André von Randow de Assis

There are 3 states of material.

• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas

But there is another state – The Supercritical

State.
 Liquid State
Critical Point
Solid State
Melting Point
Boiling Point
Triple
Point
Dry ice
Gaseous State

Phase diagram for CO2

A supercritical fluid is defined as a
substance above its critical point.

The critical point represents the highest

temperature and pressure at which the
substance can exist as a vapor and liquid in
equilibrium.

In general terms, supercritical fluids have

properties between a gas and a liquid.
It can diffuse through solids like a gas, and
dissolve materials like a liquid.

At the critical point, there isn’t difference in

density, and the 2 phases become one fluid
phase.

That is, we can’t differentiate the gaseous

phase of liquid phase.
Here we can see the 2 phases
(liquid and gaseous) of carbon
dioxide. The meniscus is easily
observed.

With an increase of the

temperature the meniscus
begins to decrease.

Increasing
Increasingmore
morethethe
temperature
temperature,the thecritical pointofis
densities
reached. The two
gas and liquid distinct more
to become
phases
similar.of liquid
The and gasis aren’t
meniscus less
visible. The meniscus
easily observed but iscan’t
still be
seen. One homogenous phase
evident.
called "supercritical fluid"
phase occurs. This phase have
properties of both liquids and
gases.
The CO2 critical point is relatively low: 31.1ºC
and 73 atm.
Advantages: non-toxic, non-flammable,
noncorrosive, chemically stable.
GRAS (Generally recognized as safe).
Available in high purity and relative low cost.
Good solvating power due to its low viscosity
and high diffusivity.
Non-aggressive to the environment and
produce extracts and sub-products free of
undesirable solvent residues.
The use of supercritical carbon dioxide for isolation
of active compounds has many advantages
compared to organic solvents, especially in the
food, pharmaceutical, perfumery and cosmetic
industries.

It isn’t necessary to do the waste treatment at the

residue.
The extraction with supercritical fluids is a process
based at the thermodynamics equilibriums and
at supercritical fluids properties.

We can extract oils and extract of plants.

Plants that have already been studied:
Anise – erva doce Ginger
Black pepper Lemongrass
Peppermint - menta Olive tree leaves
Cashew nut Onion
Chamomile Oregano
Clove bud Palm
Cocoa beans Paprika
Coffee Rosemary - alecrim
Coriander - coentro Salvia
Cottonseed Stevia leaves and seeds
Eucalyptus leaves Sunflower seeds
Fennel seeds - funcho
Properties of the extracts:

Anti-inflammatory Inhibits fungal and

Antiviral bacterial growth
Analgesic Antioxidant activity
Sedative Immunologic activity
Relaxant
Colouring
Anticancer
1 – CO2 tank
2 – Pressure regulator valve
3 – Extractors
4 – Separator
5 – Cooling bath
6 – Flow meter/ gas meter
7 – Pump
8 - Compressor
1 – Filling the extractor with the plant.
2 – The valve of the CO2 cylinder is opened.
3 – The CO2 pass into the cooling bath → Changing from gas to liguid.
4 – The compressor allows wich the pump works at the desired pressure.
5 – The pump pumps the CO2 through the extractor at the process pressure.
6 – Heating of CO2 until the process temperature. CO2 becomes supercritical.
7 – In the extractor the CO2 extratcs the compounds from the plant.
8 – In the separator is sapareted the CO2 from the extract. The extract is removed.
9 – The flow is measured at the flow meter.
10 – The extract is analysed by gas chromatography.