(630f) Comparison of Single-Column Chromatography and Simulated Moving Bed Process At Optimal Operating Points

In this work we compare performance of single-column chromatography (SCC) and Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) processes at their respective optimum operating conditions for separations that can be described by a linear isotherm. The performance indicators, namely productivity and desorbent requirement have been compared under geometric similarity for a separation of a mixture of guaifenesin enantiomers. The theoretical analysis has been carried out under equilibrium assumption (i.e., assuming infinite column efficiency) and compared with optimal prediction by ‘triangle theory’ which is valid for SMB under similar equilibrium condition. We report optimal Pareto fronts theoretically obtained for these processes. The results reveal the contribution of the significant decision variable(s). This theoretical analysis facilitates selection between single or multi-column chromatographic processes based on the bed properties and isotherm parameters.