Abstract
The Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) concept has been applied to the separation of different mixtures as a continuous counter current separation process, avoiding several problems related with solid motion. The aim of this work is to present some relevant examples of SMB separations corresponding to the two major ages in the use of the SMB concept, here named “old” and “new” applications. The “old” applications of SMB technology in the petrochemical industry are still important, with large and highly productive units; and the “new” applications of the second “age” of SMB concept are from the fine chemical, pharmaceutical and biochemistry areas, associated with the demand of high purity products during the last 10 years.
Different examples are presented for different ages: a UOP Parex ® process for the “old”, modelled with the equivalent True Moving Bed (TMB) approach; and a chiral resolution for the “new”, modelled by the real SMB model. Some of the latest developments are also mentioned: the non conventional techniques as the Varicol ® process, PowerFeed, Modicon, M3C or Enriched Extract-SMB (EE-SMB), MultiFeed (MF), Outlet Streams Swing (OSS) or Pseudo-SMB, involving considerable changes in the SMB concept itself. The use of the last optimization/modelling packages for the development of design techniques, either at the conception stage as well as for performance improvements of existing units is emphasized.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abel, S., G. Erdem, M. Mazzotti, M. Morari, and M. Morbidelli, “Optimizing Control of Simulated Moving beds-Linear isotherm,” J. Chromatogr. A, 1033, 229–239 (2004).
Abunasser, N., Y.-S. Kim, Y.M. Koo, and P.C. Wankat, “One-Column Chromatograph with Recycle Analogous to a Four-zone Simulated Moving Bed,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 42, 5268–5279 (2003).
Adam, P.R., M. Nicoud, and M. Bailly, O. Ludemann-Hombourger, U.S. Patent No 6,136,198, 2000.
Amanullah, M. and M. Mazzotti, “Optimization of a Hybrid Chromatography-Crystallization process for the Separation of Tröger’s Base Enantiomers,” J. Chromatography A, 1107, 36–45 (2006).
Amanullah, M., S. Abel, and M. Mazzotti, “Symposium on preparative and Industrial Chromatography and Allied Techniques,” Aachen, Germany, 2004.
Araújo, J.M.M., R.C.R. Rodrigues, and J.P.B. Mota, “Use of Single-Column Models for Efficient Computation of the Periodic State of a Simulated Moving Bed Process,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 45, 5314–5325 (2006).
Azevedo, D.C. and A.E. Rodrigues, “Design of a Simulated Moving bed in the Presence of Mass-transfer Resistances,” AIChE J., 45(5), 956–966 (1999).
Bailly, M., R.M. Nicoud, A. Philippe, and O. Ludemann-Hombourger, “Method and Device for Chromatography Comprising a Concentration Step,” US patent No. WO2004039468, 2004.
Abdelmoumen, S., L. Muhr, M. Bailly, and O. Ludemann-Hombourger, “The M3C Process: A New Multicolumn Chromatographic Process Integrating a Concentration Step. I-The Equilibrium Model,” Sep. Sci. Tech., 41(12), 2639–2663 (2006).
Balannec, B. and G. Hotier, “From Batch Elution to Simulated Countercurrent Chromatography,” G. Ganetsos, and P.E. Barker (Eds.), in Preparative and Production Scale Chromatography, pp. 301–357, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1993
Blehaut, J. and R.-M. Nicoud, Analusis Mag., 26, M60 (1998).
Borges da Silva, E.A. and A.E. Rodrigues, “Methodology for the Design of Chromatographic Multicomponent Separation by a Pseudo-Simulated Moving Bed,” AIChE J., 52(11), 3794–3812 (2006).
Broughton, D.B. and C.G. Gerhold, “Continuous Sorption Process Employing Fixed Bed of Sorbent and Moving Inlets and outlets,” U.S. Patent No 2,985,589, 1961.
Chiang, A.S.T., “Equilibrium Theory for Simulated Moving Bed Adsorption Processes,” AIChE J., 44(11), 2431–2441 (1998).
Danckwerts, P.V., “Continuous Flow Systems; Distribution of Residence Times,” Chem. Eng. Sci., 2, 2 (1953).
DeVault, D., “The Theory of Chromatography,” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 65, 532 (1943).
Erdem, G., S. Abel, M. Morari, M. Mazzotti, and M. Morbidelli, “Automatic Control Of Simulated Moving Beds II: nonlinear isotherm,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 43, 3895–3907 (2004b).
Erdem, G., S. Abel, M. Morari, M. Mazzotti, M. Morbidelli, and J.H. Lee, “Automatic Control of Simulated Moving Beds,” Industry Engineering Chemical Research, 43, 405–421 (2004a).
Glueckauf, E., “Theory of Chromatography part 10: Formula for Diffusion into Spheres and Their Application to Chromatography,” Trans. Faraday Soc., 51, 1540–1551 (1955).
Hashimoto, K., S. Adachi, Y. Shirai, and M. Morishita, “Operation and Design of Simulated Moving Bed Adsorbers” in G. Ganetsos, and P.E. Barker, Preparative and Production Scale Chromatography, (Eds.) pp. 273–300, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1993.
Helfferich, F. and G. Klein, Multicomponent Chromatography, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1970.
Helfferich, F.G., “Multicomponent Ion Exchange in Fixed Beds: Generalized Equilibrium Theory for Systems with Constant Separation Factors,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundamentals, 6(3), 362–364 (1967).
Hur, J.S. and P.C. Wankat, “New design of Simulated Moving bed (SMB) for ternary separations,” Industry Engineering Chemical Research, 44, 1906–1913 (2005).
Hur, J.S. and P.C. Wankat, “Two-Zone SMB/Chromatography for Center-Cut Separation from ternary Mixtures: Linear isotherm Systems,” Industry Engineering Chemical Research, 45, 1426–1433 (2006).
Kasat, R.B. and S.K Gupta, “Multiobjective Optimization of an Industrial Fluidized Bed Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) Using Genetic Algorithm (GA) with the Jumping Genes Operator,” Comput. Chem. Eng., 27, 1785–1800 (2003).
Kaspereit, M., K. Gedicke, V. Zahn, A.W. Mahoney, and A. Seidel-Morgenstern, “Shortcut Method for Evaluation and Design of a Hybrid Process for Enantioseparations,” J Chromatography A, 1092, 43–54 (2005).
Kawase, M., T.B. Suzuki, K. Inoue, K. Yoshimoto, and K. Hashimoto, “Increased Esterification Conversion by Application of the Simulated Moving Bed Reactor,” Chemical Engineering Science, 51, 2971–2976 (1996).
Kearney, M. and K.L. Hieb, U.S. Patent No 5,100,553 (1992)
Kim, J.K. and P.C. Wankat, “Designs of Simulated-Moving-Bed Cascades for Quaternary Separations,” Industry Engineering Chemical Research, 43, 1071–1080 (2004).
Kim, J.K., N. Abunasser, and P.C. Wankat, “Use of Two feeds in Simulated Moving Beds for Binary Separation,” Korean J. Chem. Eng., 22(4), 619–627 (2005).
Kim, J.K., Y. Zang, and P.C. Wankat, “Single-Cascade Simulated Moving Bed Systems for the Separation of Ternary Mixtures,” Industry Engineering Chemical Research, 42, 4849–4860 (2003).
Klatt, H.-U., F. Hanish, G. Dünnebier, and S. Engell, “Model-Based Optimization and Control of Chromatographic Processes,” Comput. Chem. Eng., 24, 1119–1126 (2000).
Klein, G., D. Tondeur, and T. Vermeulen, “Multicomponent Ion Exchange in Fixed Beds: General Proprieties of Equilibrium Systems,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundamentals, 6(3), 339–351 (1967).
Kloppenburg, E. and E.D. Gilles, “Automatic Control of the Simulated Moving bed Process for C8 Aromatic Separation using Asymptotically Exact input/output Linearization,” J. Process Control, 9, 41–50 (1999).
Kruglov, V., “Methanol Synthesis in a Simulated Counter-current Moving Bed Adsorptive Catalytic Reactor,” Chemical Engineering Science, 49, 4699–4716 (1994).
Kurup, A.S., Subramani, H.J., Hidajat, K., and Ray, A.K., “Optimal Design and Operation of SMB Bioreactor for Sucrose Inversion,” Chemical Engineering Journal, 108, 19–33 (2005).
Kurup, A.S., K. Hidajat, and A.K. Ray, “Comparative Study of Modified Simulated Moving bed Systems at Optimal Conditions for the Separation of Ternary mixtures Under Nonideal Conditions,” Industry Engineering Chemical Research, 45(11), 3902–3915 (2006).
Langmuir, I., “The velocity of Reactions in Gases moving Through Heated Vessels and the Effect of Convection and Diffusion,” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 30, 1742–1754 (1908).
Lim, B.G., C.B. Ching, R.B.H. Tan, and S.-C. Ng, “Recovery of (−)-Praziquantel from Racemic Mixtures by Continuous Chromatography and Crystallisation,” Chem. Eng. Sci., 50, 2289–2298 (1995).
Lode, F., M. Houmard, C. Migliorini, M. Mazzotti, and M. Morbidelli, “Continous Reactive Chromatography,” Chemical Engineering Science, 56, 269–291 (2001).
Lorenz, H., P. Sheehan, and A. Seidel-Morgenstern, “Coupling of Simulated Moving Bed Chromatography and Fractional Crystallisation for Efficient Enantioseparation,” J. Chromatography A, 908, 201–214 (2001).
Ludemman-Hombouger, O., R. Nicoud, and M. Bailly, “The “Varicol” Process: a New Multicolumn Continuous Chromatographic Process,” Sep. Sci. Tech., 35(12), 1829–1862 (2000).
Ma, Z. and N.-H.L. Wang, “Standing Wave analysis of SMB Chromatography: Linear Systems,” AIChE Journal, 43, 2488–2508 (1997).
Mazzotti, M., G. Storti, and M. Morbidelli, “Optimal Operation of Simulated Moving Bed Units for NonLinear Chromatographic Separations,” J. Chromatography A, 769, 3–24 (1997).
Migliorini, C., M. Mazzotti, and M. Morbidelli, “Design of Simulated Moving Bed Multicomponent Separations: Langmuir Systems,” Sep. and Pur. Tech., 20, 79–96 (2000).
Minceva, M., “Separation/Isomerisation of Xylenes by Simulated Moving Bed Technology,” Ph. D. Thesis, Universidade do Porto, Portugal (2004a).
Minceva, M., and A.E. Rodrigues, “Adsorption of Xylenes on Faujasite-type Zeolite: Equilibrium and Kinetics in Batch Adsorber,” Chem. Eng. Research Design, 82, 667–681 (2004b).
Minceva, M. and A.E. Rodrigues, “Influence of the Transfer Line Dead Volume on the Performance of an Industrial Scale Simulated Moving Bed for p-Xylene Separation,” Sep. Sci. Tech., 38(7), 1463–1497 (2003).
Minceva, M. and A.E. Rodrigues, “Modeling and simulation of a Simulated Moving bed for the Separation of p-Xylene,” Industry Engineering Chemical Research, 41, 3454–3461 (2002).
Minceva, M. and A.E. Rodrigues, “Two-Level Optimization of an Existing SMB for p-xylene Separation,” Comput. Chem. Eng., 29, 2215–2228 (2005).
Morari, M. and J. Lee, “Model Predictive Control: Past, Present and Future,” Computer and Chemical Engineering, 23(4–5), 667–682 (1999).
Morbidelli, M. and M. Mazzotti, “Advances in Simulated Moving bed Chromatography,” in “PREP, 15th International Symposium, Exhibit Workshops on Preparative/Process Chromatography Ion Exchange, Adsorption/Desorption Processes & related Separation Techniques,” Lecture 201 Washington DC, USA, (2002) pp. 53–54.
Natarajan, S. and J.H. Lee, “Repetitive Model Predictive Control applied to a Simulated moving bed Chromatography Systems,” Computer and Chemical Engineering, 24, 1127–1133 (2000).
Neves, S.B., “Modelling of Adsorption Fixed–Bed in Liquid-Solid Systems,” M.SC. Thesis, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil, 1995.
Nicolaos, A., L. Muhr, P. Gotteland, R.M. Nicoud, and M. Bailly, “Application of Equilibrium Theory to Ternary Moving bed Configurations (four+four, five+four, eight and nine zones): I. Linear case,” J. Chromatography A, 908(1–2), 71–86 (2001a).
Nicolaos, A., L. Muhr, P. Gotteland, R.M. Nicoud, and M. Bailly, “Application of the Equilibrium Theory to Ternary Moving bed Configurations (4+4, 5+4, 8 and 9 zones): II. Langmuir case,” J. Chromatography A, 908(1–2), 87–109 (2001b).
Nicoud, R.M., “The Separation of Optical Isomers By Simulated Moving Bed Chromatography,” Pharm. Tech Europe, 11(3), 36 (1999a).
Nicoud, R.M., “The Separation of Optical Isomers by Simulated Moving Bed Chromatography,” Pharm. Tech Europe, 11(4), 28 (1999b).
Pais, L.S. and A.E. Rodrigues, “Design of Simulated Moving Bed and Varicol Processes for Preparative separations with a Low Number of Columns,” J. Chromatogr. A, 1006, 33–44 (2003).
Paredes, G., H.-K. Rhee, and M. Mazzotti, “Design of Simulated-Moving-Bed Chromatography with Enriched Extract Operation (EE-SMB): Langmuir Isotherms,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 45(18), 6289–6301 (2006).
Pavone, D. and G. Hotier, “System Approach Modelling Applied to the Eluxyl Process,” Revue IFP, 55, 437 (2000).
Rhee, H.-K., R. Aris, and N.R. Amundson, “On the Theory of Multicomponent Chromatography,” Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London A, 296, 419 (1970).
Rodrigues, A.E. and L.S. Pais, “Design of SMB Chiral Separations Units Using Concept of Separation Volume,” Sep. Sci. and Tech., 39, 245–270 (2004).
Sá Gomes P., C.P. Leão, and A.E. Rodrigues, “Simulation of True Moving Bed Adsorptive Reactor: Detailed Particle Model and Linear Driving Force Approximations,” Accepted in Chem. Eng. Sci. (2006).
Sá Gomes P., M. Minceva, L.S. Pais, and A.E. Rodrigues, “Advances in SMB chromatographic separations,” Chiral Separation Techniques, in G. Subramanian (Ed.), Wiley–VCH, 2006.
Sá Gomes, P. and A.E. Rodrigues, “Outlet Streams Swing (OSS) and MultiFeed (MF) Operation of Simulated Moving Beds,” Accepted in Sep. Sci. and Tech. (2006).
Santacesaria, E., M. Morbidelli, P. Danise, M. Mercenari, and S. Carra, “Separation of xylenes on Y zeolite. Part1. Determination of the Adsorption Equilibrium Parameters, Selectivities and Mass Transfer Coefficients Through Finite Batch Experiments,” Ind. and Eng. Chem. Proc. Des. Dev., 21, 440–446 (1982).
Schramm, H., S. Gruner, A. Kienle, and E.D. Gilles, in “ Proceedings of European Control Conference 2001,” pp. 2528–2533, Porto, Portugal, (2001).
Schramm, H., M. Kaspereit, A. Kienle, and A. Seidel-Morgenstern, “Improving Simulated Moving Bed Processes by Cyclic modulation of the Feed Concentration,” Chem. Eng. Tech., 25(12), 1151–1155 (2002).
Schramm, H., M. Kaspereit, A. Kienle, and A. Seidel-Morgenstern, “Simulated Moving Bed Process with a Cyclic Modulation of the Feed Concentration,” J. Chromatography A, 1006, 77–86 (2003).
Sherman, J.D., “Ion Exchange Separations With Molecular Sieve Zeolites,” in Zeolites: Science and Technology F. Ribeiro, A Rodrigues, L Rollmann, and C. Naccache (Eds.) pp. 583–622, Martinus Nijhoff Pub., The Hague, 1984.
Silva, V.M.T.M. and A.E. Rodrigues, “Novel process for Diethylacetal Synthesis,” AIChE. J, 51, 2752 (2005).
Silva, V.M.T.M. and A.E. Rodrigues, 2004 and 2005. “Processo Industrial de Produção de Acetais num Reactor Adsorptivo de Leito Móvel Simulado,” Patents PT103123 2004, and “Industrial Process For Acetals Production in a Simulated Moving Bed Reactor“ WO/2005/113476.
Storti, G., M. Masi, S. Carrá, and M. Morbidelli, “Optimal Design of Multicomponent Counter-current Adsorption Separation Processes Involving NonLinear Equilibria,” Chem. Eng. Sci., 44, 1329–1345 (1989).
Storti, G., M. Mazzotti, M. Morbidelli, and S. Carrá, “Robust Design of Binary Counter-Current Adsorption Separation Processes,” AIChE J., 39, 471–492 (1993).
Strube, J., G. Ströhlein, and M. Shulte, “Symposium on preparative and Industrial Chromatography and Allied Techniques,” Aachen, Germany, 2004.
Tondeur, T. and G. Klein, “Constant-Separation-Factor Equilibrium,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundamentals, 6(3), 351–361 (1967).
Wang, C., K.U. Klatt, G. Dünnebier, and F. Hanisch, “Neural Network-Based identification of SMB Chromatographic Processes,” Control Eng. Pract., 11(8), 949–970 (2003).
Wankat, P.C., “Simulated Moving Bed Cascades for Ternary Separations,” Industry Engineering Chemical Research, 40, 6185–6193 (2001).
Zhang, Z., M. Mazzotti, and M. Morbidelli, “PowerFeed Operation of Simulated Moving bed Units: Changing the Flow-rates During the Switching Interval,” J. Chromatography A, 1006(1–2), 87–99 (2003).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sá Gomes, P., Minceva, M. & Rodrigues, A.E. Simulated moving bed technology: old and new. Adsorption 12, 375–392 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-006-0566-9
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-006-0566-9