Fractionation

When liquid fractions must be extracted from liquid matrices, this is called Fractionation. This system use packing columns which, by increasing the exchange surface by hundreds of times, allow the compounds contained in the matrix to be separated according to their solubility point and their weight. Separeco offers integrated extraction/fractionation solutions or fractionation-only machines, based on the size: the combined systems are built for plants not exceeding 24 liters for the extractor. Beyond these dimensions, combined plants are no longer efficient enough and only specialized plants are chosen for fractionation. 

The column can contain different types of packings which are chosen based on the matrix’s composition. The fractionating column’s size is calculated and based on the matrices that need to be fractionated. During operation the heavier fraction is collected at the base of the column (refined) while the extract is collected and separated from the CO2 in the separators. As for the extraction, here too it is possible to have supercritical conditions not only in the extractors but also in the separators, considerably increasing the selectivity of the separators towards the various compounds extracted. Fractionation systems are equipped with two high pressure pumps, one for the CO2 and the other for the liquid. Read More