COMPUTER-AIDED PROCESS DESIGN - THE DESIGN OF AN AFFINITY-BASED CONTINUOUS SEPARATION PROCESS

The exploration and design of novel processes and modified process con figurations can be improved by process simulation. The development of an adequate process model, however, is the crucial step. When the deve lopment of a rigorous model is hindered by the lack of fundamental dat a a different approach has to be taken. Such an approach is described for a continuous biospecific adsorption process. A method for the anal ysis of fixed bed breakthrough data was developed and tested. Models f or batch and continuous separation processes were built, based on the variation of the analysis parameters. The deduced models could be veri fied against fixed bed and continuous adsorption experiments. Simulati on studies were conducted to assess the optimal process configuration with regard to the product purity and the controllability of the proce ss. Furthermore comparisons of batch and continuous adsorption process es with respect to adsorbent and utility consumption were carried out.