Study of modified simulated moving bed systems for ternary separation

Abstract

In this dissertation, the performance of Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) system and its modifications, Varicol and SMB with variable flow rates have been studied through rigorous multi-objective optimization studies using the elitist Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm with Jumping Genes. Two industrially important systems, (a) the separation of C8 aromatics, containing the three xylene isomers (o, m, and p-xylene) and ethyl benzene, to recover p-xylene and (b) the reaction-separation system of sucrose Inversion yielding fructose and glucose are considered. After dealing with these binary separation systems, the study focuses on the application of SMB technology for ternary separation. Three configurations which can be easily modified from the conventional SMB are studied systematically. Comparisons of these systems are done for varying difficulty in the separation conditions. These systems are further applied for the industrial-scale separation of the C8 aromatics to recover the two industrially important chemicals p-xylene and ethyl benzene in a single SMB unit. All the comparisons are done at the optimal conditions by performing multi-objective optimization studies.