Isolation of a target component from a multi-component mixture by coupling batch and continuous countercurrent chromatography

A typical situation in preparative chromatography is that a certain target component elutes somewhere in the middle of a train of other components present in the feed. In order to isolate efficiently this target component the operating conditions of conventional batch chromatography have to be optimized carefully. Nevertheless the achievable production rates and recovery yields are frequently low. Recently a possible alternative was suggested (US Patent: 6,306,306 B1, 2001 [1]) based on using batch chromatography just as a first step providing fractions where the target component has the highest or lowest retention time. Subsequently these fractions could be processed using continuous countercurrent chromatography in order to isolate the target component. Such a coupled process is analyzed theoretically for the case of linear adsorption isotherms. Based on results of simulations using a) the ideal model of chromatography and b) the equilibrium dispersive model it is demonstrated that the coupled process arrangement could possess advantages, compared to the application of batch chromatography alone. Keyword: preparative chromatography; batch; continuous countercurrent; coupled process *) corresponding author: [email protected]