Simulated Moving Bed Chromatography Column Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing simulated moving bed chromatography (SMBC) separation systems face challenges in maintaining separation performance due to liquid accumulation portions, which degrade productivity and purity, especially when increasing flow rates to enhance productivity, leading to increased pressure loss and difficulty in controlling flow rates effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using relatively long columns filled with a filler having a large particle size, reducing the capacity of liquid accumulation portions, and controlling the circulation flow rate stepwise to achieve a desired number of theoretical plates, thereby enhancing separation efficiency and reducing the impact of liquid accumulation on separation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flow rate of eluant is increased to enhance productivity, then the amount of eluant passing through columns per unit time is increased, but the pressure loss occurring in the columns per unit flow rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of the filler from conventional small sizes (20-25 μm) to larger sizes (50-150 μm), which fundamentally alters the pressure loss characteristics of the column system. This parameter change enables higher flow rates to be achieved while maintaining acceptable pressure loss levels, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity enhancement and pressure loss control.
2Stress or pressure
If the number of columns or fill length is reduced to decrease pressure loss, then the flow rate can be increased, but the capacity of liquid accumulation portion becomes larger relative to filler capacity
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the filler particle size to larger dimensions (50-150 μm), the patent increases the filler capacity relative to the liquid accumulation portion capacity. This parameter change allows the system to tolerate larger liquid accumulation portions without degrading separation performance, enabling the use of fewer columns or shorter fill lengths while maintaining effective separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful effect of liquid accumulation portions into a beneficial or at least tolerable condition. By using larger particle size fillers, the system can accommodate larger liquid accumulation portions without significant loss of separation performance, thereby allowing simpler column configurations with fewer columns or shorter lengths.
3Manufacturing precision
If small particle size filler is used to achieve high separation performance, then the component is present in a narrow peak state, but the pressure loss increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the particle size parameter from small (20-25 μm) to large (50-150 μm) dimensions. This parameter change reduces pressure loss in the column system, enabling significantly higher flow rates to be used while maintaining acceptable separation performance, thereby resolving the contradiction between purity and productivity.
4Manufacturing precision
If special equipment with valves designed to reduce liquid accumulation portion is used, then separation performance is maintained at high flow rates, but the cost incurred in the SMBC separation system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive special equipment (valves designed to minimize liquid accumulation) with a simpler, more economical solution: using larger particle size fillers (50-150 μm) in conventional column configurations. This substitution achieves similar or better performance while significantly reducing equipment costs and simplifying the system.
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 improved separation performance and productivity by minimizing the influence of liquid accumulation, maintaining pressure loss equivalent to conventional conditions, and extending the switching interval of pump control, resulting in higher purity and quality products without the need for special equipment, thus reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for supplying an eluant to the columns
Implementation Method 2
a simulated moving bed chromatography separation system
Implementation Method 3
a particulate separating agent comprising a polysaccharide derivative for separating the target substance
Implementation Method 4
the separated component diffuses in accordance with the shape and size of the liquid accumulation portion
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 7~8
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for producing a target substance by separating it from a mixture using a simulated moving bed chromatography (SMBC) separation system, which can minimize decreases in separation performance due to interference from a liquid accumulation portion. A material, in which the target substance in the material can be separated using a first SMBC separation system that meets a first condition, is processed to separate and produce the target substance from the material using a second SMBC separation system that meets a second condition, wherein the particle size of a separating agent and fill length of a column tube are both greater, the pressure loss by the column is substantially the same, and the volume ratio of liquid accumulation portions in the endless flow passage of the SMBC separation system is lower.