Ibuprofen racemate separation by simulated moving bed

Ibuprofen racemates were separated in a SMB system with 4 chromatographic columns packed with TBB gels (Kromasil, Sweden). Retention times of R- and S- enantiomers of ibuprofen were measured in batch chromatography experiments with hexane/TBME/acetic acid mixed solvent. Isotherm parameters of SMB were calculated from the batch chromatography data, and operation flow parameters obtained from m2 and m3 plane of Morbidelli and coworkers. Experimental results are summarized as purities of raffinate and extract. In order to compare the experiments with simulations, ASPEN Chromatography simulator was adopted. Isotherm and operation parameters were inserted into the dialog box of the simulator, and simulation data obtained for comparison of experiments and simulations.