Supercritical CO2 fluid extraction machine

1.Supercritical extraction mostly uses carbon dioxide at high pressure to extract the high value products from natural materials. Unlike other processes, the extraction process leaves no solvent residue behind.

Moreover the CO2 is non-toxic, non-flammable, odorless, tasteless, inert, and inexpensive. Due to its low critical temperature 31°C, carbon dioxide is known to be perfectly adapted in food, aromas, essential oils and nutraceutical

industry. 
  
2.The schematic process diagram shown above describes the "classical" batch extraction process.

The equipment is composed of one or several extractors consisting in high pressure autoclave(s) with fast-opening systems in which the material to be treated is set inside a "basket " easy to put in and to remove, and a separation

section where extract and fluid are separated prior to fluid recycle through condensation and liquid pumping.

The major issue of such operation is the fact that it is a batch process.
Separex can now proposes a continuous extraction process on solid material. Very encouraging results are obtained on continuous extraction in an extruder at high pressure (on hops, caraway...)