Improving performance of a tandem simulated moving bed process for sugar separation by making a difference in the adsorbents and the column lengths of the two subordinate simulated moving bed units

A tandem simulated moving bed (SMB) process for removal of sulfuric acid and acetic acid from sugars has been developed previously. This process consisted of two four-zone SMB units (Ring I and Ring II), in which the same adsorbent (Dowex99 resin) and the same column length were used. To improve the performance of such a tandem SMB process for sugar separation, it is worth adopting the strategy of making a difference between the column lengths of Ring I and Ring II. The results showed that such strategy could allow the adsorbent beds of both Ring I and Ring II to be fully utilized at the same time, which was impracticable in the previous tandem SMB mode. As a result, the tandem SMB based on such strategy could achieve higher productivity than the previous tandem SMB mode. In addition, the use of different adsorbents (Amberchrom-CG161C in Ring I and Dowex99 in Ring II) was proposed as the second strategy, which was confirmed to be highly effective in improving the productivity of the tandem SMB for sugar separation. Finally, a third strategy was proposed by combing the first and the second strategies. It was found that compared to the previous tandem SMB mode, the third strategy led to more than eleven times the productivity under the constraint of pressure drop ≤100 psi. This was mostly because the third strategy had a remarkable advantage over the previous tandem SMB mode in the aspects of bed utilization and selectivities, which stemmed from the use of different column lengths and the use of different adsorbents respectively.

► Strategy of improving the tandem SMB performance for sugar separation was proposed. ► It was to make a difference in the adsorbents and column lengths of the 2 sub-SMBs. ► The Amberchrom-CG161C and Dowex99 adsorbents were used in the 1st and 2nd sub-SMBs. ► The strategy was highly effective in improving the productivity of the tandem SMB. ► The strategy had a clear advantage in term of bed utilization and selectivities.