Patent ID: 6017448
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A simulated moving bed separation apparatus comprising a plurality of interconnected chromatographic columns or column sections (2, 4, 6), a fluid distributor plate (3) between each column section, at least two (10, 30) and at most four (10, 20, 30, 40) distinct circulation lines connected to the distributor plate (3), each circulation line being connected to a different line selected from two supply lines (100, 300) by which feed and desorbent enter and two extraction lines (200, 400) by which a fluid containing desired product and a fluid containing unwanted product or products leave; in which a first circulation line (10) is connected to two lines (100, 200) in which the desorbent and the fluid containing the desired product circulate respectively, a second circulation line (30) is connected to a feed supply line (300) and a third circulation line is connected to an extraction line for fluid containing the unwanted product (400); or in which a first circulation line is connected to two lines (300 and 400) in which the feed and the fluid containing the unwanted product or products respectively circulate, a second circulation line is connected to a desorbent supply line (100), and a third line is connected to a line for extracting fluid containing the desired product (200); or in which a circulation line (10) is connected to two lines in which the desorbent (100) and the fluid containing the desired product (200) respectively circulate, and the other circulation line (30) is connected to two lines in which the feed (300) and the fluid containing the unwanted product or products (400) circulate respectively, the apparatus being characterized in that the line (10) for circulating the fluid containing the desired product comprises a flushing line (250) for a secondary incoming fluid (desorbent, fluid containing the desired product or fluid containing the desired product depleted in desorbent) or for an outgoing fluid (250) (mixture of desorbent and fluid containing the desired product).