Group of supercritical fluids

The group of supercritical fluids, established in the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the ASCR, v.v.i. in the end of the 1980s, was from the begining focused mostly on the study of kinetics of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with carbon dioxide from various plant sources. Another field of the study were enzymatic reactions of oils in CO2 and solubility measurements of compounds occuring in the plant matrix. An integral part of the research until today is mathematical modelling of the SFE, when for example BIC (broken and intact cell) model was developed by Helena Sovová. In 2013, the head of group became Ing. Marie Sajfrtová, Ph.D. The present research on the supercritical CO2 applications involves among others chemical reactions in this medium, formation of polymer foams, and preparation of nanostructured metal oxides.

 

Research

The research is mainly oriented to three lines: extraction of biologically active compounds from various natural sources, chemical and enzymatic reactions and polymer foaming with using of supercritical CO2.

 

Equipment

Pilot plant

maximal pressure 35 MPa, two extractors 1.6 dm3, two separators 1.5 dm3

Laboratory equipment

pressure up to 65 MPa, temperature up to 350 °C, extraction vessels from12 to 150 cm3, max. 3 separators in a row

 

Running projects
- 2011-2014: Research and development of new products for comprehensive protection of plants based on the use of natural substances obtained by supercritical fluid extraction and hydrodistillation

- 2014-2016: Unconvencional preparation of nanostructural metal oxides with using of high pressure and supercritical fluids

- 2014-2016: Formation of morphology of the nano- and micro- cellular polymer foams