Supercritical fluid simulated moving bed chromatography

Continuous chromatographic separation processes have gained increasing industrial importance for fine chemical and pharmaceutical applications. These are based on the simulated moving bed (SMB) technology, of which the implementation using a supercritical eluent (SF-SMB) is dealt with in this work. Criteria for the choice of the operating conditions of SF-SMBs to achieve optimal separation performance are derived. Through these a thorough analysis of the two operating modes of these units, isocratic and pressure gradient mode, is made. The theoretical findings are supported by comparison with experimental data previously published in the literature. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.