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The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical and Molecular Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2017) | Viewed by 71147

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Guest Editor
Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Rua Conselheiro Emídio Navarro, 1, 1959-007 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: chemical engineering; supercritical fluids; antioxidants; thermodynamics; modelling; food technology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Supercritical-fluid-based knowledge is involved in a wide-ranging diversity of industrial applications, which have shown a notable evolution in recent years. Although water and others supercritical solvents, such as methanol, ethanol, propane, and ethane, have increase their importance in emblematic fields of application to various industrial sectors, the use of supercritical CO2 (Tc = 31 °C, Pc = 74 bar) as an extraction solvent for natural products is the oldest and most established process on an industrial scale, with notable applications in the food industry.

The strong variation of the solvation power of CO2, which arises by varying operating conditions (temperature and pressure), is the basic principle of this technique. This allows to selectively extract molecules according to their chemical natures. CO2 is an excellent solvent of nonpolar or small polar molecules in supercritical conditions. Moreover, the use of a polar co-solvent can extend the supercritical power extraction of CO2 to obtain more polar compounds.  In principle, different materials, such as plants, wood, and plastics, can be submitted to supercritical fluid extraction in order to recover valuable compounds (essential oils, oils, pigments, etc.) or undesired constituents (pollutants, residual solvents, etc.).

Supercritical-fluid-based developments include extraction, impregnation, formulation, particle formation, sterilization, cleaning, chemical reactions, energy, and waste treatment, among others. In all circumstances, the supercritical fluid is used as an alternative to traditional organic liquid solvents, and, in many processes, with the use of supercritical CO2, it is possible to significantly eliminate or decrease solvent residues, contributing to environmentally-friendly chemical routes and technical innovations to achieve green chemical processes.

Prof. Jose Augusto Paixao Coelho
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Supercritical CO2
  • Solubility
  • Volatile oils
  • Oils
  • Antioxidant activity
  • Biological activities
  • Solid solubility correlation
  • Modelling
  • Applications of Supercritical CO2

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 10520 KiB  
Article
Comparison of CO2 Flow Behavior through Intact Siltstone Sample under Tri-Axial Steady-State and Transient Flow Conditions
by Chengpeng Zhang, Ranjith Pathegama Gamage and Mandadige Samintha Anne Perera
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(7), 1092; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8071092 - 5 Jul 2018
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2935
Abstract
With its low viscosity properties, CO2 has much greater penetration capacity into micro-fractures, and therefore has more potential to create expanded and effective fractures in shales during the hydraulic fracturing process. However, the feasibility of this technique is dependent on the accurate [...] Read more.
With its low viscosity properties, CO2 has much greater penetration capacity into micro-fractures, and therefore has more potential to create expanded and effective fractures in shales during the hydraulic fracturing process. However, the feasibility of this technique is dependent on the accurate prediction of formation flow characteristics, given the high leak-off of CO2 at deep depths. The aim of this study is therefore to understand the flow behavior of CO2 in deep shale plays. A series of tri-axial permeability tests was conducted under both steady-state and transient conditions. The test results show much lower permeability values for liquid CO2 than gaseous CO2, and the permeability under transient conditions is much lower than that under steady-state conditions, due to the combined effects of the reduced slip-flow effect under low pressures and the temperature variation influence under steady-state conditions. Under steady-state conditions, unstable flow behavior occurred at higher injection pressure (≥9 MPa) possibly due to the fine mineral particle migration and the deposition of small drikold particles, which indicates the serious error in permeability calculation under steady-state conditions. Importantly, a greater than 1 effective stress coefficient (χ) for permeability in tested siltstone was observed, confirming the greater sensitivity of CO2 to pore pressure than confining pressure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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14 pages, 2157 KiB  
Article
Supercritical Regeneration of an Activated Carbon Fiber Exhausted with Phenol
by M. Jesus Sanchez-Montero, Jennifer Pelaz, Nicolas Martin-Sanchez, Carmen Izquierdo and Francisco Salvador
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8010081 - 9 Jan 2018
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4482
Abstract
The properties of supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) and supercritical water (SCW) turn them into fluids with a great ability to remove organic adsorbates retained on solids. These properties were used herein to regenerate an activated carbon fiber (ACF) saturated with a [...] Read more.
The properties of supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) and supercritical water (SCW) turn them into fluids with a great ability to remove organic adsorbates retained on solids. These properties were used herein to regenerate an activated carbon fiber (ACF) saturated with a pollutant usually contained in wastewater and drinking water, phenol. Severe regeneration conditions, up to 225 bar and 400 °C, had to be employed in SCCO2 regeneration to break the strong interaction established between phenol and the ACF. Under suitable conditions (regeneration temperature, time, and pressure, and flow of SCCO2) the adsorption capacity of the exhausted ACF was completely recovered, and even slightly increased. Most of the retained phenol was removed by thermal desorption, but the extra percentage removed by extraction allowed SCCO2 regeneration to be significantly more efficient than the classical thermal regeneration methods. SCCO2 regeneration and SCW regeneration were also compared for the first time. The use of SCW slightly improved regeneration, although SCW pressure was thrice SCCO2 pressure. The pathways that controlled SCW regeneration were also investigated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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7345 KiB  
Article
Characterizing the Dissolution Rate of CO2-Brine in Porous Media under Gaseous and Supercritical Conditions
by Bohao Wu, Xingbo Li, Ying Teng, Pengfei Lv, Yu Liu, Tingting Luo, Jianan Zheng, Dayong Wang and Lanlan Jiang
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8010004 - 21 Dec 2017
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3976
Abstract
The CO2-brine dissolution homogenizes the distribution of residual CO2 and reduces the leakage risk in the saline aquifer. As a key parameter to immobilize the free CO2, the dissolution rate of CO2-brine could be accelerated through [...] Read more.
The CO2-brine dissolution homogenizes the distribution of residual CO2 and reduces the leakage risk in the saline aquifer. As a key parameter to immobilize the free CO2, the dissolution rate of CO2-brine could be accelerated through mechanisms like diffusion and dispersion, which are affected by the subsurface condition, pore structure, and background hydrological flow. This study contributed the calculated dissolution rates of both gaseous and supercritical CO2 during brine imbibition at a pore-scale. The flow development and distribution in porous media during dynamic dissolution were imaged in two-dimensional visualization using X-ray microtomography. The fingerings branching and expansion resulted in greater dissolution rates of supercritical CO2 with high contact between phases, while the brine bypassed the clusters of gaseous CO2 with a slower dissolution and longer duration due to the isolated bubbles. The dissolution rate of supercritical CO2 was about two or three orders of magnitude greater than that of gaseous CO2, while the value distributions both spanned about four orders of magnitude. The dissolution rates of gaseous CO2 increased with porosity, but the relationship was the opposite for supercritical CO2. CO2 saturation and the Reynolds number were analyzed to characterize the different impacts on gaseous and supercritical CO2 at different dissolution periods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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4035 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Convective Heat Transfer of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide at Low Mass Fluxes
by Xianliang Lei, Qian Zhang, Jun Zhang and Huixiong Li
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(12), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7121260 - 4 Dec 2017
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5305
Abstract
Significant differences in the heat transfer behaviors of supercritical carbon dioxide in a heated channel have been observed at different mass fluxes. At low mass fluxes, a unique heat transfer characteristic is accompanied by a monotonously smooth temperature variation without any temperature peak, [...] Read more.
Significant differences in the heat transfer behaviors of supercritical carbon dioxide in a heated channel have been observed at different mass fluxes. At low mass fluxes, a unique heat transfer characteristic is accompanied by a monotonously smooth temperature variation without any temperature peak, even though the ratio of heat flux to mass flux (q/G) is high. In this study, experimental and numerical investigations explore the hidden mechanism of the peculiar heat transfer characteristics of supercritical carbon dioxide at low mass fluxes in vertically upward tubes with inside diameters (ID) of 5 mm. The range of operating conditions examined within the study include a mass flux (G) between 0–200 kg/m2s, and a heat flux (q) of up to 120 kW/m2. The parametric effects within these experimental conditions were analyzed on the basis of the obtained heat transfer data. Furthermore, a qualitative modeling force analysis and quantitative numerical simulation of vertical flow at low mass flux reveal the heat transfer mechanism for these temperature profiles. In addition, the distribution of flow parameters and thermo-physical properties (such as shear stress, density, and specific heat) in the near-wall region were also studied. It is found that the heat transfer behavior of supercritical CO2 at low mass flux is similar to “film boiling” at subcritical pressure, where “vapor-like” fluid occupies the sublayer region. Due to reduced buoyancy, the fluid does not cause enough mixing/instability to bring it to the bulk flow. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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7661 KiB  
Article
Qualitative and Quantitative Changes of Carbonate Rocks Exposed to SC CO2 (Basque-Cantabrian Basin, Northern Spain)
by Edgar Berrezueta, Timea Kovacs and Linda Luquot
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(11), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7111124 - 1 Nov 2017
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5793
Abstract
This study aims at the qualitative and quantitative determination of porosity, mineralogical and textural changes in carbonate rock samples after injection of (i) supercritical CO2-rich brine and (ii) dry supercritical CO2, under similar experimental conditions (P ≈ 75 [...] Read more.
This study aims at the qualitative and quantitative determination of porosity, mineralogical and textural changes in carbonate rock samples after injection of (i) supercritical CO2-rich brine and (ii) dry supercritical CO2, under similar experimental conditions (P ≈ 75 bar, T ≈ 35 °C, 970 h exposure time and no CO2 flow). The studied rocks were sampled in the western Basque-Cantabrian Basin, North Spain, and consist of vuggy carbonates (“Carniolas”) of the Puerto de la Palombera formation (Hettangian). Mineralogical and pore space characterization is completed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and optical image analysis. In addition, X-ray fluorescence analyses are performed to refine the mineralogical information and to obtain whole rock geochemical data and the brine composition is analysed before and after the experiment. Mineralogical and chemical results indicate that the carbonate rocks exposed to supercritical CO2 in dry conditions do not suffer significant changes. However, the injection of supercritical CO2-rich brine induces chemical and physical changes in the rock due to the high reactivity of calcite at the low pH conditions produced by the acidified brine. Numerical modelling validates the experimental observations. These results can be used to characterize the behaviour of carbonate rocks under conditions similar to the vicinity of a CO2 injection well. The results should be considered only at the scale of the studied samples and not at reservoir scale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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3136 KiB  
Article
Changes in Pore Structure of Coal Associated with Sc-CO2 Extraction during CO2-ECBM
by Run Chen, Yong Qin, Chongtao Wei, Linlin Wang, Youyang Wang and Pengfei Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(9), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7090931 - 10 Sep 2017
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4667
Abstract
Supercritical CO2 (Sc-CO2), a supercritical solvent, can extract small organic molecules (fluid) from coal, changing pore structures to affect gases storage and migration in the coal matrix. Five undeformed coals before and after the second coalification jump were collected to [...] Read more.
Supercritical CO2 (Sc-CO2), a supercritical solvent, can extract small organic molecules (fluid) from coal, changing pore structures to affect gases storage and migration in the coal matrix. Five undeformed coals before and after the second coalification jump were collected to simulate Sc-CO2 extraction performed with supercritical extraction equipment. Pore structures of the samples before and after Sc-CO2 extraction were characterized using mercury porosimetry. The results show that there are significant changes in pore size distribution of samples. ΔVMa and ΔVMe of coal samples are positive, ΔVTr and ΔVMi are positive for most coals, and ΔVMi of higher coals are negative; the ΔSMa and ΔSMe are positive with small values, the ΔSTr and ΔSMi are positive and negative before and after the second coalification jump; thus, the pore connectivity is improved. These results indicate that Sc-CO2 extraction not only increases the numbers of micropores, but also enlarges the pore diameter size; these changes in the pore structure are influenced by the second coalification. The changes in the pore structure by Sc-CO2 extraction provide more spaces for gas storage and may improve the pore throats for gas migration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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4219 KiB  
Article
Effects of Nozzle Configuration on Rock Erosion Under a Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Jet at Various Pressures and Temperatures
by Man Huang, Yong Kang, Xiaochuan Wang, Yi Hu, Deng Li, Can Cai and Feng Chen
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(6), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7060606 - 12 Jun 2017
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6635
Abstract
The supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) jet offers many advantages over water jets in the field of oil and gas exploration and development. To take better advantage of the SC-CO2 jet, effects of nozzle configuration on rock erosion characteristics were experimentally [...] Read more.
The supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) jet offers many advantages over water jets in the field of oil and gas exploration and development. To take better advantage of the SC-CO2 jet, effects of nozzle configuration on rock erosion characteristics were experimentally investigated with respect to the erosion volume. A convergent nozzle and two Laval nozzles, as well as artificial cores were employed in the experiments. It was found that the Laval nozzle can enhance rock erosion ability, which largely depends on the pressure and temperature conditions. The enhancement increases with rising inlet pressure. Compared with the convergent nozzle, the Laval-1 nozzle maximally enhances the erosion volume by 10%, 21.2% and 30.3% at inlet pressures of 30, 40 and 50 MPa, respectively; while the Laval-2 nozzle maximally increases the erosion volume by 32.5%, 49.2% and 60%. Moreover, the enhancement decreases with increasing ambient pressure under constant inlet pressure or constant pressure drop. The growth of fluid temperature above the critical value can increase the enhancement. In addition, the jet from the Laval-2 nozzle with a smooth inner profile always has a greater erosion ability than that from the Laval-1 nozzle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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5269 KiB  
Article
The Use of the Surface Roughness Value to Quantify the Extent of Supercritical CO2 Involved Geochemical Reaction at a CO2 Sequestration Site
by Jinyoung Park, Kyoungbae Baek, Minhee Lee, Chul-Woo Chung and Sookyun Wang
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(6), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7060572 - 2 Jun 2017
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4307
Abstract
Changes in the physical properties of the supercritical CO2 (scCO2) reservoir rock is one of the most important factors in controlling the storage safety at a scCO2 sequestration site. According to recent studies, it is probable that geochemical reactions [...] Read more.
Changes in the physical properties of the supercritical CO2 (scCO2) reservoir rock is one of the most important factors in controlling the storage safety at a scCO2 sequestration site. According to recent studies, it is probable that geochemical reactions influence changes in the rock properties after a CO2 injection in the subsurface, but quantitative data that reveal the interrelationship of the factors involved and the parameters needed to evaluate the extent of scCO2-rock-groundwater reactions have not yet been presented. In this study, the potential for employing the surface roughness value (SRRMS) to quantify the extent of the scCO2 involved reaction was evaluated by lab-scale experiments. For a total of 150 days of a simulation of the scCO2-sandstone-groundwater reaction at 100 bar and 50 °C, the trends in changes in the physical rock properties, pH change, and cation concentration change followed similar logarithmic patterns that were significantly correlated with the logarithmic increase in the SRRMS value. These findings suggest that changes in surface roughness can quantify the extent of the geochemical weathering process and can be used to evaluate leakage safety due to the progressive changes in rock properties at scCO2 storage sites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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1035 KiB  
Article
A Simplified Method to Estimate Sc-CO2 Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Different Matrices: Chili Pepper vs. Tomato By-Products
by Francesca Venturi, Chiara Sanmartin, Isabella Taglieri, Gianpaolo Andrich and Angela Zinnai
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(4), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7040361 - 5 Apr 2017
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5198
Abstract
In the last few decades, the search for bioactive compounds or “target molecules” from natural sources or their by-products has become the most important application of the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process. In this context, the present research had two main objectives: (i) [...] Read more.
In the last few decades, the search for bioactive compounds or “target molecules” from natural sources or their by-products has become the most important application of the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process. In this context, the present research had two main objectives: (i) to verify the effectiveness of a two-step SFE process (namely, a preliminary Sc-CO2 extraction of carotenoids followed by the recovery of polyphenols by ethanol coupled with Sc-CO2) in order to obtain bioactive extracts from two widespread different matrices (chili pepper and tomato by-products), and (ii) to test the validity of the mathematical model proposed to describe the kinetics of SFE of carotenoids from different matrices, the knowledge of which is required also for the definition of the role played in the extraction process by the characteristics of the sample matrix. On the basis of the results obtained, it was possible to introduce a simplified kinetic model that was able to describe the time evolution of the extraction of bioactive compounds (mainly carotenoids and phenols) from different substrates. In particular, while both chili pepper and tomato were confirmed to be good sources of bioactive antioxidant compounds, the extraction process from chili pepper was faster than from tomato under identical operating conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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1732 KiB  
Article
The Application of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Ethanol for the Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Chokeberry Pomace
by Łukasz Woźniak, Krystian Marszałek, Sylwia Skąpska and Renata Jędrzejczak
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(4), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7040322 - 25 Mar 2017
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5280
Abstract
Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot) is a fruit with exceptionally high levels of phenolic compounds which are accumulated mainly in the peel; hence, the majority remains in the leftovers after juice production. Extraction with the use of carbon dioxide in supercritical conditions [...] Read more.
Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot) is a fruit with exceptionally high levels of phenolic compounds which are accumulated mainly in the peel; hence, the majority remains in the leftovers after juice production. Extraction with the use of carbon dioxide in supercritical conditions was used to isolate phenolic compounds from the pomace. The effect of the process parameters (temperature; pressure; and the addition of ethanol) on the extraction yields and properties of the extracts was investigated. The anthocyanin and total phenolic compound content, as well as the scavenging activity against five selected radicals, were evaluated. The best results were acquired for 35 °C, 10 MPa, and 80% m/m ethanol addition, the yield of phenolic compounds was 1.52 g per 100 g of pomace. The amount of extracted phenolics and the antioxidative attributes of the extracts were highly correlated. The impact of supercritical carbon dioxide density on the amount of recovered compounds was confirmed. The use of supercritical CO2 led to a significant reduction in the volume of organic solvent required for extraction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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19162 KiB  
Article
Investigation on Unsteady Flow Characteristics of a SCO2 Centrifugal Compressor
by Yuqi Wang, Dongbo Shi, Di Zhang and Yonghui Xie
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(4), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7040310 - 23 Mar 2017
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 6947
Abstract
Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) is a vital working fluid in the application of power units and its high density helps to achieve a compact mechanical structure. Centrifugal compressors are of vital use in various kinds of equipment. In this paper, a [...] Read more.
Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) is a vital working fluid in the application of power units and its high density helps to achieve a compact mechanical structure. Centrifugal compressors are of vital use in various kinds of equipment. In this paper, a SCO2 centrifugal compressor of large input power and mass flow rate is designed and numerically investigated. A thorough numerical analysis of the unsteady flow field in the centrifugal compressor is performed in ANSYS-CFX. The computation adopts hexahedral mesh, finite volume method, and the RNG k-ε two-equation turbulence model. Streamlines, temperature, pressure, and Mach number distributions at different time steps in one revolution period are covered to present the unsteady effect of turbomachinery. Meanwhile, the force on a single rotor blade is monitored to investigate the frequency components of exciting force, thus providing the foundation for vibration analysis. Moreover, the torque, output power, pressure ratio, and isentropic efficiency in the steady and the unsteady time-averaged condition are calculated and compared with the design condition to measure the validity of the design. In summary, the unsteady computation result reveals that the unsteady flow characteristics are prominent in the designed compressor and the design of impeller and diffuser meet the requirement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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2390 KiB  
Article
Birch Bark Dry Extract by Supercritical Fluid Technology: Extract Characterisation and Use for Stabilisation of Semisolid Systems
by Markus Armbruster, Mathias Mönckedieck, Regina Scherließ, Rolf Daniels and Martin A. Wahl
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(3), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7030292 - 16 Mar 2017
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 8212
Abstract
Triterpene compounds like betulin, betulinic acid, erythrodiol, oleanolic acid and lupeol are known for many pharmacological effects. All these substances are found in the outer bark of birch. Apart from its pharmacological effects, birch bark extract can be used to stabilise semisolid systems. [...] Read more.
Triterpene compounds like betulin, betulinic acid, erythrodiol, oleanolic acid and lupeol are known for many pharmacological effects. All these substances are found in the outer bark of birch. Apart from its pharmacological effects, birch bark extract can be used to stabilise semisolid systems. Normally, birch bark extract is produced for this purpose by extraction with organic solvents. Employing supercritical fluid technology, our aim was to develop a birch bark dry extract suitable for stabilisation of lipophilic gels with improved properties while avoiding the use of toxic solvents. With supercritical carbon dioxide, three different particle formation methods from supercritical solutions have been tested. First, particle deposition was performed from a supercritical solution in an expansion chamber. Second, the Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions (RESS) method was used for particle generation. Third, a modified RESS-procedure, forming the particles directly into the thereby gelated liquid, was developed. All three methods gave yields from 1% to 5.8%, depending on the techniques employed. The triterpene composition of the three extracts was comparable: all three gave more stable oleogels compared to the use of an extract obtained by organic solvent extraction. Characterizing the rheological behaviour of these gels, a faster gelling effect was seen together with a lower concentration of the extract required for the gel formation with the supercritical fluid (SCF)-extracts. This confirms the superiority of the supercritical fluid produced extracts with regard to the oleogel forming properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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3495 KiB  
Article
Effects of a Nano-Silica Additive on the Rock Erosion Characteristics of a SC-CO2 Jet under Various Operating Conditions
by Man Huang, Yong Kang, Xinping Long, Xiaochuan Wang, Yi Hu, Deng Li and Mingxing Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2017, 7(2), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/app7020153 - 8 Feb 2017
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4582
Abstract
In order to improve the erosion capacity of a supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) jet, the influence of a nano-silica additive on the rock erosion characteristics was experimentally investigated. By impinging the SC-CO2 jets with nano-silica mass fractions of 0 wt [...] Read more.
In order to improve the erosion capacity of a supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) jet, the influence of a nano-silica additive on the rock erosion characteristics was experimentally investigated. By impinging the SC-CO2 jets with nano-silica mass fractions of 0 wt % (pure SC-CO2 jet), 3 wt %, 6 wt %, 9 wt %, 12 wt %, 15 wt %, and 18 wt % on specimens of red sandstone, the erosion volumes under various operating conditions were measured and analyzed. Results show that an appropriate amount of nano-silica additive can greatly enhance the erosion ability of a SC-CO2 jet. The effect on the erosion ability largely depends on the operating conditions. For instance, when the other conditions are fixed, 6 wt %, 9 wt %, 12 wt %, and 15 wt % were the optimum mass fractions, successively, with the inlet pressure increasing from 30 MPa to 60 MPa. With the increase in ambient pressure, the optimum mass fraction is unchanged under the constant inlet pressure, while it increases under the constant pressure drop. Additionally, the optimum mass fraction decreases when the fluid temperature increases. In addition, the optimal standoff distances are about five times the nozzle diameter of the nano-silica SC-CO2 jet, and three times for the pure jet. This research provides a new method for effectively enhancing the rock erosion performance of a SC-CO2 jet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Applications of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide)
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