Supercritical CO2 Lipid Extraction from Plant Matrices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting lipids from plants and oil seeds, such as freeze drying, result in structural damage, loss of aroma, and reduced shelf stability due to the retention of unremoved waxes and lipids, leading to rancidity and discoloration in the final products.
Innovation Solution
A closed-system extraction process using liquefied gas to gently remove lipids and waxes, maintaining the integrity of the organic matrix and avoiding high heat, pressure, and oxygen exposure, which allows for the production of high-quality, shelf-stable oils and defatted products with retained nutritional content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If freeze drying is used to remove lipids from plants and oil seeds, then the drying process can be completed, but the structural integrity is damaged and aromatic body is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses supercritical carbon dioxide to selectively extract lipids and waxes from the plant material. The supercritical fluid penetrates the matrix and dissolves the unwanted lipids, which are then removed by depressurization. This extraction method removes only the target substances while leaving the structural components and aromatic compounds intact, resolving the contradiction between lipid removal efficiency and structural integrity preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction process occurs in a closed system using supercritical carbon dioxide, which creates an inert atmosphere that prevents oxidation and degradation of the plant material. This inert environment protects the aromatic body and structural integrity during the lipid removal process, while still achieving complete lipid extraction.
2Productivity
If high heat or high pressure is applied during extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but nutritional content and aromatic body are destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique properties of carbon dioxide at supercritical conditions (temperature above 31.1°C and pressure above 73.8 atm). By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves high extraction efficiency while maintaining conditions that preserve nutritional content and aromatic body. The supercritical state allows for enhanced solubility and mass transfer without the extreme conditions that would cause degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The process exploits the phase transition of carbon dioxide between supercritical and gaseous states. During extraction, CO2 is maintained in the supercritical phase for high solubility and penetration. After extraction, simple depressurization causes the CO2 to transition to a gaseous state, automatically separating from the extracted materials without requiring high heat or additional processing that would destroy nutrients and aromatics.
3Manufacturing precision
If chemical refining, bleaching, deodorizing, or stripping is applied to the extracted oil, then oil purity is improved, but natural color bodies and aromatic body are removed
Solution Approach 1:
The supercritical carbon dioxide extraction process inherently produces high-purity oil without requiring subsequent chemical refining, bleaching, deodorizing, or stripping. The selective solubility of supercritical CO2 and its automatic separation upon depressurization naturally leave the oil free of solvent residues and contaminants. This self-service approach maintains natural color bodies and aromatic body while achieving the required purity levels.
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 process produces superior products with extended shelf life, retaining fresh aromatic body, color, and flavor, while ensuring minimal residual oil content and maintaining the structural integrity of the dry fraction, resulting in more stable and marketable co-products.
Implementation Method 1
a closed system having an extractor vessel retaining the organic matrix while a liquefied gas passes through the vessel
Implementation Method 2
the liquefied gas is capable of flowing in a forward and or reverse direction... oils and waxes, and or water from the commodity move from the solid organic matrix into the hydrocarbon liquid stream
Implementation Method 3
In order to fully remove oxygen from the system, a vacuum is then pulled and maintained throughout extraction system
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method to remove lipids from cellular matrices such as but not limited to starches, sugars, proteins, fibers, and so forth, from a wide variety of oil bearing agricultural, edible, botanical, herbal commodities and combinations thereof that provides a superior oil product and also superior shelf stable dried plant and or seed defatted product that may utilize a closed system with a storage vessel, extraction vessel, primary separator, a secondary separator and so forth.