Abstract: The invention relates to a separation process of fractionating a solution comprising betaine and sucrose by subjecting said solution to chromatographic fractionation and nanofiltration and recovering a fraction enriched in betaine and optionally a fraction enriched in sucrose. The solution to be fractionated in accordance with the present invention is typically a sugar beet-derived solution, for instance a molasses solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of separating compounds with a small molar mass from compounds having a molar mass less than 1.9 times that of the compounds with a small molar mass using nanofiltration. The compounds with a small molar mass have a typical molar mass less than 250 g/mol. In one embodiment of the invention, pentose sugars are separated from hexose sugars. The invention can be applied to the recovery of xylose from spent liquors and to the recovery of betaine from sugar beet pulp extracts, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid distributing device for distributing fluid into a column and to a fluid collecting device for collecting fluid from a column. The invention relates also to methods of using the devices of the present invention. The distributing device and/or the collecting device of the present invention can be used in fixed or fluidized bed reactors or columns, such as chromatographic separation columns, ion exchange columns, adsorption columns etc. A fluid distributing device comprises a) a first fluid conveying system; and b) a distributing plate, which comprises i) first means for fluid transfer for dividing the fluid flow coming from the delivering points into several partial fluid flows and for distributing the partial fluid flows into the column; and ii) first means for controlling of the partial fluid flows by differential pressure in the first means for fluid transfer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an equipment for fractionating a solution by a sequential SMB process, which equipment comprises a feed column and one or several other columns, which include a chromatographic separation resin bed. The equipment of the invention is characterized in that the feed column consists of or comprises a compartment where the resin bed is shallower than that of one or more of the other columns of the equipment. The invention also relates to a method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions with the equipment of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a weakly acid cation exchange resin for chromatographic separation of carbohydrates. In the invention the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interaction of carbohydrates, sugars and sugar alcohols with the weakly acid cation exchange resin is utilized. The weakly acid cation exchange resin is used for separation of hydrophobic saccharides, such as deoxy, methyl and anhydrosugars and anhydrosugaralcohols from more hydrophilic saccharides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating sugars and sugar alcohols from each other. More particularly the present invention relates to the use of a weakly basic anion exchange resin in a chromatographic separation process. The advantage of the present invention compared with the prior art is that it is especially suitable for separating reducing sugars in acidic conditions as well as for example in weakly acidic conditions. The method using chromatographic separation comprises at least one step where a weakly basic anion exchange resin is used in a chromatographic column or in a part of a column.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions by a chromatographic simulated moving bed (SMB) process, wherein the separation system comprises at least two separation profiles in the same loop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a process for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions. The system of the invention comprises at least two compartments having a diameter of at least about one meter and including a uniform packing of a polymer-based ion exchange resin with a bead size in the range of about 50 to about 250 &mgr;m. The mixing volume of the fluid fronts in the system of the invention is not more than 5% of the volume of the compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method comprising a multistep process for recovering betaine, erythritol, inositol, sucrose, mannitol, glycerol and amino acids from corresponding starting materials. The invention comprises the use of a weakly acid cation exchange resin in chromatographic column in the multistep process. The starting materials are especially beet molasses, betaine molasses, syrups, thick juices, raw juices, corn steep cane based solutions and glycerol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid distributing device for distributing fluid into a column and to a fluid collecting device for collecting fluid from a column. The invention relates also to methods of using the devices of the present invention. The distributing device and/or the collecting device of the present invention can be used in fixed or fluidized bed reactors or columns, such as chromatographic separation columns, ion exchange columns, adsorption columns etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of separating compounds with a small molar mass from compounds having a molar mass less than 1.9 times that of the compounds with a small molar mass using nanofiltration. The compounds with a small molar mass have a typical molar mass less than 250 g/mol. In one embodiment of the invention, pentose sugars are separated from hexose sugars. The invention can be applied to the recovery of xylose from spent liquors and to the recovery of betaine from sugar beet pulp extracts, for example.

Abstract: A method for separating sucrose and a second dissolved component from a sucrose-containing solution, preferably a beet-derived sucrose-containing solution, wherein the solution is subjected to a first fractionation by a continuous or sequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process to yield a sucrose-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched with the second dissolved component. The resulting fraction enriched with the second component is subjected to a second chromatographic fractionation that is a simulated moving bed or batch type process, to yield a second sucrose-enriched fraction and a second fraction enriched with the second dissolved component wherein both fractions have an improved yield or purity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation process of fractionating a solution comprising betaine and sucrose by subjecting said solution to chromatographic fractionation and nanofiltration and recovering a fraction enriched in betaine and optionally a fraction enriched in sucrose. The solution to be fractionated in accordance with the present invention is typically a sugar beet-derived solution, for instance a molasses solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a weakly acid cation exchange resin for chromatographic separation of carbohydrates. In the invention the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interaction of carbohydrates, sugars and sugar alcohols with the weakly acid cation exchange resin is utilised. The weakly acid cation exchange resin is used for separation of hydrophobic saccharides, such as deoxy, methyl and anhydrosugars and anhydrosugaralcohols from more hydrophilic saccharides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the fractionation of molasses using a chromatographic simulated moving bed system with two or more loops in which the liquid flow can be effected in a system comprising at least two chromatographic partial packing material beds. In the method of the invention, product(s) are recovered during a process comprising one or more of the following phases: a feeding phase of molasses, an eluting phase and a recycling phase. The liquid present in the partial packing material beds with their dry solids profile can be recycled in the recycling phase in one or more loops comprising one or more partial packing material beds.

Abstract: The invention relates to sulphonated polymer resins, particularly polymer resins with a sulphonated shell layer, and the preparation thereof. Resins according to the invention are prepared by sulphonating a polymer in a non-swollen state with substantially pure gaseous sulphur trioxide substantially in the shell layer of the polymer particles. The polymer to be sulphonated can be for example a styrene-DVB copolymer. The resins according to the invention can be used for example as chromatographic resins, ion-exchange resins and catalyst resins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fractionating liquid mixtures or solutions, comprising the steps of subjecting a feed in the form of a liquid mixture or solution to a first chromatographic separation, thereby recovering at least a fraction (A) and a fraction (B) both containing a first component or product, subjecting a mixture or solution derived from or comprising said fraction (A) to a second chromatographic separation, thereby recovering at least a fraction (C) rich in said first component or product and subjecting a mixture or solution derived from or comprising said fraction (B) to a third chromatographic separation, thereby recovering at least a fraction (D) also rich in said first component or product, and whereby at least two fractions are recovered from the second and third chromatographic separations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an equipment for fractionating a solution by a sequential SMB process, which equipment comprises a feed column and one or several other columns, which include a chromatographic separation resin bed. The equipment of the invention is characterized in that the feed column consists of or comprises a compartment where the resin bed is shallower than that of one or more of the other columns of the equipment. The invention also relates to a method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions with the equipment of the invention.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a solution into two or more fractions by a chromatographic simulated moving bed (SMB) process, wherein the separation system comprises at least two separation profiles in the same loop.

Abstract: A method for separating sucrose and a second dissolved component from a sucrose-containing solution, preferably a beet-derived sucrose-containing solution, wherein the solution is subjected to a first fractionation by a continuous or sequential chromatographic simulated moving bed process to yield a sucrose-enriched fraction and a fraction enriched with the second dissolved component. The resulting fraction enriched with the second component is subjected to a second chromatographic fractionation that is a simulated moving bed or batch type process, to yield a second sucrose-enriched fraction and a second fraction enriched with the second dissolved component wherein both fractions have an improved yield or purity.