Model-based selection of the degree of cross-linking of cation exchanger resins for an optimised separation of monosaccharides.

One of the main steps in designing preparative chromatographic separation units is the selection of a well-performing adsorbent. This is often based on expert knowledge or based on case studies of preselected adsorbents. Therefore, the selection is usually limited in terms of an optimised choice. In this contribution, a model-based optimisation of the selection of an adsorbent on the basis of correlations between structural adsorbent properties with model parameters of a transport dispersive model is proposed. Model parameters of glucose and xylose for five cation exchanger resins with varying degree of cross-linking are experimentally determined in a sequential approach. Void fractions and particle porosities were determined by pulse experiments with different tracers. Single-component isotherms were determined threefold via breakthrough curves with concentrations of up to 250 g l-1 at 60 °C. Mass transfer coefficients were determined by batch experiments. Correlations between the degree of cross-linking of the resins and the Henry coefficients as well as the mass transfer coefficients were derived and applied in an optimisation case study. Based on the derived mathematical formula, the process performance of experimentally not investigated resins were predicted. Further, the selection of a resin for a preparative monosaccharide separation was included into optimisation algorithms.