SEPARATION OF GLUCOSE AND FRUCTOSE BY SIMULATED COUNTER-CURRENT ADSORPTION.

Abstract

Separation of glucose-fructose mixtures has been studied in a simulated counter-current adsorption system. The system may be represented in terms of an equivalent true counter-current system with dispersed plug flow or, equivalently, with a finite number of equilibrium stages. The validity of both these models has been verified experimentally and it is shown that the McCabe-Thiele diagram provides a useful means of understanding the effects of the process variables. The experimental system has also been operated as a 'Sarex' unit and the mathematical model is shown to provide a reasonably good prediction of the steady state concentration profiles. Under properly selected flow conditions fructose recovery is better than 94% at about 85% purity (dry basis).