Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the crystallization of xylitol by contacting a xylitol solution with particulate xylitol suspended in a gas, drying the material to produce a multitude of microrystals and conditioning the material into an agglomerated product. The invention also relates to a particulate crystalline xylitol product having novel properties, to the use thereof in confectionery, foodstuff pharmaceuticals and oral hygiene products, and to special products comprising the same.

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 method of crystallizing maltitol from a maltitol solution by supersaturating the solution in repsect of maltitol and crystallizing the maltitol from the solution. In the process of the invention, the maltitol-containing solution is brought to a supersaturated state, and the solution is subjected to evaporation, until a crystallization mass is obtained which has a crystal yield of 1 to 80% on maltitol, and a dry solids content of over 50%. After bringing the solution to a supersaturated state, the solution is preferably seeded by adding maltitol seed crystals. In one embodiment of the invention, additional feed liquid is added during the crystallization by evaporation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing chemical pulp and xylose by the use of alkaline or neutral cooking and post hydrolysis of the pulp by performing the post hydrolysis directly on the pulp by means of acid treatment. In the method of the invention, the xylan in the pulp is utilized as completely as possible, resulting in a good xylose yield and, simultaneously, acceptable characteristics for the pulp.

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 invention relates to a method of crystallizing maltitol from a maltitol solution by supersaturating the solution in respect of maltitol and crystallizing the maltitol from the solution. In the process of the invention, the maltitol-containing solution is brought to a supersaturated state, and the solution is subjected to evaporation, until a crystallization mass is obtained which has a crystal yield of 1 to 80% on maltitol, and a dry solids content of over 50%. After bringing the solution to a supersaturated state, the solution is preferably seeded by adding maltitol seed crystals. In one embodiment of the invention, additional feed liquid is added during the crystallization by evaporation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purifying a maltose-containing liquor from a undesired impurities, such as maltotriose. The process of the invention is characterized by nanofiltering said liquor and recovering a purified maltose solution as the permeate.

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 method for the production of xylitol, the method comprising

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 process for the simultaneous production of xylitol and ethanol from a hydrolyzed lignocellulose-containing material, wherein the starting material is fermented with a yeast strain, the ethanol produced is recovered, a chromatographic separation is carried out on the remaining xylitol solution, and pure xylitol is crystallized.

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 invention relates to a chromatographic separation process of recovering mannose with high purity. The invention is based on the use of a chromatographic separation resin including a resin which is at least partly in a Ba2+ form resin and a resin which is in other than Ba2+ form.

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 a method for the fractionation of molasses using a chromatographic simulated moving bed system in which the liquid flow is effected in a single direction in a system comprising at least two chromatographic partial packing material beds. In the method of the invention, the product or products are recovered during a multi-step sequence comprising the following phases: feeding phase of molasses, eluting phase and recycling phase. The liquid present in the partial packing material beds with their dry solids profile is recycled in the recycling phase in a loop comprising one, two or several partial packing material, beds.

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 the production of mannitol by bioconversion with the aid of immobilized micro-organisms as well as to the use of the mannitol and by-products formed in the conversion process. In said process a solution containing a substrate convertible into mannitol is fed into contact with solid carrier particles containing viable mannitol-forming microorganism cells immobilized in and/or on said particles. The solution is reconditioned between successive conversion steps in order to provide conversion of a major portion of said substrate into mannitol.

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.