CO2 Extraction, Fractionation & Atomization Physics
Discover the principles behind Supercritical CO2 Extraction.

SFE Supercritical Fluid Extraction
SFE is an alternative compared to the classic separation systems like fractionated distillation, steam current distillation, solvent extraction or thermal desorption. SFE can be applied

CO2 phase diagram – States of matter
CO2 isn’t a liquid at room pressure: it is a gas. In the picture here on the right, taken from The Engineering ToolBox, the equilibrium

Is CO2 polar or nonpolar?
The supercritical fluid commonly utilized is carbon dioxide (CO2). The state diagram of CO2 visualizes the various phases (solid, liquid, gas) depending on pressure and

What is a CO2 extract / oil?
Supercritical CO2 extracts display some of the characteristics of both essential oils and absolutes. Like essential oils, they contain many beneficial therapeutic properties. But unlike

What is a supercritical fluid?
A supercritical fluid is any substance at temperature and pressure above its critical point. It can diffuse through solids like a gas, and it can

Supercritical CO2 property
ADVANTAGES USING CO2 IN SUPERCRITICAL STATE Characteristics of supercritical CO2 state Benefits derived by the supercritical CO2 specific characteristics is odorless, non-toxic does not contaminate raw material or

How does CO2 extraction work?
The main feature of supercritical fluids (SCF) is the tunability of their properties as solvent, supercritical CO2 or SC-CO2 extraction processes present an important advantage

Supercritical CO2 extraction benefits
The supercritical CO2 extraction is, beyond all doubt, the best extraction technique available today. It is the best not only for the quality of its

Semi Continuous Extraction
The semi continuous extraction reduces the down time and bacteria pollution in the system. The CO2 flows continuously in the circuit, preventing the accumulation of Dirt and Bacteria.

Estrazione seriale
While in the simple semi continuous extraction the system is equipped with 2 extraction vessels, in the overlapping extraction the system is equipped with 3

Soaking or Static-Dynamic extraction
The soaking extraction or static-dynamic-steps (SDS) allows the supercritical co2 to remain in contact with the raw material for the time necessary to dissolve the

Supercritical Fluid Fractionation
For Fractionation it is meant the separation of one or more components (from a mixture) with the employment of a miscible or immiscible solvent, thanks to a

Atomization of CO2 Extracts
Atomization occurs when a jet of liquid is broken down into more or less fine droplets. The ideal spray consists of drops of the same

SFC Supercritical Fluid Chromatography
Chromatography is a fractionation technique widely utilized in the pharmaceutic industry, where productions are highly valuable, because it is a very efficient technique, and it allows

Near-critical Expansion Atomization
In NEA (Near-critical Expansion Atomization) process, the carbon dioxide is used in this process for the atomization and the crystallization of the product. The product subjected to the process is maintained

Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solution
RESS (Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solution) is used generally to produce fine particles for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.Organic material is dissolved in supercritical carbon

Particles from Gas Saturated Solutions
PGSS (Particles from Gas Saturated Solutions) is a technique for the production of microparticles of different materials of relatively low melting temperatures, such as polymers, waxes

Supercritical AntiSolvent Micronization
As mentioned previously, the low solubility of a part of pharmaceutical products of interest limits the use of SC-CO2 as a solvent in the mico

Supercritical Assisted Atomization
SAA (Supercritical Assisted Atomization) process is focused on the nebulization of the liquid solution rather than using dense gas (SCF) to achieve precipitation by solubility reduction

Terpenes extraction
Terpenes, main constituents of essential oils, commonly called “essences”, are widely spread both in the animal and plant kingdoms in the form of apparently different

The importance of Cleaning
The cleaning procedure is an important practice: it has the same importance of the extraction process. Any extraction system needs to be cleaned periodically: this

Pompa co-solvente
A liquid co-solvent can be added to CO2 to increase its solvent power on polar molecules. Indeed, supercritical CO2 is a good solvent for lipophilic

Quick closing system
Quick opening cover design needs only one-eighth of a turn rotation for sealing. Ideal for high pressure operations requiring repetitive opening/closing. The “Clover Leaf” Closure

Recycling – CO2 Condenser
The condenser is essential in CO2 recirculation. The condenser is a piece of apparatus or equipment that can be used to condense, that is, to

Coriolis flow meter
The Corilolis flow meter is basically a mass flow meter. It gives you exactly the mass of CO2 is delivered by the membrane pump, with

CO2 Level – Find the equilibrium points
We say that a liquid is in equilibrium with its gas when the same mass is exchanged from the gas to liquid and from liquid

Gravimetric Separator
This is the first Separator (S1). It applies the gravimetric effect to separate the extract in fractions. This separator is heated at set-point temperature. When

What is a Cyclonic Separator?
This kind of separator is different compared to the gravimetric separator, while S1 works by gravity force, S2 works by centrifugal force. The fluid moves

What is a Membrane Pump?
Separeco doesn’t use piston pumps or compressors in its systems, but diaphragm metering pumps only.Although the cost is higher if this kind of pump is

Extraction efficiency of CO2
Supercritical carbon dioxide isn’t only a efficient solvent for apolar compounds, in fact, if it’s combined with fluid modifiers like water, it becomes a very

ESE Enhanced Solvent Extraction
Supercritical Carbon dioxide is a great solvent for apolar substances. Our compressed water and carbon dioxide extraction system allows the extraction of polar substances. The

Separation and fractionation processes
After the extraction process, the mixture composed by CO2 and solutes leaves the extraction vessel(s) and it is directed to the separation vessels. By varying

Supercritical CO2 Solubility
Supercritical CO2 extraction process depends by CO2 solubility. Particularly is “geometrically variable”. A supercritical fluid is any compound at a temperature and pressure above its

ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
We use ASME VIII div 1 design code for all our pressure equipments. ASME is one of the oldest standards-developing organizations in America. It produces

PED – Pressure Equipment Directive
PED, (2014/68/EU) applies to the design, manufacture and conformity assessment of stationary pressure equipment with a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0,5 bar. The directive

Safety PLC in CO2 Extraction Machines
We use ABB B&R safety PLCs in our systems. Safety is our mission. It’s essential to protect people, machines and our future. To check the