Patent ID: 6533936
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: B01D,C07B,G01N

Abstract:
A method of separation of optical isomers using a simulated moving bed chromatographic apparatus which comprises:forming a circulation circuit comprising a plurality of columns each provided with an inlet port and an outlet port and packed with particles of polysaccharide derivatives, said columns being serially and endlessly connected so as to achieve serial and unidirectional fluid flow through said columns, wherein the particles of polysaccharide derivatives are not supported on a silica gel carrier; introducing an optical isomer mixture to be separated into one of the columns via the inlet port thereof in order to cause adsorbable or strongly adsorbable substances to become adsorbed on the particles of polysaccharide derivatives in the column and several columns that follow; drawing out a solution rich in the other substances being non-adsorbable or poorly adsorbable on the particles of polysaccharide derivatives via the outlet port of another one of the columns; introducing an eluent into still another one of the columns via the inlet port thereof; drawing out a solution rich in the adsorbable or strongly adsorbable substances via the outlet port of further another one of the columns; and passing the remaining solution and the eluent through the circuit and recirculating them, wherein the position for introducing the eluent, the position for drawing out the solution containing the adsorbable or strongly adsorbable substances, the position for introducing the optical isomer mixture and the position for drawing out the solution containing the non-adsorbable or weakly adsorbable substances are arranged in the circulation in this order along the direction of the fluid flow, and the positions are successively moved in the direction of the fluid flow in the circuit intermittently.