Experimental study of a simulated counter-current adsorption system-IV. Non-isothermal operation

Abstract

In an isothermal continuous counter-current adsorption separation process the product streams are generally diluted relative to the feed. However, this limitation does not apply to a non-isothermal system and it is shown that by applying a properly controlled temperature profile one may obtain the more strongly adsorbed species at a concentration substantially greater than the feed concentration. The practical feasibility of such a system is demonstrated experimentally for the separation of fructose-glucose mixtures. Under properly selected non-isothermal conditions an extract product containing 42% wt fructose (+2% glucose) was obtained from a feed mixture containing 24% of both fructose and glucose. The operation of the system and the proper choice of conditions can be understood by considering the McCabe-Thiele operating diagram. © 1987.