Modular supercritical fluid materials processing system

A modular materials processing system comprising:

• a first pressure module comprising from 1 to 12 supercritical fluid processing vessels each having a mechanical mixing device capable of fluidizing an aggregate material and a supercritical fluid and forming a mixture of the supercritical fluid and the aggregate material wherein a portion of the supercritical fluid is dispersed into gallery spaces of the aggregate material, wherein the supercritical fluid processing vessels are arranged in parallel or in series;
• a supercritical fluid source module in fluid communication with the first pressure module;
• an aggregate material source module in fluid communication with the first pressure module;
• at least one intermediate pressure release valve configured to release the mixture of the supercritical fluid and the aggregate material from the supercritical fluid processing vessels at sonic velocity and produce a depressurized supercritical fluid and a dispersed, exfoliated aggregate material;
• a second module comprising at least one collection vessel configured to collect the depressurized supercritical fluid and the dispersed, exfoliated aggregate material, the collection vessel being in fluid communication with the supercritical fluid processing vessel through the intermediate pressure release valve;
• and
• a recycling module for recycling the depressurized supercritical fluid and in fluid communication with the collection vessel and the supercritical fluid source module or the first pressure module, the recycling module comprising a compressor for repressurizing the supercritical fluid.