Supercritical fluid extraction

Patent · Tue Oct 18 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:7187338

Wai, C M; Laintz, K

A method is described for extracting metalloid and metal species from a solid or liquid material by exposing the material to a supercritical fluid solvent containing a chelating agent. The chelating agent forms chelates that are soluble in the supercritical fluid to allow removal of the species from the material. In preferred embodiments, the extraction solvent is supercritical carbon dioxide and the chelating agent is a fluorinated or lipophilic crown ether or fluorinated dithiocarbamate. The method provides an environmentally benign process for removing contaminants from industrial waste without using acids or biologically harmful solvents. The chelate and supercritical fluid can be regenerated, and the contaminant species recovered, to provide an economic, efficient process. 6 figs.

• Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc., Moscow, ID (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5356538; A
• Application Number: CNN: RII-8902065; PPN: US 7-781086
• OSTI ID: 7187338
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
CHELATING AGENTS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
EXTRACTION
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
MANAGEMENT
METALS
MIXTURES
PROCESS SOLUTIONS
PROCESSING
REGENERATION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUTIONS
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
SUPERCRITICAL GAS EXTRACTION
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES