Fluctuations, such as perturbations in the quality of the extract and/or
raffinate streams removed from the circuit in a simulated moving bed (SMB) adsorptive
process having at least one discrete non-separating section are eliminated or significantly
reduced. This is accomplished by increasing the fluid flow rate in a portion of
the circuit in response to the location of a discrete non-separating section and
changing the flow rate of at least one stream that is in fluid communication with
the circuit consistent with the increased flow rate in the portion of the circuit.
Multiple adjustments to the flow rates of the input and/or output streams and multiple
increases in the fluid flow rates in portions of the circuit may be used simultaneously
when for example there is more than one discrete non-separating section.
