Supercritical extraction by carbon dioxide is a separation process taking advantage of the fact that above the temperature of  31 °C carbon dioxide cannot be liquified by any further increases in pressure. In this supercritical state the dense gas gains a considerable solvent power that can be varied by changes in pressure and temperature.By reducing the pressure in the separator the solvent power of the gas drops steeply and the extract precipitates.Most extractions are run at a temperature of 40-60 °C and a pressure of 100-300 bar.

Advantages of carbon dioxide SCE
- gentle procesing of thermally labile substances
- no harmful residues of toxic solvents in the extract
- no ecologically harmful waste
- carbon dioxide is non-flamable,inexpensive,physiologically safe

Application of supercritical extraction

Food industry
- hop extracts
- decaffeination of coffee
- extraction of vegetable and animal fats and oils
- extraction of aromas and esences
- extraction of natural vitamines

Cosmetic industry
- oils and extracts from blossoms, leaves and roots

Chemical industry
- regeneration of catalysts and adsorbants
- extraction of organic compounds from aqeous solutions
- cristallization of sensitive substances


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