Supercritical CO2 Extraction Closed-Loop System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) apparatuses require more power and have a larger physical footprint due to the use of gaseous CO2, which increases the time needed to reach extraction/separation temperatures and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A carbon dioxide supercritical fluid extraction apparatus that cycles CO2 through a closed-loop process, using a chiller heat exchanger to cool and condense CO2, a pump to transfer cooled liquid CO2 to an extraction vessel, and a separation vessel to precipitate extracted compounds, thereby reducing the time to reach desired temperatures and pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If gaseous CO2 is used in the extraction apparatus, then the extraction process can be performed, but the apparatus requires more power and has a larger physical footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of CO2 from gaseous to liquid form before pumping. By storing CO2 as a liquid at lower temperatures and higher pressures, then pumping it through heat exchangers to reach supercritical conditions, the system reduces the time and energy required to reach extraction parameters compared to starting with gaseous CO2
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cooling and condensation of CO2 into liquid form before the extraction process begins. The CO2 is pre-cooled in a chiller and stored as liquid in a reservoir, ready for rapid pumping into the extraction vessel, eliminating the need to heat and pressurize gaseous CO2 during operation
2Area of stationary object
If gaseous CO2 is used in the extraction apparatus, then the extraction process can be performed, but the apparatus has a larger physical footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of CO2 from gaseous to liquid form before pumping. By storing CO2 as a liquid at lower temperatures and higher pressures, then pumping it through heat exchangers to reach supercritical conditions, the system reduces the time and energy required to reach extraction parameters compared to starting with gaseous CO2
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using liquid CO2 instead of gaseous CO2. The liquid CO2 is pumped through the system using a liquid pump, allowing for more compact piping and vessel design compared to handling large volumes of gas, thereby reducing the overall physical footprint while maintaining extraction efficiency
3Loss of time
If gaseous CO2 is used in the extraction apparatus, then the extraction process can be performed, but the time required to reach desired extraction/separation temperatures and pressures is significantly longer
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling and condensation of CO2 into liquid form before the extraction process begins. The CO2 is pre-cooled in a chiller and stored as liquid in a reservoir, ready for rapid pumping into the extraction vessel, eliminating the need to heat and pressurize gaseous CO2 during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of CO2 between liquid, supercritical, and gaseous states. By cycling CO2 through these phase transitions using heat exchangers and pressure control, the system rapidly achieves supercritical conditions for extraction and then transitions to gaseous state for separation, reducing the time required compared to gradually heating and pressurizing gaseous CO2
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus achieves faster reaching of supercritical temperatures and pressures, reducing energy consumption and physical space requirements compared to traditional SFE systems, while maintaining efficient extraction and separation of compounds.
Implementation Method 1
a chiller heat exchanger to cool the carbon dioxide to a sufficient temperature and a sufficient pressure
Implementation Method 2
cool and condense CO2
Implementation Method 3
a pump to transfer cooled liquid CO2 to an extraction vessel
Implementation Method 4
a pump transfers the cooled liquid carbon dioxide through a heater to generate supercritical carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 5
generate supercritical temperatures and pressures
Implementation Method 6
the automated valve to deposit the supercritical carbon dioxide into the separation vessel wherein the supercritical carbon dioxide is decompressed to precipitate the one or more desired compounds
Implementation Method 7
decompressed to precipitate the one or more desired compounds from the carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 8
a refrigerant condensing unit to sufficiently cool the chiller heat exchanger using a conditioned refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A supercritical fluid extraction apparatus is disclosed, including an extraction vessel constructed and arranged to facilitate extraction of one or more desired compounds from a sample media, the separation vessel to permit the precipitation of the extracted compounds from the carbon dioxide stream, and to recirculate and recondition the carbon dioxide stream for continuous closed loop use.