Comparing multi-column chromatographic processes for purifying monosaccharides part I: A simplified approach

This work proposes a methodology for comparing different multi-column chromatographic processes (SMB, ISMB, SSMB) for purifying monosaccharides. The first step of the methodology consists in determining the flow rates associated with the different processes assuming that the columns are infinitely efficient. This allows deriving “idealized” operating conditions. In a second step, using the “idealized” conditions, the behavior of the real systems associated with columns of finite efficiencies are simulated with ChromWorks™ and compared. It is shown that the SMB performs better than single column elution chromatography, and that, for the application selected, ISMB and SSMB are very similar and perform better than SMB.