Patent ID: 8168845
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: B01D,C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for separating a first compound from a mixture comprising a first compound and at least one other compound in an SMB system, said process comprising the steps of: a. providing a first feedstream, having a first concentration of said first compound and a first concentration of a second compound, to a first distributive valve, said first distributive valve fluidly connected to a second distributive valve, and to a plurality of chambers comprising an adsorptive material selective for the adsorption of said first compound or said second compound; b. providing a second feedstream having a second concentration of said first compound, different from said first concentration of said first compound, and a second concentration of a second compound, to said second distributive valve, fluidly connect to said first distributive valve, and to at least one of said chambers comprising an adsorptive material; c. introducing said first feedstream into said at least one of said plurality of chambers comprising said adsorptive material and selectively adsorbing said first or said second compound on said adsorptive material to provide a modified adsorptive material and a modified first feedstream having a third concentration of said first compound, different from said first concentration of said first compound, and a third concentration of said second compound, different from said first concentration of said first compound, withdrawing said modified first feedstream from said at least one chamber, and passing said modified first feedstream to said first distributive valve, said second distributive valve, or a combination thereof; d. introducing said second feedstream into said at least one of said plurality of chambers comprising said adsorptive material, and selectively adsorbing said first or said second compound on said adsorptive material to provide a modified adsorptive material and a modified second feedstream having a fourth concentration of said first compound, different from said second concentration of said first compound, and a fourth concentration of said second compound, different from said second concentration of said first compound, wherein said fourth concentration of said first compound and said fourth concentration of said second compound are, independently, the same or different from said third concentration of said first compound and said third concentration of said second compound, respectively, withdrawing said modified second feedstream from said at least one chamber in this step (d), and passing said modified second feedstream to said first distributive valve, said second distributive valve, or a combination thereof; e. recovering said modified first feedstream and said modified second feedstream; f. providing at least one flush comprising a desorbent material to said first distributive valve, said second distributive valve, or a combination thereof; g. contacting said modified adsorbent material from steps (c) and (d), simultaneously or step-wise, with said flush, whereby said first or said second compound is at least partially desorbed, to provide a modified flush; and h. passing said modified flush to said first distributive valve, said second distributive valve, or a combination thereof.