Simulated moving bed adsorptive separation process for preventing increase in pressure drop and system thereof

1. In a simulated moving bed (SMB) adsorptive separation system for a liquid in which at least one component of a liquid mixture is brought into contact with solid adsorbent of an adsorbent layer formed in the bed and the adsorbed component is desorbed with a desorbent, an improvement comprising an inert ball layer having a thickness of from about 2 to 3 centimeters formed on one side of the absorbent layer.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 , wherein said inert ball layer is formed with alumina, mulite, or ceramic balls.

3. The system as defined in claim 2 , wherein said inert balls have about 0.125-0.25 inches of diameter.

4. In a process for separating a liquid mixture using a simulated moving bed (SMB) process by bringing at least one component of the liquid mixture into contact with solid adsorbent of an adsorbent layer formed in the bed and desorbing the adsorbed component with a desorbent, the process comprising the steps of:

introducing a liquid mixture into an adsorption chamber through an inlet port and multiple access lines connected to a rotary valve;

contacting the liquid mixture with an adsorbent layer formed in each bed and with an inert ball layer having a thickness of from about 2 to 3 centimeters formed on one side of the adsorbent layer;

discharging a raffinate mixture of a raffinate having relatively low adsorption ratio and the desorbent in the bed through a raffinate outlet port; and

discharging an extract mixture of an extract having relatively high adsorption ratio and the desorbent from the bed, through an extract outlet port;

wherein the rotary valve is operated in accordance with predetermined switching time so that the fluid mixture inlet port, the raffinate outlet port, the extract outlet port and the desorbent inlet port are connected to the adjacent multiple excess lines.

5. The process as defined in claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:

separating the discharged raffinate mixture into a high-boiling desorbent and a low-boiling raffinate in a raffinate column;

recycling the desorbent to the bed for use as a desorbent; and

discharging the raffinate through a first drum.

6. The process as defined claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:

separating the extract mixture into a high-boiling desorbent and a low-boiling extract;

recycling the extract to the desorbent inlet port for use as an additional adsorbent; and

discharging the extract through a second drum.

7. The process as defined in claim 4 , wherein said inert ball layer is formed with alumina, mulite, or ceramic balls.

8. The process as defined in claim 4 , wherein said inert balls have about 0.125-0.25 inches of diameter.