Dynamic simulation of a simulated-moving-bed chromatographic reactor for the inversion of sucrose

The combination of a chemical or biochemical reaction and a chromatographic separation process in a single unit-operation allows higher yields and a better separation performance not only for reversible decomposition reactions but also for irreversible reactions. A continuous Simulated-Moving-Bed (SMB) chromatographic reactor for the irreversible enzymatic inversion of sucrose is presented. In addition, a simulation based strategy for the design and optimization of chromatographic reactors is explained. Dynamic simulation studies using a rigorous model of the SMB process, illustrate the advantages of the continuous chromatographic reactor in comparison to conventional chromatographic processes for the inversion of sucrose. Reaching at least the same product purity as comparable conventional processes, the new reactor allows not only the reduction of capital costs but also a reduced desorbent rate and a higher productivity in terms of the converted amount of sucrose.