Continuous fixed bed chromatography, adsorption, and ion exchange system

A continuous fixed bed separation system, comprising:

• a plurality of fixed bed treatment columns, each fixed bed treatment column including a resin or adsorbent;
• and
• a plurality of blocks of fixed bed treatment columns configured to perform a corresponding number of treatment steps in a multi-step separation treatment of mixtures, each block configured to perform a respective treatment step of the multi-step separation treatment, each block including at least one fixed bed treatment column;
• wherein the plurality of blocks are fluidly connected in series, the plurality of blocks including at least a first block configured to perform a first treatment step and a second block to perform a second treatment step, wherein a process time for the second treatment step is greater than a process time for the first treatment step, and wherein the second block includes a plurality of fixed bed treatment columns in parallel fluid communication within the block.

A method to increase the productivity of a continuous fixed bed separation system, the method comprising:

• fluidly connecting a plurality of fixed bed treatment columns with a valve system, each fixed bed treatment column including a resin or adsorbent, the valve system having a plurality of valve positions, each valve position arranging the plurality of fixed bed treatment columns into a plurality of blocks and connecting the blocks in series within a flow loop, each block including at least one fixed bed treatment column, at least one of the plurality of blocks including at least two fixed bed treatment columns in parallel fluid communication within the block, each block having the same number of fixed bed treatment columns in each of the plurality of valve positions, each of the plurality of valve positions having a different arrangement of the plurality of fixed bed treatment columns into the plurality of blocks;
• simultaneously performing a plurality of treatment steps within the plurality of blocks, each treatment step of the plurality of treatment steps performed within a corresponding block;
• removing a plurality of effluents from the flow loop via a plurality of outlets positioned between two adjacent columns of the plurality of fixed bed treatment columns;
• and
• iteratively realigning the plurality of fixed bed treatment columns by cycling the valve system through the plurality of valve positions, wherein each column of the plurality of fixed bed treatment columns conducts each treatment step in a cycle of the plurality of valve positions.