Solving process problems with supercritical fluid extraction

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · CHEMTECH; (United States)

OSTI ID:5577186

Via, J; Taylor, L T ^[1]

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1. Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA (United States)

Many separations cannot be achieved with use of conventional methods. Sometimes a desired solvent isn't strong or selective enough, or it may be difficult to remove after the separation. Also, as a result of the Montreal Protocol, many traditional solvents will be banned by 1995. Fortunately, the past decade has seen a revolution in the use of supercritical fluids (SCFs), which may be able to solve many difficult separation problems. One of the first uses of SCFs, particularly CO[sub 2], was in chromatography where it was used to separate nonvolatile mixtures. Recently, more emphasis has been placed on using this technology for analytical and bulk extractions. This paper discusses the ABC's of supercritical fluid extraction and its use for fractionating polymers, selective removal of materials, and soil remediation.

• OSTI ID: 5577186
• Journal Information: CHEMTECH; (United States), Vol. 23:11; ISSN 0009-2703
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
SUPERCRITICAL GAS EXTRACTION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
CARBON DIOXIDE
FRACTIONATION
GEL PERMEATION CHROMATOGRAPHY
POLYMERS
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHROMATOGRAPHY
EXTRACTION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
400105* - Separation Procedures
320303 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes
540250 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (1990-)