Simulated moving bed under linear conditions: Experimental vs. calculated results

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Abstract
A simulated moving bed (SMB) was operated for the separation of mixtures of 2‐phenyl ethanol and 3‐phenyl‐1‐propanol on columns packed with Zorbax C18 bonded silica, using a 60:40 (v/v) solution of methanol and water as the mobile phase. Series of four or eight columns were used. The experiments were carried out with low concentration mixtures, that is, under linear conditions. Band profiles of both compounds eluted from one of the columns during successive periods after steady state had been reached were recorded, as were the concentration histories at the extract and raffinate ports. These experimental results are compared to those predicted by two models: the linear ideal and the linear equilibrium‐dispersive models of chromatography, applied to the SMB separator. These two models give excellent agreement between the experimental profiles and those calculated with the model. As expected, the profiles predicted by the ideal and the equilibrium‐dispersive models differ only by the lack of dispersion in the profiles given by the former. The latter model is demonstrated to be a solid, reliable tool for further studies of the SMB design and optimization.