Next vacuum drum filter generation for enhanced food safety

Vacuum drum filters are the state-of-the-art option for many processes in the food industry. Rotary vacuum drum filters are easy to operate due to the continuous process. A big filtration area is easily realized despite the moderate footprint, while the low maintenance requirements, high overall efficiency and long lifespan make this a technology that has proven its value for decades. However, these filters are conventionally used in semi-automatic or even manual operations and so changes in the process behavior often cause the final product quality to fluctuate. The design of future vacuum drum filters will need to accommodate more stringent standards in food regulations and address the fact that continuous quality monitoring and ease of operation are becoming priorities for modern food processing lines.

In the past, vacuum drum filters frequently failed to meet the highest regulatory demands for food production. The design of the filters meant there were several critical aspects when installing this technology in food applications, for example dead zones and corners leading to the accumulation of particles with the risk of biological growth. The filters often had an open design, allowing contamination of the final product from falling particles. Regular, manual cleaning was essential and mandatory. 

International technology group ANDRITZ decided to develop a new vacuum drum filter generation that fulfils the highest standards in food and pharmaceutical applications. The target was to eliminate the known risks or reduce them to a minimum. The main components are identical to conventional drum filters. The filter cake is formed in the cake formation zone, followed by an optional washing zone. After the cake is dewatered, it is discharged by means of a scraper.
Together with a new filter design ANDRITZ decided to apply Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 technologies to address these issues and create a genuinely smart set of solutions. The brand-new Nutrion filter combines the latest filter design with digital solutions.

The ANDRITZ Nutrion filter with Metris addIQ control system recognizes any changes and imbalances within the process and helps to optimize accordingly, all fully automated. Full automation also means the most stringent food standards can be met, every single time.