Design of the simulated moving bed process based on adsorption isotherm measurements using a perturbation method

The design of a simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography process for the enantioseparation of 1-phenoxy-2-propanol with Chiralcel OD as stationary phase is described using equilibrium theory and a dispersion model. The most essential prerequisite for reliable process simulation is the proper experimental determination of the corresponding adsorption isotherms. This paper evolved from the need to: (i) elaborate a technique for adsorption isotherm measurement based on a perturbation method; and (ii) to demonstrate the applicability of the equilibrium-dispersion model for quick process design. The accuracy of the obtained adsorption isotherms was evaluated by comparison with results that have been obtained independently using the classical adsorption-desorption procedure. As the main result, it turned out that the suggested SMB design concept based both on adsorption isotherms measured with the perturbation method and on the equilibrium-dispersion model could be verified experimentally. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.