Semi-continuous chromatographic method and corresponding device for the separation of binary and multi-component mixtures

1. A chromatographic quasi-continuous process for separating binary and multisubstance mixtures in a unit formed of a plurality of individual columns bonded to one another in a direction X, wherein a two-dimensional separation is achieved by

a in step 1 of a period p, supplying the feed in a column m and supplying an eluent stream in a direction Y to the other columns,

b in step 2 of the period p, flowing an eluent stream through the bonded columns in the direction X and forming a circulation stream,

c in step 1 of the period p+1, supplying further feed in the column m+1 and supplying further eluent stream in direction Y to the other columns,

d in step 2 of the period p+1, again flowing an eluent stream through the bonded columns in the direction X and forming a circulation stream,

e repeating a) to d) continuously.

2. The process as claimed in claim 1 , wherein, in the second step, fresh solvent is supplied at a distributor inlet C j of a given distributor V n , and the circulation stream is removed at a distributor outlet D j of the same distributor V n .

3. The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein a separated component is obtained in a semicontinuous process at the column outlet B* and possibly additionally at the distributor outlet Dn in the axial direction X.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the circulation stream is established such that the column Sn is regenerated completely at the end of each period.