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Abstract

Two processes and apparatus for chromatographically separating components of a volatilizable mixture on a continuous basis are described herein as specific examples of the continuous preparative chromotographic separation of unwanted volatile species from volatile product by passage through a continuous fibrous textile solid. The volatilized mixture is fed by means of a flowing carrier gas through a column or conduit containing continuous polymeric solid therein such as a fibrous textile solid like yarn wherein one unwanted component of the mixture is significantly retarded in its passage by adsorption processes as compared to the other components of the mixture. The retarded component is that which one wishes to remove from the mixture. The desired product is gathered at the outlet of the conduit. The polymeric solid separating medium is regenerated by removal of the adsorbed component in either of two ways. In one method the adsorbing material is arranged in a continuously moving closed loop so that the adsorbed species can be stripped from it at a different location without interfering with continuous separation. The regenerated adsorbent is then returned to the point where it can serve to separate more of the mixture. In an alternate procedure, the adsorbed species is removed from a stationary adsorbing material by backflushing with carrier gas once the desired product has cleared. The column is then ready to receive a new charge of feed mixture. The conduit is preferably heated to control the movement of the various species so as to optimize the efficiency of separation. The major case to which these methods have been applied is the removal of water from a mixture with ethanol.

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First Claim