The chromatographic separation of 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol enantiomers with 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl phenylglycine bonded to silica gel stationary phases is studied. Continuous chromatography in simulated moving bed (SMB) is analyzed by modeling, simulation and operation of a SMB pilot unit Licosep 12–26 from Separex (France).
A model for the prediction of the cyclic steady-state performance of the SMB is developed based on the analogy with the true moving bed (TMB). The model assumes axial dispersion flow for the liquid phase, linear driving force (LDF) approximation for intraparticle mass transfer rate and takes into account multicomponent adsorption equilibria.
The SMB package allows the simulation of the pilot unit. The effect of operating variables (switching time, extract and feed flow rates, section length) and number of mass transfer units on the SMB performance is analyzed. The SMB performance is characterized by purity, recovery, solvent consumption and adsorbent productivity. The package also allows the simulation of the dynamic evolution of internal profiles for the transient operation of a TMB. The operation of the SMB pilot unit was carried out for the separation of racemic mixtures of bi-naphthol enantiomers. Using a 8-column configuration purities as high as 94.5% of the more retained species in the extract and 98.9% of the less retained species in the raffinate were obtained.
The objective of this paper is to study the separation of enantiomers of 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol in 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl phenylglycine bonded to silica gel, using heptane–isopropanol (72:28) as eluent by simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB). A model for the prediction of the cyclic steady state performance of the SMB, based on the analogy with the true moving bed, is developed assuming axial dispersion flow, linear driving force approximation for intraparticle mass transfer and multicomponent adsorption equilibria. The SMB package allows the simulation of the pilot unit. The effect of several operating parameters on the SMB performance is analyzed. The performance is characterized by purity, recovery, solvent consumption and adsorbent productivity. The package is an important tool for learning and training operators, allowing the choice of best operating conditions. The operation of the SMB pilot unit was carried out for the separation of racemic mixtures using a 8-column configuration. Purities and recoveries higher than 95% in the extract and raffinate were obtained. Model and experimental results are compared and the package is also used to predict the steady state internal profiles for the SMB operation in good agreement with experimental results.
