What Is Supercritical CO₂?

Carbon dioxide is in its supercritical fluid state when both the temperature and pressure equal or exceed the critical point of 31°C and 73 atm (see diagram). In its supercritical state, CO₂ has both gas-like and liquid-like qualities, and it is this dual characteristic of supercritical fluids that provides the ideal conditions for extracting compounds with a high degree of recovery in a short period of time.

CO₂ Phase Diagram

By controlling or regulating pressure and temperature, the density, or solvent strength, of supercritical fluids can be altered to simulate organic solvents ranging from chloroform to methylene chloride to hexane. This dissolving power can be applied to purify, extract, fractionate, infuse, and recrystallize a wide array of materials.

Because CO₂ is non-polar, a polar organic co-solvent (or modifier) can be added to the supercritical fluid for processing polar compounds. By controlling the level of pressure/temperature/modifier, supercritical CO2 can dissolve a broad range of compounds, both polar and non-polar.

Applied Separations offers a full line of SFE systems to meet the needs in your laboratory.

Spe-ed SFE Prime
Applied Separations has created the first teaching tool for Supercritical Fluids. Safe and affordable, this instrument is perfect for the classroom.

Supercritical Fluids (SCF) Education
As thought-leaders in the world of Supercritical Fluids, Applied Separations strikes to share its knowledge and experience to further the use of Supercricial Fluids.

Laboratory Instruments
Applied Separations has the instruments you need in your laboratory to handle the most complex to the most straight-forward SCF projects.

Pilot Plants: Small Production
The basic supercritical pilot plant is a "no frills" caster-mounted system for the budgetminded. You, as the user, determine the size of the system...

Industrial Scale Production
Applied Separations will work with you to pin-point your needs and determine the feasibility of your project.

Metal Injection Molding
Supercritical Fluids will revolutionize the debinding process.

Accessories
Not only do we offer SCF instruments, but a full line of accessories the customize your SCF instruments are also available.

Applications
We have compiled a comprehensive list of SCF applications available for free. Click here to view the list of the SCF applications you can put to use immediately in your lab.

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Let Green-I-Am introduce you to the world of SCF!>

What is Supercritical Fluid Extraction: A look at this green technology that uses SCF How to pack a vessel: Learn how to effectively pack a vessel for any of the Spe-edSFE instruments in our line. The Spe-ed SFE Prime from Applied Separations: Learn about this low cost instrument, created especially for the educational market. Teaching Environmentally Benign Extraction Technologies with a Cost Effective, User Friendly Instrument: This paper, presented at ACS 2008, describes the fundamentals of the supercritical fluid extraction process and the implementation of this environmentally friendly, green chemistry technique, using the low cost, student-friendly Spe-ed SFE Prime. The "Green" Extraction of Oils from Natural Products Using Supercritical Fluids: Learn how to use SCF for natural product extractions from this poster, presented at ACS 2008. SCF Product Line from Applied Separations: Check out the extensive line of Spe-edSFE instruments available from Applied Separations. Helix for Aerogel Drying Learn how to use the Helix System for Aerogel Drying. SCF Debinding System Components Watch this presentation to learn more about the system and how it works. Producing Particles with SCF View this presentation containing an Overview of Methods for Producing Particles with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide    More on ASInteractive...

It's Easy Being Green! Carbon dioxide is one of the most commonly used supercritical fluids. CO2 is: Safe Inexpensive Readily available An ideal substitute for many hazardous and toxic solvents CO2 is not produced in the the SCF process. Existing CO2 is merely used. There is NO addition to any greenhouse effect.

Please contact us to discuss how the SCF systems at Applied Separations can meet the needs of your laboratory.