The M3C Process: A New Multicolumn Chromatographic Process Integrating a Concentration Step. I—The Equilibrium Model

A new Multicolumn Chromatographic process, called M3C, is introduced. The originality of this process relies on the integration of a concentration loop at the extract level on the recycling stream of a Multicolumn Continuous Process (Simulated Moving Bed, Varicol…). Thanks to the tools of the equilibrium theory applied to an equivalent True Moving Bed integrating a concentration step, the working parameters of this new process are estimated in the case of multicomponent competitive Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The performances of this process are compared to those of the classical True Moving Bed in terms of productivity and eluent consumption, and exhibit significant improvement.