Method for the fractionation of molasses

A method for separating sucrose and betaine from a solution containing or derived from molasses in a chromatographic system, comprising:

• establishing a flow of liquid from a solution containing or derived from molasses and eluent through a chromatographic system in a multi-step process in at least two loops, said multi-step process occurring sequentially or continuously, each step including at least one of the following phases:
• a feeding phase, an eluting phase and a recycling or circulation phase;
• operating at least two loops within the multi-step process so that the liquid present in each of the loops forms a separate dry solids profile and recovering sucrose and betaine during the multi-step process;
• said loop including at least a first loop and a second loop, said first loop being upstream of said second loop, and each of said loops comprising at least one chromatographic bed, column, or part thereof which is separate and distinct from another loop;
• said method including
• chromatographically processing said liquid from a solution derived from molasses by a chromatographic simulated moving bed process in said loops;
• eluting two fractions from said first loop;
• eluting two other fractions from said second loop;
• one of said fractions comprising a betaine fraction, said betaine fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said betaine than said molasses;
• and
• one of said fractions comprising a sucrose fraction, said sucrose fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said sucrose than said molasses, and said sucrose fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight of sucrose than said other fractions in said loops.

A method for processing a feed solution derived from beet molasses, comprising:

• chromatographically fractionating a solution derived from beet molasses in two or more loops in a multi-step process comprising at least two steps occurring sequentially, continuously, or simultaneously, said steps in said two or more loops comprising one or more of the following phases occurring sequentially, continuously, or simultaneously in each of said two or more loops:
• a feeding phase, an eluent water phase, a recycling phase, or a recovery phase of fractions;
• flows conveying material from one loop to another during said feeding phase and said eluting phase;
• at least two fractions being recovered from one of said loops during the recovery phase therein;
• at least two other two other fractions being recovered from another of said loops during the recovery phase therein;
• one of said fractions comprising a betaine fraction, said betaine fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said betaine than said beet molasses, said betaine fraction comprising a greater concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said betaine than some of said other fractions in said loops;
• one of said fractions comprising a sucrose fraction, said sucrose fraction comprising a greater concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of sucrose than some of said other fractions in said loops;
• each loop comprising a series of columns, beds, or parts thereof, one of said loops having at least one column, bed, or part thereof, separate and apart from said other loops;
• and
• each loop having a separate dry solids profile.

A method for the processing of molasses selected from the group consisting of beet molasses, cane molasses, stillage, vinasse wood molasses, wheat molasses, barley molasses, corn molasses, and solutions derived from any of the preceding, comprising:

• eluting at least one product during processing of molasses in two or more loops in a system, each loop being different than the other loop, and each loop comprising one or more chromatographic beds, columns, or parts thereof separate and distinct from the other loop, said loops comprising at least a first loop and a second loop;
• said processing comprising at least one of the following phases:
• a feeding phase and a recycling phase, wherein liquid present in each loop comprises a separate defined dry solids profile, and said dry solids profile is recycled in the recycling phase of the loop;
• said processing of molasses further including further comprising
• eluting at least two fractions in said first loop by a chromatographic simulated moving bed process;
• eluting at least two other fractions by chromatographic fractionation in a second loop;
• conveying material from one loop to another loop;
• and wherein
• at least one of said fractions comprises a product fraction, said product fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said product than said molasses, and said product fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry substance basis of said product than said other fractions in said loops.

A method for separating sucrose and betaine from a liquid derived from molasses in a chromatographic system, comprising:

• establishing a flow of liquid derived from molasses and eluent through a chromatographic system in a sequential or continuous process comprising at least one of the following phases:
• a feeding phase, and a recycling phase;
• liquid present in the recycling phase forms a separate dry solids profile;
• and recovering sucrose and betaine during the sequential or continuous process;
• said loops including at least a first loop and a second loop, said first loop being connected to said second loop, said first loop being different than said second loop, and each of said loops comprising a different series of chromatographic beds, columns, or parts thereof;
• said method including
• flow through packing material beds effected between successive loops, the flow conveying material from one loop to another;
• chromatographically processing liquid derived from molasses in said first and second loops by a chromatographic simulated moving bed process;
• eluting at least part of one of said two fractions from said first loop;
• eluting at least part of one of two other fractions in said second loop;
• one of said fractions comprising a betaine fraction, said betaine fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said betaine than said molasses, and said betaine fraction comprising a greater concentration by weight of betaine than said other fractions in said loops;
• and
• one of said fractions comprising a sucrose fraction, said sucrose fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said sucrose than said liquid, and said sucrose fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight of sucrose than said other fractions in said loops.

A method for processing a feed solution derived from beet molasses, comprising:

• chromatographically fractionating a feed solution comprising diluted beet molasses in a first loop into at least two fractions in a process comprising one or more phases occurring sequentially or continuously, said phases in said first loop comprising at least one of the following:
• a feeding phase in said first loop, an eluent water phase in said first loop, a recycling phase in said first loop, and a recovery phase of fractions in said first loop;
• chromatographically fractionating at least one of said fractions from said first loop in a second loop into at least two other fractions by one or more phases occurring sequentially or continuously, said phases in said second loop comprising at least one of the following phases:
• a feeding phase in said second loop, an eluent water phase in said second loop, a recycling phase in said second loop, and a recovery phase of fractions in said second loop;
• one of said fractions comprising a betaine fraction, said betaine fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said betaine than said feed solution, said betaine fraction comprising a greater concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said betaine than said molasses, and said betaine fraction comprising a greater concentration by weight of betaine than said other fractions in said loops;
• one of said fractions comprising a sucrose fraction, said sucrose fraction comprising a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of said sucrose than said feed solution, said sucrose fraction comprising a greater concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of sucrose than said molasses, and said sucrose fraction comprising a greater concentration by weight on a dry solids basis of sucrose than other fractions in said loops;
• each loop comprising a series of columns, beds, or parts thereof, said second loop having at least one column, bed, or part thereof, separate and apart from said first loop;
• and said first loop being different than said second loop;
• flow through packing material beds effected between successive loops, the flow conveying material from loop to another;
• and
• each loop having a different dry solids profile.