Remediation

This process implementation is needed when it becomes necessary to eliminate an unwanted component, such as pesticides, bad scent compounds or decolorize a matrix that is too dark.

Pesticides are chemical substances that are used to control pests and weeds in agriculture. However, they can also pose risks to human health and the environment due to their toxicity and persistence. Therefore, it is important to remove pesticide residues from food products and soil. One of the methods that can be used for this purpose is supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction.

Supercritical CO2 extraction can be applied to remove pesticide residues from various matrices, such as essential oils of spice plants, vegetable oils , rice , and soil . The extraction efficiency depends on several factors, such as the density, temperature, and volume of CO2, the type and concentration of pesticides, the presence of co-solvents or modifiers, and the characteristics of the matrix.

Supercritical CO2 is also used for removal of bad scent compounds from various materials, such as textiles, plastics, and leather. Bad scent compounds are usually organic molecules that have low volatility and high polarity, which make them difficult to remove by conventional methods. Supercritical CO2 can dissolve these compounds and carry them away from the material, leaving behind a fresh and odorless product.

Decolorizing a matrix with supercritical CO2 can remove unwanted colorants from various materials, such as textiles, paper, plastics and food products. The supercritical CO2 penetrates the matrix and dissolves the colorants, which are then separated from the CO2 by reducing the pressure and temperature.