Scaling and intensification procedures for simulated moving-bed systems

Scaling rules and intensification procedures developed for single adsorption or chromatographic columns are extended for both linear and nonlinear isotherms to simulated moving‐bed (SMB) systems. The effects of particle diameter, column length, column diameter, switching time, flow rates, mass transfer, axial dispersion, and dead volume are studied in order to design a new SMB. Changes in the pressure drop, separation, and throughput can be changed as desired. Once an original design has been developed, the scaling procedure requires only algebraic manipulation. Simulations done by Aspen Chromatography showed that the new designs were remarkably good at producing the same product purities and pressure drops as the original design. Intensification is predicted when particle diameter is decreased. The limitations of the technique are that the number of columns per zone cannot be changed, the relative velocities in each zone are fixed, and for nonlinear systems the results apply only for the same feed concentration.