The Comber Nutsche unit consists of a dished vessel with a perforated plate. The entire vessel can be kept at desired temperature by using a jacket, jacketed bottom dish and stirrer (blade and shaft); through which heat transfer media can flow. The vessel can be made completely leak-proof for vacuum or pressure service, and designed for sterile operation and with full containment. 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. 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 re-slurrying the cake. After washing, the mother liquor can be re-filtered. The cake can then be discharged by lowering the agitator and rotating it in such a manner that it brings all the cake towards discharge port. Advantages of the system include: vacuum or pressure filtration, inert gas atmosphere can be maintained, very high solvent recovery, considerable savings in manpower, solvents are in closed systems so no toxic vapors are let off in the atmosphere, heat transfer surfaces can be provided to maintain filtration temperature, and the entire reactor batch can be emptied in one step. Units can be designed for complete sterility and with complete integrated containment systems to safely handle the most potent or toxic materials.