Supercritical CO2 Fluid Extraction Device with 50MPa Pressure for Pharmaceutical & Food Industries

The separation mechanism of supercritical CO2 fluid extraction (SFE) relies on the correlation between supercritical fluid solubility and density, which is regulated by pressure and temperature. In a supercritical state, the fluid interacts with target substances, enabling sequential, selective extraction of components based on polarity, boiling point, and molecular weight. Extracts from each pressure range are not single pure components, but precise condition control allows for optimal mixed-component ratios. By reducing pressure and increasing temperature, supercritical CO2 reverts to a gaseous state, causing extracted materials to fully or nearly precipitate—making this an integrated extraction and separation process.

The supercritical CO2 system integrates key components including an extraction vessel, separation vessel, CO2 high-pressure pump, entrainer pump, refrigeration system, CO2 storage tank, heat exchange system, purification system, flow meter, temperature control system, pressure control and monitoring system, touchscreen PLC control and data acquisition system, and safety protection devices.

The unique properties of supercritical CO2 extraction enable its wide-ranging deployment across multiple sectors. In pharmaceuticals, it supports extraction of active components from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, refining of heat-sensitive biopharmaceuticals, and separation of lipid mixtures. In food processing, it is used for hop extraction and pigment extraction. In the fragrance industry, it facilitates refining of natural and synthetic fragrances, while in chemical manufacturing, it enables mixture separation. Specific use cases include the following:

1. Extraction of bioactive molecules from medicinal plants, as well as isolation and purification of alkaloids;

2. Recovery of lipids from diverse microorganisms, or removal of lipids from glycosides and proteins;

3. Extraction of anti-cancer compounds from various plants, particularly paclitaxel from yew bark, branches, and leaves for cancer prevention and treatment;

4. Extraction of vitamins, with a primary focus on vitamin E;

5. Purification of natural and synthetic active substances by eliminating unwanted molecules (e.g., pesticide residues from vegetable extracts) or impurities to yield refined end products;

6. Processing of natural antibacterial and antioxidant extracts derived from sources including basil, thyme, garlic, onion, chamomile, paprika, licorice, and fennel seeds;