ABSTRACT
Researchers realized the benefits of developing large-scale chromatographic processes operating continuously and employing the countercurrent contact between a fluid or gas and an appropriate chromatographic packing. Two main schools of thought developed: the moving-bed and moving-column systems. This chapter focuses on the development and application of the latter systems, with particular emphasis on their application to the separation of carbohydrate mixtures and the continuous fractionation of macromolecules. The moving-column system, however, could be particularly promising in analytical applications with further mechanical development of the system. The simulated moving-column chromatographic systems have been found to overcome the foregoing problems and offer better promise in large-scale continuous applications. Although the moving-tube bundle systems described previously were successful in gas and liquid separations, their weaknesses are associated with the difficulties in manufacturing and maintaining uniformly flat metal surfaces and thus preventing any leakages.
