High efficiency continuous separation process

TL;DR: In this article, a process for separating an extract component from a raffinate component contained in a feed mixture is described, where a component concentration distribution is established within the system of units and divided into specific zones.

Abstract: A process for separating an extract component from a raffinate component contained in a feed mixture. A unidirectional fluid flow system is maintained through a series of separating units through which the components travel at different rates. A component concentration distribution is established within the system of units and divided into specific zones. Feed and displacement fluid are passed into the inlets of two of the units and extract and raffinate are taken as the entire streams from outlets of two of the units all at appropriate points on the component concentration distribution. Other inlets and outlets of the various units lying in the same zone are interconnected. At the appropriate times the inlets and outlets are shifted so as to simulate movement of the units in a direction co-current with the fluid flow and thereby enable the inlets and outlets to continually lie in the appropriate zones. Zones may be combined as zone pairs, each such pair thereupon being considered a single continuous zone. For each such combination, the number of separating units required may be reduced by one. Such combinations would be warranted in instances where a lesser degree of purity, concentration or recovery of a given component would be acceptable.