Page 475 - Biosystems Engineering

CHAPTER 16

Supercritical

Fluid Extraction

Applications

for Biosystems

Engineering

Terry H. Walker
Biosystems Engineering
Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
Meidui Dong
Abengoa Bioenergy, St. Louis, Missouri

Paresh Patel
Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas

16.1 Introduction
There are growing concerns of health and environment problems
associated with the use of traditional solvent extraction techniques
employed in consumer products. Carbon dioxide is a potential extrac-
tion solvent alternative to the traditional organic solvents. Supercriti-
cal CO has advantages of low cost, nontoxicity, high diffusivities with
2
appreciable solubility, and low viscosity. Separating the solvent from
the extract is easily accomplished by reducing pressure and returning
CO to a gaseous state. The solvent can be recycled for further use.
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