Method for the fractionation of molasses

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

• recovering at least one product during processing of molasses in two or more loops, each loop being separate 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, an eluting phase and a recycling phase, wherein liquid present in each loop comprises a separate defined dry solids (dry substance) profile, and said dry solids (dry substance) profile is recycled in the recycling phase of the loop;
• said processing of molasses further including further comprising
• feeding a feed solution derived from said molasses into said first loop, fractionating said feed solution derived from said molasses in said first loop into at least one product fraction and at least one residual fraction by a chromatographic simulated moving bed process;
• crystallizing said product fraction from said first loop;
• feeding a liquid derived from crystallization run-off of the crystallization of said product fraction from said first loop into said second loop, and fractionating said liquid derived from said crystallization run-off in said second loop by chromatographic fractionation into at least one other product fractions and at least one other residual fraction;
• and
• said product fraction from said first loop comprises a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids (dry substance) basis of said product than said feed solution comprising said molasses;
• said product fraction from said second loop comprises a greater percentage concentration by weight on a dry solids (dry substance) basis of said product than said feed solution comprising said molasses;
• and
• said product fraction from said second loop comprises a greater concentration be weight on a dry solids (dry substance) basis of said product than said liquid derived from said crystallization run-off.