Separation of betaine from molasses

Abstract

This paper presents the result of an experimental study dea.ling with the separation of betaine from molasses. It is a part of an ongoing research work desired to design'and develop a simulating moving bed (SMB) for the separation of main sugar and non-sugar components from molasses with chromatography intended to optimize sugar industries. In view of this, a series of pluse experiments at different betaine concentrations were carried out in a fixed bed column packed with a strongly anionic exchange resin. The adsorption equilibria for both lower (very dilute) and higher betaine concentrations were identified from the eluted pulse peaks. The first moment, equilibrium constants, solid phase concentrations and equilibrium isotherm are reported.