Supercritical Fluids

Supercritical fluids technology uses the powerful solvent properties of gases, compressed to their critical point, to dissolve, cleanse, and purify. CO2 is the most often investigated and used supercritical fluid because it is environmentally benign, energy-efficient and provides cost-efficient processes such as:

• Extraction
• Separations
• Solvent Recovery
• Cleaning
• Drying
• Reaction
• Particle Formation

When gas is compressed to its critical point, defined by the pressure and temperature, it reaches a supercritical state. CO2 has a useful combination of liquid-like density and solvency, and gas-like viscosity, diffusivity, compressibility and lack of surface tension. CO2 rapidly penetrates substrates and dissolves a wide range of chemicals making it ideal for extractrions or as a gentle solvent for treatment of temperature-sensitive natural substances. They then can be separated with high purity while retaining aroma. DeWallace Engineering’s custom designed supercritical carbon dioxide processing plants recover and reuse over 95% of the CO2.

CO2 in supercritical state rapidly penetrates substrates and dissolves a wide range of chemicals with an ability to control the solvent power by minor changes in pressure and temperature. CO2 in supercritical state rapidly penetrates substrates and dissolves a wide range of chemicals with an ability to control the solvent power by minor changes in pressure and temperature.

Call to discuss your Supercritical Fluids needs with one of our engineers.