System and process for recovering products using simulated-moving-bed adsorption

A process for separating components in a feed stream by simulated countercurrent adsorptive separation comprising:

• introducing a feed stream, comprising at least one preferentially adsorbed component and at least one non-preferentially adsorbed component, and a desorbent stream into two different ports via two different corresponding transfer lines along a multi-bed adsorptive separation chamber having a plurality of beds that are serially connected in fluid communication and comprising a predetermined number of spaced ports with corresponding transfer lines in fluid communication therewith for introducing and removing fluid into and from the adsorptive separation chamber and withdrawing an extract stream and raffinate stream through two different ports of the multi-bed adsorptive separation chamber via two different corresponding transfer lines;
• withdrawing the extract stream through one transfer line that contains residual fluid away from the adsorptive separation chamber;
• directing an initial portion of the extract stream, including at least a portion of the residual fluid withdrawn through the one transfer line toward a first destination;
• and
• directing a subsequent portion of the extract stream withdrawn through the one transfer line toward a second destination.