Experimental study of a simulated counter-current adsorption system. III: Sorbex operation

Abstract The separation of an aqueous mixture of fructose and glucose has been carried out in a simulated moving bed counter-current adsorption system, operated in a manner similar to the UOP “Sorbex” process. Concentration profiles measured under cyclic steady state conditions are close to the profiles predicted theoretically for the equivalent continuous counter-current system. The conditions on the flow rates which must be fulfilled in order to obtain an operable process are delineated and the effects of the process variables on product quality are examined. Under properly selected conditions product purities and recoveries of 85–95% are obtained. This is comparable with the values quoted for a commercial Sarex system.