Supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extraction is a highly efficient and versatile method for the extraction and fractionation of natural materials. The continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction process is a modification of the conventional SC-CO2 extraction process that allows for the simultaneous extraction and separation of different compounds within the same material. This process is highly efficient and can be used for a wide range of applications in various industries, such as food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This article will present an overview of the principles, procedures, and advantages of continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction and fractionation of natural materials, with a focus on its potential applications and efficiency.
Principles of Continuous Countercurrent SC-CO2 Extraction
The continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction process utilizes CO2 as a solvent under high pressure and temperature conditions. The process involves the use of multiple extraction vessels that are arranged in a countercurrent fashion, allowing for the extraction and separation of different compounds within the same material. The extracted material is subjected to a series of countercurrent extractions and separations, which allows for the efficient removal of specific compounds. This process is highly efficient and offers several advantages over conventional SC-CO2 extraction methods.
Procedures of Continuous Countercurrent SC-CO2 Extraction and Fractionation of Natural Materials
The continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction process involves several critical steps, as summarized in Table 1 below.
Summary of continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction and fractionation procedures
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pre-treatment of natural material to remove any impurities |
| 2 | Loading the treated material into the extraction system |
| 3 | Introduction of SC-CO2 into the extraction system to achieve the desired pressure and temperature conditions |
| 4 | Continuous countercurrent extraction and separation of different compounds within the material |
| 5 | Collection, analysis, and characterization of the extracted fractions |
Advantages of Continuous Countercurrent SC-CO2 Extraction and Fractionation of Natural Materials
Continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction offers several advantages over conventional SC-CO2 extraction methods. Firstly, it is a highly efficient method that allows for the simultaneous extraction and separation of different compounds within the same material. Secondly, it is a continuous process that reduces the time and energy required for extraction and separation. Thirdly, it yields high-quality extracts with excellent sensory properties. Finally, it utilizes a non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and reusable solvent that reduces the risk of environmental pollution and health hazards.
Applications of Continuous Countercurrent SC-CO2 Extraction and Fractionation of Natural Materials
Continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction and fractionation of natural materials has many potential applications in various industries. In the food industry, it can be used for the extraction of flavor and aroma compounds, essential oils, and antioxidants from plant materials such as spices, herbs, and fruits. In the pharmaceutical industry, it can be used for the extraction and separation of active pharmaceutical ingredients from natural materials such as plants and marine organisms. In the cosmetic industry, it can be used for the extraction and separation of bioactive compounds from natural materials such as fruits and flowers.
Efficiency of Continuous Countercurrent SC-CO2 Extraction and Fractionation of Natural Materials (H3)
Continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction and fractionation of natural materials is a highly efficient method that offers several advantages over conventional extraction methods. Firstly, it allows for the simultaneous extraction and separation of different compounds within the same material, reducing the time and energy required for extraction and separation. Secondly, it utilizes a non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and reusable solvent that reduces the risk of environmental pollution and health hazards associated with traditional extraction methods. Finally, it yields high-quality extracts with excellent sensory properties, making it a valuable and versatile method for the extraction and fractionation of natural materials.
Conclusion
Continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction and fractionation of natural materials is a versatile and efficient method for the extraction and separation of different compounds within the same material. It is a continuous process that yields high-quality extracts with excellent sensory properties. With its wide range of applications in various industries, this method is becoming increasingly important for meeting the increasing demand for natural and sustainable products. The use of renewable and eco-friendly extraction methods such as continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction will be increasingly important for achieving sustainable and efficient production processes.
Advantages of Continuous Countercurrent SC-CO2 Extraction and Fractionation of Natural Materials
Continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction and fractionation of natural materials offers several advantages, as listed below:
- Simultaneous extraction and separation of different compounds within the same material
- Continuous process that reduces time and energy required for extraction and separation
- High-quality extracts with excellent sensory properties
- Non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and reusable solvent
- Reduced risk of environmental pollution and health hazards associated with traditional extraction methods
- Versatile method with potential applications in various industries
- Efficient extraction and fractionation of natural materials
CO2 extraction process
As a green technology, the supercritical CO2 extraction process has been widely used in the extraction and separation of active ingredients of natural products. The industrial-scale annual production capacity ranges from hundreds of tons to tens of thousands of tons.
However, the conventional supercritical CO2 extraction has only one-stage separation in theory. When separating and purifying liquid mixtures, the efficiency is very low.It is especially difficult to separate and purify the components in the mixture with small differences in properties.
Supercritical Fluid Fractionation SFF
The supercritical CO2 countercurrent extraction technology ( Supercritical Fluid Fractionation SFF) uses the raw material components in the extraction tower to undergo multiple differential contact extractions with CO2, and through multi-stage separation, the separation and purification of components with small differences in properties is achieved.
However, continuous supercritical CO2 countercurrent extraction ( Supercritical Fluid Fractionation SFF) technology lags far behind the development of supercritical CO2 extraction technology.
This article introduces the research status of supercritical CO2 countercurrent extraction ( Supercritical Fluid Fractionation SFF) technology, and reports on the industrial scale continuous supercritical CO2 countercurrent extraction technology to concentrate pepper pigments.
As a result, the application prospect of this technology in the separation and purification of ginger oil, lemon oil, citrus oil and other spices is also prospected.
CO2 countercurrent extraction process
Continuous countercurrent supercritical CO2 extraction (Continuous countercurrent supercritical CO2 extraction, CC-SCE) is an effective way to achieve continuous operation of liquid materials.
Process
The countercurrent extraction process carried out in the tower equipment is the differential contact extraction process, and the CO2 phase fills the entire tower.
In the continuous phase, the raw materials are distributed in the continuous phase in the form of droplets, which is the dispersed phase. The CO2 phase is added at the bottom of the tower and led out from the top of the tower; the raw materials enter from the top or side of the tower, and the raffinate is collected from the bottom of the tower.
The two phases flow countercurrently along the axis of the tower, and the supercritical CO2 is transferred to the liquid material. At the same time, in the presence of a temperature gradient, the solute can form an internal reflux, just like distillation. After a multi-stage equilibrium of dissolution-precipitation-dissolution, the solute will enter the separator with CO2 from the top of the tower for separation and collection. Feeding and discharging are automatically controlled by high-pressure pumps and valves.
Features
The continuous operation of the extraction process greatly increases the processing capacity of the equipment, reduces process energy and gas consumption, and reduces production costs; in addition, materials and supercritical CO2 pass through the packing in the tower Or the trays are used for mass transfer, and the number of theoretical trays is high, which can effectively separate and purify the mixed liquid with small separation factor and difficult to separate.
CO2 extraction process of pepper pigment
CO2 extraction process
The pilot test is based on capsicum pigment with a color value of 24000 as the raw material, the countercurrent extraction tower is 6 meters high, the raw material feed rate varies between 500-1000g/h, the CO2 flow rate is set to 20-60kg/hr, and the temperature distribution It is 35-50℃, and the pressure is 25-32MPa.
The increase in pressure and CO2 flow rate are beneficial to improve the color gradation.
Industrial extraction
Industrial scale test resultsOn the basis of the pilot test, a set of industrial-scale continuous supercritical CO2 countercurrent extraction device was established.
The annual processing capacity of pepper pigment is 600 tons, the color price of pepper pigment is 24,000, and the CO2 flow rate is 30000 M3/h M2, and the pressure is Under 36MPa, the color price of pepper pigment increased by more than 6 times, up to 150,000.
CO2 extraction process VS CO2 fractionation
Compared with the results of supercritical CO2 extraction, under the same volume of autoclave and processing capacity, the countercurrent treatment time is only half of the traditional treatment time, and the color value concentration factor of the countercurrent extraction product is much greater than that of the first stage extraction.
It can be seen that the countercurrent extraction process greatly improves the production efficiency of the equipment, reduces the production cost, and has high practical value.
Prospects
Application value
The supercritical CO2 countercurrent extraction technology has important application value in the separation, concentration and purification of liquid materials.
Application prospect
It has achieved good results in the separation and purification of ginger oil, lemon oil, citrus oil and other spices. It has a wide application prospect.
This technology can not only separate Concentrate and purify natural fragrances, plant essential oils, natural pigments, fish oil actives, natural VE and other natural active heat-sensitive materials, and have important practical significance for decolorizing, deodorizing, removing residual solvents, and removing pesticide residues of liquid materials.
Overall, continuous countercurrent SC-CO2 extraction and fractionation is a promising method for the sustainable and efficient extraction of natural materials. Its wide range of applications and efficiency make it an attractive option for industries that require high-quality extracts and sustainable production processes.