This industrial test equipment is highly versatile. It is capable of performing supercritical multi-fluid stepwise extraction, recombination extraction, extraction and recovery of toxic components, as well as extraction and recovery of ultra-low trace components. It also supports rectification, extractive distillation, reverse extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, extraction combined with freezing crystallization. Additionally, the system is fully enclosed and allows for the circulation of multiple solvents. In health food processing, it enables product puffing, decolorization, desulfurization, deodorization, coloring, and flavoring.
The supercritical fluid extraction process consists of three main parts, which function as follows:
(1) The supercritical fluid is supplied by a set of equipment that includes an extractant storage tank, a high-pressure pump, and other auxiliary components. The primary function of this unit is to convert the extractant from its standard temperature and pressure state into a supercritical fluid state.
(2) The supercritical fluid extraction section is composed of a sample extraction vessel and associated accessories. In this stage, the supercritical fluid extractant dissolves the target solute from the sample matrix. As the fluid circulates, the solute-laden fluid is separated from the sample matrix.
(3) The solute separation and adsorption section consists of a nozzle and an absorption tube. To separate the extracted solute from the supercritical fluid, both components pass through the nozzle, where a reduction in pressure and temperature returns them to standard temperature and pressure conditions. At this stage, the fluid volatilizes and is removed. The solute is adsorbed onto the surface of the porous packing material inside the absorption tube. By rinsing the absorption tube with an appropriate solvent, the solute can be eluted, collected, and prepared for subsequent applications.