LAPSE:2025.0389
Published Article
LAPSE:2025.0389
A Superstructure Approach for Optimization of Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) Chromatography
June 27, 2025
Abstract
One of the most successful continuous high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) processes for drug manufacturing is the Simulated Moving Bed (SMB). SMB is a multi-column, continuous, chromatographic process that can handle much higher throughputs than regular batch chromatographic processes. The process is initially transient, but eventually arrives at a cyclic steady state, which makes optimization very challenging, even more so when superstructure optimization is involved. To simplify the optimization problem, many researchers fixed the SMB structure, optimizing only the continuous variables, so they cannot be considered superstructure optimization. In this work, an SMB superstructure that can simultaneously optimize column structure and operation is proposed. The results showed that the superstructure proposed is reliable, and it is more efficient compared to current optimization approaches if the optimal column structure has to be identified.
One of the most successful continuous high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) processes for drug manufacturing is the Simulated Moving Bed (SMB). SMB is a multi-column, continuous, chromatographic process that can handle much higher throughputs than regular batch chromatographic processes. The process is initially transient, but eventually arrives at a cyclic steady state, which makes optimization very challenging, even more so when superstructure optimization is involved. To simplify the optimization problem, many researchers fixed the SMB structure, optimizing only the continuous variables, so they cannot be considered superstructure optimization. In this work, an SMB superstructure that can simultaneously optimize column structure and operation is proposed. The results showed that the superstructure proposed is reliable, and it is more efficient compared to current optimization approaches if the optimal column structure has to be identified.
Record ID
Keywords
Chromatography, gProms, Modelling and Simulations, Optimization, Particle Swarm Optimization, Process Design, Simulated Moving Bed, Superstructure
Subject
Suggested Citation
Sorensen E, Chia DN, Duanmu F. A Superstructure Approach for Optimization of Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) Chromatography. Systems and Control Transactions 4:1474-1479 (2025) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.130271
Author Affiliations
Sorensen E: Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
Chia DN: Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
Duanmu F: Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
Chia DN: Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
Duanmu F: Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
4
First Page
1474
Last Page
1479
Year
2025
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: 1474-1479-1453-SCT-4-2025, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2025.0389
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https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.130271
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Jun 27, 2025
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References Cited
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