Separation of chiral molecules in a simulated moving bed

• Main Author: Law, Kuan Jan.
• Other Authors: Mohammad Aman Ullah
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Chemical engineering::Biochemical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16972
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

A continuous countercurrent separation process known as the Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) system has been designed for chiral separation of Guaifenesin enantiomers. A design procedure based on the modeling of binary chromatography system is described. The design of the SMB process involves in designing the optimal operating conditions, i.e. four flow rates in the four sections and the cycle time guaranteeing satisfactory separation performances in terms of outlet product purity, productivity and solvent consumption. The selection of optimal operating conditions is performed using the shortcut design method: the Equilibrium Theory which is derived based on simplifications of the SMB model. The SMB process is described using mathematical model and solved numerically using high resolution schemes: orthogonal collocation on finite elements method due to the highly nonlinear nature of the model. Simulation runs under varying operating conditions, e.g., sectional flow rate ratios, have been performed and the results obtained are discussed in the light of the Equilibrium Theory for SMB operation. The results obtained are compared in terms of separation performance parameters such as product purity, productivity and solvent consumption. Despite slight differences between the simulation results and results predicted by the Equilibrium Theory due to idealization of the SMB model, the Equilibrium Theory still serves as a powerful and convenient method in the process design of SMB processes.