Apparatus for the semi-continuous chromatographic separation of binary and multi-component mixtures

Abstract

The invention relates to a semi-continuous chromatographic method for the separation of binary and multi-component mixtures and corresponding devices.

1 . A chromatographic quasi-continuous process for separating binary and multisubstance mixtures in a unit which consists of a plurality of individual columns bonded to one another in a direction X, characterized in that a two-dimensional separation is achieved by
 a in step  1  of the period p, supplying the feed in a column m and supplying an eluent stream in the direction Y to the other columns,   b in step  2  of the period p, flowing an eluent stream through the bonded columns in the direction X and forming a circulation stream,   c in step  1  of the period p+1, supplying further feed in the column m+1 and supplying further eluent stream in direction Y to the other columns,   d in step  2  of the period p+1, again flowing an eluent stream through the bonded columns in the direction X and forming a circulation stream,   e repeating a) to d) continuously.   
   
   
       2 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that, in the second step, fresh solvent is supplied at the distributor inlet C j  of a given distributor V n , and the circulation stream is removed at the distributor outlet D j  of the same distributor V n . 
   
   
       3 . The process as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the separated component is obtained in a semicontinuous process at the column outlet B* and possibly additionally at the distributor outlet Dn in the axial direction X. 
   
   
       4 . The process according to  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the circulation stream is established such that the column Sn is regenerated completely at the end of each period. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for chromatographic separation as claimed in  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that at least two chromatographic columns (S*) are connected in a circuit, and each column in Y direction (1) has a column inlet (A*) opposite a column outlet (B*), and in that each column is connected to the neighboring column in the direction X by a distributor (V*) which has a distributor inlet (C*) and a distributor outlet (D*). 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the directions X and Y are perpendicular to one another. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  or  6 , characterized in that the column S* has a square or partial ring shape. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claims 5  to  7 , characterized in that each column S* is divided into equidistant or into gradually finer G regions along the radial Y direction, each G region g of the column m being bonded to the G region g of the column m+1 through the distributor V*. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claims 5  to  8 , characterized in that the distributor V* consists of a combination of barrier valves. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claims 5  to  9 , characterized in that the distributor V* consists of a base body ( 1 ) which has paths for the eluents which are connected to the orifice ( 3 ), and has channels ( 4 ) which are aligned in the axial X direction and are opened and closed by a rotating cylinder ( 2 ).