Outlet Streams Swing (OSS) and MultiFeed Operation of Simulated Moving Beds

Abstract

A new simulated moving bed (SMB) operation technique is introduced, the outlet streams swing (OSS), based on the dynamic collection of fronts from the equivalent true moving bed (TMB). This new assumption improves the product outlet purities, when compared with the classic operating mode, as a consequence of an increased separation between collection fronts and the contaminating ones. The strategy is dynamic and discontinuous, a collection front expansion is performed in zone 1 and/or 4, obtained by the violation of the classic respective design constraints during a first step and contraction during the second step using at least the classic design operating parameter for zones 1 and 4. Another non‐conventional technique, the MultiFeed (MF) SMB operation, is simulated and analyzed here as a solo technique as well as a powerful modelling technique for the particular case of inner sections Varicol® (only the zones 2 and 3 have variable number of columns).