Supercritical separation process for complex organic mixtures

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:867567

Chum, Helena L ^[1]; Filardo, Giuseppe ^[2]

---

1. Arvada, CO
2. Palermo, IT

A process is disclosed for separating low molecular weight components from complex aqueous organic mixtures. The process includes preparing a separation solution of supercritical carbon dioxide with an effective amount of an entrainer to modify the solvation power of the supercritical carbon dioxide and extract preselected low molecular weight components. The separation solution is maintained at a temperature of at least about 70.degree. C. and a pressure of at least about 1,500 psi. The separation solution is then contacted with the organic mixtures while maintaining the temperature and pressure as above until the mixtures and solution reach equilibrium to extract the preselected low molecular weight components from the organic mixtures. Finally, the entrainer/extracted components portion of the equilibrium mixture is isolated from the separation solution.

• Research Organization: Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• Assignee: Midwest Research Institute (Kansas City, MO)
• Patent Number(s): US 4964995
• OSTI ID: 867567
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

supercritical
separation
process
complex
organic
mixtures
disclosed
separating
molecular
weight
components
aqueous
preparing
solution
carbon
dioxide
effective
amount
entrainer
modify
solvation
power
extract
preselected
maintained
temperature
70
degree
pressure
500
psi
contacted
maintaining
reach
equilibrium
finally
extracted
portion
mixture
isolated
supercritical carbon
effective amount
separation process
carbon dioxide
molecular weight
aqueous organic
organic mixtures
complex organic
organic mixture
/210/162/203/