Model-based Control of a Simulated Moving Bed Chromatographic Process for the Separation of Fructose and Glucose

Chromatographic separations are an emerging technology for the separation of high value products, particularly in the area of pharmaceutics, food, and ne chemicals. The simulated moving bed (SMB) process as a continuous chromatographic separation process is an interesting alternative to conventional batch chromatography, and gained more and more impact recently. The SMB process is realized by connecting several single chromatographic columns in series. A countercurrent movement of the bed is approximated by a cyclic switching of the inlet and outlet ports in the direction of the uid stream. Because of its complex dynamics, the optimal operation and automatic control of SMB processes is a challenging task. Currently, chromatographic separation processes are mainly controlled manually. This paper presents the design and realization of a model-based optimization and control scheme for SMB chromatographic separation processes and its application to the separation of fructose and glucose. We propose a two-layer control architecture where the optimal operating trajectory is calculated o -line by dynamic optimization based on a rigorous process model. The Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed. phone +49 231 7555124, fax +49 231 7555129, e-mail [email protected]