Supercritical CO2 extraction

What is Supercritical CO2?

Carbon dioxide usually behaves as a gas at standard temperature and pressure, it can exist in a liquid state or in a solid state called dry ice when cooled and pressurised sufficiently.

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gaseous-pressurised liquid co2-solid co2
 
There is however another fluid phase that CO2 can exist in at or above its critical point of 31°C and 73.8 bar, called supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). In this phase, the fluid adopts unique properties where it can permeate like a gas through solids but is able to dissolve molecules like a liquid.
The true power of scCO2 as an extraction medium is that by changing the pressure and temperature we can adjust the overall density of the supercritical liquid, which allows to optimize extraction conditions and selectivity for certain molecules. It has become an important commercial and industrial solvent due to its low running costs, high availability and chemical stability, low environmental impact and because it allows extraction of most known components with minimum damage or denaturing.

Core Separations are true experts in the field of fractionating different components during extraction processes, leveraging decades of innovative and extensive supercritical fluid experience. By championing their understanding of mechanical designs and the ins-and-outs of high-pressure extraction systems, they’re venturing into the European market to make the difference with turnkey systems tailored to their customers’ needs.

Core Separations CO2 pressure vessels (EV Series) are high pressure, high performance extraction and reaction vessels designed specifically for processing supercritical fluids.

Volume range:     
10ml to 10L vessel volume
Pressure range:  
up to 689 bar design pressure with CE/PED certification
Temperature range:
up to 150°C

 


For the extraction of natural products using CO2 as a renewable and natural resource to create high quality oils, Core Separations can deliver bespoke extraction systems to process a variety of natural products. 

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