Use of ion exchange resins in continuous chromatography for sugar processing

Abstract

In this chapter, the use of ion exchange resins in continuous sugar process industry is reviewed. A particular focus is given to chromatographic methods and, in particular, to continuous annular chromatography and simulated moving-bed (SMB) apparatus. The use of ion exchange resins for the separation of a fructose and glucose mixture (by means of an SMB unit) and the separation into pure components of a ternary mixture of sugars (by means of a Pseudo-SMB technique) is detailed. The use of ion exchange resins in integrated reactors (separation in situ with reaction) is also addressed in this chapter, presenting several advantages of these promising intensified processes for the sugar industry.