Preparative Chromatography

High performance adsorbents prepared the ground for increasing applications of preparative chromatography in the field of fine chemicals and pharmaceutical agents. But a real break through was stimulated by additional research and development during the last decade, especially in the field of continuous separation processes like Simulated Moving Bed technology (SMB). Especially joint interdisciplinary efforts of chemists and engineers contributed to the increasing acceptance and industrial application of production scale chromatographic processes. Our authors, a team of engineers and chemists, who shared their views on preparative chromatography, reflect this situation. It is their aim to present and link experimental and production scale experience, basic knowledge in chemistry and thermodynamics as well as process engineering. Therefore the contents start with an introductory section on the history of chromatography, the current state of research and the design of chromatographic processes. The book goes on to explain fundamentals and to define the general terminology. The next sections are on solid materials and packed columns followed by procedures to select chromatographic systems for given tasks and a characterisation of process concepts for batch as well as continuous operation. Subsequent chapters focus on modelling and process simulation including determination of model parameters as well as the design and optimization of preparative chromatographic processes and close with design and operation of chromatographic reactors. Finally the latest results and developments in process control of chromatographic processes are presented. Due to its interdisciplinary nature the book is essential for chemists as well as engineers working in the fine chemicals and pharmaceutical industries as well as for food technologies.