Optimizing the operation of a sequential-simulated moving-bed separation process using MINLP

In the chemical processing industry today there is a need for efficient methods to separate multicomponent mixtures within reasonable costs. Chromatographic separation, and especially the simulated moving-bed (SMB) chromatographic separation, is a good alternative to this need. It is not only important to find the best separation process, but also to be able to run it in the best possible way. Optimization of these complex dynamic systems is a challenging task and the schedules are often a result of a very long development process performed by experienced shedulers and production engineers.