.

The agitator shaft with multi-purpose blades performs multiple tasks: it smoothens the cake surface, assists in washing by mixing fresh solvent with the cake, and facilitates uniform drying by breaking lumps and enhancing heat transfer. The integrated vacuum and heating systems accelerate drying while preventing oxidation and degradation of sensitive products.

An Agitated Nutsche Filter Dryer (ANFD) is a versatile, closed-system equipment used for solid–liquid separation and drying in a single unit. It is widely used in industries handling toxic, hazardous, or high-value products, where safety, product purity, and solvent recovery are critical. At Harsha Engineers, we manufacture robust and GMP-compliant ANFDs in MS, SS 304, SS 316, Hastelloy, and other special alloys, designed to meet the stringent requirements of pharmaceutical, chemical, and agrochemical industries.

The filtration and drying processes of the ANFD are integrated into two distinct stages:

Stage of Filtration

The filter dryer vessel receives the slurry.
The solid and liquid are separated by a perforated plate containing filter media.
The solids remain in the vessel while the filtrate (mother liquor) is collected after passing through the filter medium.

Drying Stage

An agitator is installed in the jacketed vessel to stir the solid cake.
Through the agitator, base, and vessel walls, heat is transferred.
Effective solvent recovery and drying are made possible thanks to the system’s operation under pressure or vacuum.
The agitator also assists in mixing, squeezing, and discharging the dried cake.

Product handling is kept to a minimum, safety is high, and processing is free of contamination thanks to this integrated operation.

Made of MS, SS 304, SS 316, Hastelloy, or other specialized materials.
Safe, closed system that is ideal for handling sterile or toxic products.
Design with a jacket for heating and cooling.
Mixing, smoothing, and drying are all performed by a powerful agitator with variable speed.
Hydraulic lifting and lowering options for ease of operation.
Crafted in accordance with ASME, cGMP, and international standards.
Integration of the solvent recovery system is possible.
Available in a variety of sizes and capacities to meet the needs of customers.

A lot of places use ANFDs:

Separation and drying of APIs, bulk drugs, and intermediates for the pharmaceutical industry.
Processing of dyes, pigments, resins, and specialty chemicals is the Chemical Industry.
Producing fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are all examples of agrochemicals.
Food & Beverages – filtration and drying of starches, proteins, and other food ingredients.
Applications in the environment include the recovery of valuable by-products and the treatment of effluents.

Two-in-One Operation: a single apparatus for filtration and drying.
Safe and Clean Processing: Contamination is prevented by a closed system.
High efficacy—consistent drying and effective solvent recovery
A gentle handling agitator ensures uniform cake drying and prevents product damage.
Reduced Product Handling: Reduces risk and loss by minimizing transfer.
Available in various capacities and materials to meet the requirements of the process, customizable.

Conclusion

In industries where product purity, safety, and solvent recovery are crucial, Agitated Nutsche Filter Dryers from Harsha Engineers offer a comprehensive solution for solid–liquid separation and drying. Our ANFDs are an essential option for the pharmaceutical, chemical, and related industries due to their high performance, reliability, and safety due to their robust construction, advanced design, and compliance with global standards.