Abstract: An improvement is achieved in the operation of a process for the adsorptive separation of different components of a viscous high density feed stream, such as the separation of fructose from an aqueous mixture containing 50 wt. % fructose and glucose, in which the use of a moving bed of adsorbent is simulated. The improvement results from locating the fluid distribution means which switches the flow of the process streams between conduits leading to various points in the adsorbent bed at an elevation which is above the adsorbent bed. This reduces contamination of the next process stream to flow through the conduits which previously carried the feed stream.