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Qiaole He edited this page Nov 15, 2016 · 17 revisions

CADET-SMB

CADET-SMB is a comprehensive simulator for analysis and design of simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatographic processes. It is developed at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences 1 (IBG-1) of Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) under supervision of Dr. Eric von Lieres. CADET-SMB uses the simulation engine of the CADET framework, which provides a fast and accurate solver for the general rate model (GRM) of packed bed liquid chromatography.

Introduction

There are various practical modes of preparative chromatography. Cyclic batch elution chromatography is most frequently applied, and an efficient simulator is provided in the CADET framework (https://github.com/modsim/CADET). In counter-current chromatography, the fluid and solid phases are moved through the column in opposite directions. Since the true moving bed (TMB) process is technically hard to implement, the simulated moving bed (SMB) process is usually applied. In this repository, we offer an extension of the CADET framework, CADET-SMB, for simulating SMB chromatographic processes.

Features

Code features are organized into network setup, numerical methods, and inverse problems.

Network topology

SMB chromatography has originally been developed for binary (two components) separations. This is typically achieved by using four distinct zones with one or more columns each. Later, SMB variants have been developed for ternary (three components) separations. Two major strategies can be distinguished, both of which have advantages and disadvantages: a) sequential cascade of two conventional SMB units with eight zones in total, and b) integrated SMB units with eight or down to five zones. Moreover, CADET-SMB can be set-up with arbitrary column configurations, e.g., for simulating multicolumn counter-current solvent gradient purification (MCSGP).

Numerical methods

CADET-SMB provides two classes of numerical solution approaches: a) fixed point iteration (FPI) for computing the cyclic steady state (CSS) of an SMB unit, and b) operator splitting (OSP) for computing the dynamic trajectory (DTR) from any initial system state into the CSS. Two variants are implemented for each approach, standard versions (STD-FPI, STD-OPS) and alternatives with significantly improved numerical efficiency, namely fixed point iteration for the one-column analog (OCA-FPI) and lag-aware operator splitting (LAW-OPS). The improved performance of these numerical methods can be particularly useful in optimization settings. Details on all four approaches can be found in the documentation.

Inverse problems

In SMB chromatography, both the operating conditions (column dimensions, flow rates, switch times) and the column configurations (network topology) can be optimized, leading to a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem. However, optimization of the (discrete) column configuration is not yet implemented in CADET-SMB. For any given network topology, the operating conditions can be optimized with respect to user-specified objectives, e.g., purity, yield, cost. As these objectives are to be optimized in CSS, only the FPI approach is supported. Available search strategies include standard MATLAB functionality, particle swarm optimization (PSO), differential evolution (DE), Markov Chain Monte Carlo (DRAM version) and Metropolis adjusted differential evolution (MADE).

Detailed feature list

  • Binary separation is available using the four-zone scheme;

Four zone scheme for binary separations and the chromatogram of the four-zone SMB

  • Ternary separation is available using the cascade scheme, the integrated eight-zone or five-zone schemes;

Cascade scheme for ternary separations and the respective chromatograms of the cascade system

Eight-zone scheme for ternary separations and the chromatogram of the eight-zone scheme

integrated five zone scheme for ternary separations and the chromatogram of the eight-zone scheme

  • In both binary and ternary separations, arbitrary column configurations are available, in addition to basic column configurations such as 1-1-1-1, 2-2-2-2-2, 3-3-3-3, and 4-4-4-4-4;

  • By using operator-splitting, the true dynamics of the concentration profiles (also, trajectories) can be reproduced. Also using one-column analog, the convergence speed to the cyclic steady state (CSS) could be accelerated.

  • Continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and dispersive plug flow reactor (DPFR) models can be placed before and after each column to account for dead volumes in pumps, tubing, and valves;

The schematic of the dead volumes consideration

  • In binary separation, the ModiCon process is also available;

  • MATLAB interface allows to monitor the dynamic characteristics of each column in the SMB unit;

  • Optimization of decision variables for improving, e.g., productivity, purity, operating costs;

  • Parameter estimation from experimental data will be implemented in future versions;

  • Column models include transport dispersive model, equilibrium dispersive model, and general rate model;

  • Wide range of standard equilibrium/isotherm models allow to simulate either pure component or multi-component/competitive behaviour;

  • Further features of the CADET framework can be found at https://github.com/modsim/CADET.

Dependency and Platforms

  • Matlab(R2010b or higher);
  • CADET (version 2.3.2);
  • platforms, please see the Dependencies section in the CADET wiki.

Tutorial and Instructions

First, download the CADET software from https://github.com/modsim/CADET-SMB/releases, as CADET-SMB is based on the CADET simulator. Then, download the latest release of CADET-SMB from https://github.com/modsim/CADET-SMB/releases.

Installation of the CADET

  • download the latest release for your platform;
  • unzip the archive to your destination directory;
  • start MATLAB;
  • change directory to the unzipped CADET directory and run installCADET.m (you can save the MATLAB path to avoid calling installCADET.m every time you restart MATLAB);
  • Try one of the examples (e.g., examples/forward/loadWashElution.m) to check if everything works.

Installation of the CADET-SMB,

  • create a directory, simulatedMovingBed, in your unzipped CADET directory;
  • unzip the CADET-SMB archive to the simulatedMovingBed directory;
  • Change the working directory to the simulatedMovingBed directory and run isSMBupdateAvailable.m script (Along side checking the existence of the newest version, it also attach the current path the MATLAB path);
  • To test a forward simulation, copy any getParameter_something script from the examples/Forward folder to the simulatedMovingBed folder and change the name to getParameters.m; then run simulatedMovingBed.m.
  • To test an optimization, copy any getParameter_something script from the examples/Optimization folder to the simulatedMovingBed folder and also change the name to getParameters.m; then run SMBOptimization.m.

Demonstration

Several examples are provided in the repository.

By the way, the demonstration cases can directly be run by coping them from the examples directory to the simulatedMovingBed directory, then changing the file name to getParameters.m. Apparently, the examples can also be modified by replacing your own models, operating conditions, and optimization routines.

  • How to write your own getParameters routine?
  • How to adopt other isotherm models?

Documentation

For more details of the CADET-SMB software, see the file doc.pdf in the repository.

Further Development

CADET-SMB is actively developed. Hence, breaking changes and extensive restructuring may occur in any commit and release. For non-developers it is recommended to upgrade from release to release instead of always working with the most recent commit.

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