Simulated Moving Bed Separation with Bypass Fluid Lines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Simulated moving bed (LMS) separation processes with a reduced number of beds, typically less than three, face challenges in achieving commercial purity and high yield due to issues like dead zones and recirculations, which existing synchronous scanning techniques are insufficient to address.

Innovation Solution

The process involves a simulated moving bed separation method using a column with a plurality of adsorbent beds separated by trays, employing external diversion lines that adjust fluid injection and withdrawal points between plates to maintain optimal fluid flow and composition synchronicity, even when zones contain less than three beds, ensuring continuous scanning and minimizing composition discontinuities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If synchronous scanning techniques are used in LMS separation with reduced number of beds, then fluid flow synchronicity is improved, but composition discontinuities and recirculations still occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow synchronicityVSAvoidcomposition discontinuities
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A bypass line is introduced as an intermediary element to allow a portion of the fluid flow to bypass certain trays. This mediator enables continuous scanning of the distribution-extraction system without disrupting the main process flow, thereby eliminating composition discontinuities while maintaining fluid flow synchronicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass line enables continuous operation by allowing fluid to continuously scan the distribution-extraction system. This continuous action prevents dead zones and recirculations from forming, ensuring that the useful separation action continues uninterrupted even in zones with fewer than three beds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If external bypass lines are added to maintain fluid flow synchronicity, then separation performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass line is designed to serve multiple functions: it maintains fluid flow synchronicity, eliminates dead zones, prevents recirculations, and enables continuous scanning of the distribution-extraction system. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple performance benefits from a single structural addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for the achievement of commercial purity with high yield in LMS separation, improving the performance of LMS devices by maintaining fluid flow synchronicity and reducing recirculations and dead zones, even in configurations with fewer beds.

Implementation Method 1

zone 3 = adsorption zone for the extract compounds, between the injection of the feedstock and the extraction of the raffinate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

zone 1 = desorption zone for the extract compounds, between the injection of the desorbent and the extraction of the extract; zone 2 = desorption zone for the raffinate compounds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Data Source

PatentEP3583988B1Method and device for separation in a simulated mobile bed with a reduced number of beds with flow of bypass fluid
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
  • EP3583988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3583988B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3583988B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Simulated moving bed separation (MBS) method of a charge (F) in which: at least one zone (1, 2, 3, 4) contains fewer than three beds, if the flow (D, E, F, R) delimiting said zone and located upstream of said zone is injected or withdrawn from the tray Pi via the bypass line Li/i+1, then the flow delimiting said zone and located downstream of said zone is injected/withdrawn from the tray Pj via the bypass line Lj/j+1, and if the flow delimiting said zone and located downstream of said zone is injected or withdrawn from the tray Pi via the bypass line Li-1/i, then the flow delimiting said zone and located upstream of said zone is injected/withdrawn from the tray Pj via the bypass line Lj-1/j.