Application of continuous chromatographic separation in sugar processing Original Research Article

The work deals with application of continuous counter-current chromatographic separation station in sugar technology. There are two main targets in this study: (1) Changes in sugar technology: simplification of sugar processing by sucrose crystallization from chromatographic extract without any previous demanding chemical processing and (2) higher valorisation of waste material and intermediates from sugar processing by isolation of high-quality substances. The chromatographic pilot plant KCHS-SMB-8, which was developed by the Department of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Technology ICT Prague and the firm MIKROPUR Hradec Kralove, was used for this purpose. Experiments deal with suggestion and verification of main operation conditions during chromatographic separation of technical sugar solution. The process was focused on separation of various model mixtures of sucrose/salt and sucrose/betaine. Results provide a basic data for further research and development for industrial use.