Patent ID: 8049055

Claim:
A process for separation of a feedstock in a simulated moving bed (SMB) of a feedstock F in an SMB device having at least one column, wherein said column comprises a number of adsorbent beds separated by plates P i , each comprising a distribution/extraction system, a process in which the feedstock F and a desorbent D are supplied, and at least one extract E and at least one raffinate R are drawn off, whereby the supply and draw-off points are offset over time by a value that corresponds to an adsorbent bed with a switching period ST, and that determines a number of operating zones of the SMB, including the four following primary zones: A zone 1 for desorption of the compounds that are produced by extraction, between the supply of the desorbent D and the draw-off of the extract E, A zone 2 for desorption of the compounds that are produced with raffinate, between the draw-off of the extract E and the supply of the feedstock F, A zone 3 for the adsorption of the compounds that are produced by extraction, between the supply of the feedstock and the draw-off of the raffinate R, A zone 4, located between the draw-off of the raffinate R and the supply of the desorbent D, wherein the SMB device also comprises external bypass lines L i/i+1 directly joining two successive plates P i , P i+1 that allow flushing of said plates, in which each of the bypass lines L i/i+1 comprises non-automated means for adjusting the flushing flow rate, whereby flow rates on the different bypass lines have an over-synchronicity or an under-synchronicity based on the zone under consideration, and adjusting the flushing flow rate of the bypass lines so as to obtain the highest yield of desired product with fixed desorbent flow rate, feedstock flow rate, purity of the desired product and switching period, or the highest purity of the desired product, with fixed desorbent flow rate, feedstock flow rate, yield of desired product and switching period.