Supercritical Fluids

In the Supercritical Fluids laboratory research and development of new applications of supercritical fluids or fluids at high pressures and temperatures is carried out. This includes extraction and concentration of natural products, polymer impregnation, CO2 transportation and sequestration and synthesis of new materials and catalysts. The laboratory is equipped with several high pressure reactors with different configurations and sizes, from 10 ml to 16 l; it also includes a pilot plant.

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Assigned personnel

 

 

 

 

Related research lines

materials_for_energy

co2_utilization

Materials for Energy

CO2 utilization

Available equipment

Equipment Description Features Main Applications  
100 ml HP reactor

Maximum pressure: 200 bar
Maximum temperature: 275C
Volume vessel: 100 ml (50 ml available)
High pressure lines: hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and spare line.

Homogenous catalysis
Heterogeneous catalysis
Carbon synthesis

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SCF 300 ml Plant

Maximum pressure: 227 bar
Maximum temperature: 400C
Volume Vessel: 300 ml
Temperature control by external jacket
Maximum CO2 flow: 1.8 l/h
Maximum cosolvents flow: 2 liters/min
Data logging by computer
Maximum agitation speed: 1500 rpm.

Synthesis of aerogels in different shapes
Micronization of chemicals Degrease of skin
Biological disinfections Encapsulation of CO2
Polymers impregnations Natural products extraction
Drug delivering systems.

hp_reactor_300ml

Supercritical Continuous Plant Maximum pressure: 250 bar
Maximum temperature: 150C
Number of vessels: 3
Vessel volume: 10 ml
Maximum CO2 flow: 5 l/min
Temperature control: external electrical furnace

Equipment designed to carry out experiments at laboratory scale using supercritical CO2, pure or mixed with cosolvents or additives.
10 ml mini-reactor allows to work with high value samples with a controlled flow of 1 to 3 l/min.
Impregnation of polymers Drug delivery systems Micro-extractions Polymerization Reactions.

scf_continuous_plant

Supercritical Pilot Plant

Maximum pressure: 500 bar
Maximum temperature: 400C
Number of Vessels: 4
Vessel volume: 16 liters (500 bar – 100C) agitated 2 liters (500 bar – 400 oC) 2 liters () agitated – sight glasses 1 liter (500 bar – 400C)
Heating capacity: 29500 W
Maximum CO2 flow: 40Kg/h
Maximum cosolvents flow: 2 liters/min Computer control
Environmental protection by activated carbon column
Sampling at supercritical conditions.

Pilot plant prepared to reach pressures and temperatures up to 500bar and 400oC.
Flexible configuration of vessels of several volumes in series and two pumps, allows carrying out a wide range of experiments with SCCO2.
Synthesis of aerogels in different shapes.
Micronization of chemicals. Degreasing of leather. Biological disinfections. Encapsulation of CO2. Impregnation of polymers.
Extraction of natural products Drug delivery systems.

scf_pilot_plant

SCF View Cell Thar Maximum pressure: 410 bar
Temperature range: ambient to 150C
Volume range: 5 to 20 ml
Sample homogenization by agitation CCD camera connected to computer for video capture.
Pumping system: 1-50 g CO2/min
Mixer

Variable volume vessel with three sight glasses, designed to determinate the phase equilibrium of a mixture of two or more components at constant pressure, volume or mass.
Through the sight glass is possible to film how phases inside the reactor evolve at different pressures and temperature.
Phase equilibrium analyzer Measure of solubility in CO2 and other solvents under pressure.
Interaction analysis between polymers and CO2.

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SCF 100 ml mini reactor

TMaximum pressure: 200 bar.
Maximum temperature: 205C (it could be modified up to 315C).
Volume vessel: 100 ml.
Agitator: Inline MagneDrive III.
Max speed: 3000 rpm.
Pumping system: Dual pump ISCO 260D.
Max rate pressure: 518 bar.
Flow range: 0.01μl to 25 ml/min.
Flow rate accuracy: 0.3%

Small high pressure –Medium temperatures reactor.
Easy to use, thanks to special self sealing closure system.
Allowing closing the reactor, just tightening by hand. Several accessories like nozzles, high pressure internal/external filters & sample holder can be mounted, allowing running a wide range of SCF techniques. Synthesis of aerogels in different shapes.
Micronization of chemicals Degrease of skin Biological disinfections Encapsulation of CO2 Polymers impregnations Natural products extraction Drug delivering systems.

sfc_100ml_minireactor

View Cell - Supercritical Maximum pressure: 300 bar.
Temperature range: -40 to 100C.
Volume range: 20 to 50 ml.
Sample homogenization by agitation at bottom and liquid phase recirculation.
Sight glass length: 220 mm – the whole internal volume.
Number of pumps: 3 Isco syringe pump (compressed gases), Jasco micropiston pump (atmospheric liquids), Micropump high pressure recirculating pump.

Variable volume vessel with two transparent walls designed to determinate the phase equilibrium of a mixture of two or more components at constant pressure, volume or mass.
Through the sight glass is possible to see when a solid precipitates, if the mixture is homogenous, the degree of mixing and other design parameters. Phase equilibrium analyzer Measure of solubility in CO2 and other solvents under pressure.

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