ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the operation and design of simulated moving-bed adsorbers. High-performance liquid chromatography or simulated moving-bed adsorbers have been developed for industrial use. Some novel rotary valves have been developed for changing each inlet and outlet point of the liquid in simulated moving-bed adsorbers. A moving-bed system allows continuous chromatographic separation of components. Commonly, batch wise Chromatographic separation operations involve alternate injection of a sample mixture and a desorbent solvent to the bed of a resin of adsorbent particles. Gas and liquid chromatographic separation techniques are widely used for analyses and purifications in the laboratory. Chromatographic separation methods involve lower energy than for other separation methods, such as distillation. Simulated moving-bed adsorbers coincide with fixed-bed adsorbers except at the moment of rotating the column. A simulated moving-bed adsorber has been used for the first time in industry by Universal Oil Products Company, called the Sorbex system.
