Design of a simulated moving bed unit for sucrose–betaine separations

The results of a series of pulse experiments carried out in a fixed bed column packed with a strongly acid ion-exchange resin and with reference to the separation of an aqueous sucrose–betaine mixture are presented. These data were used to evaluate equilibrium and diffusion parameters for both key components in the frame of linear chromatography theory. The estimated values were used to design a simulated moving bed plant aimed to separate betaine from sucrose in beet molasses.