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US 2025/0050240 A1Published application
Supercritical fluid extraction process with integrated pressure exchanger
OwnerJames Khreibaniinventor
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Abstract
Processes and apparatuses for compound recovery using supercritical fluid (SCF) are disclosed. An example process involves solvent extraction (including hydrothermal liquefaction and gasification) of a extracted compound using a SCF from a solid or liquid substrate including, but not limited to, microalgae, plant matter, and polymers. The apparatus comprises SCF, an extraction vessel, a pressure exchanger, feedstock, a separate compound, and solid or liquid compound separators.
Claims16
A method of extracting a compound contained within at least one solid or liquid substrate using a supercritical fluid stream, the method comprises the following steps:
- a. providing an extraction vessel at least partially filled with at least one solid or liquid substrate;
- b. mixing the supercritical fluid stream with the substrate of step (a) to form an extraction flow;
- c. operating a pressure exchanger positioned between the first separation vessel and the extraction vessel, the pressure exchanger is configured to:
- i. transfer the extraction flow from the extraction vessel to the first separation vessel where extraction vessel pressure is higher than first separation vessel pressure,
- ii. transfer first separation vessel discharge from the first separation vessel to the extraction vessel;
- where the first separation vessel pressure is lower than the extraction vessel pressure,
- d. using the pressure exchanger to change the pressure of the supercritical fluid within the pressure exchanger flow to differ from the extraction compound, thereby causing separation of the extraction compound from the extraction flow within the first separation vessel;
- e. directing the supercritical fluid within the first separation vessel discharge from the first separation vessel to the extraction vessel, while retaining the extraction compound in the first separation vessel;
- f. repeating steps (a) through (e) until all soluble compound is removed from the extraction flow.
6 more elements
A method of extracting a compound contained within at least one solid or liquid substrate using a supercritical fluid stream, the method comprises the following steps:
- a. providing an extraction vessel at least partially filled with at least one solid or liquid substrate;
- b. mixing the supercritical fluid stream with the substrate of step (a) to form an extraction flow;
- c. operating a pressure exchanger positioned between the extraction vessel and first separation vessel and the second pressure exchanger, the pressure exchanger is configured to:
- i. transfer the extraction flow from the extraction vessel to the first separation vessel where extraction vessel pressure is higher than first separation vessel pressure,
- ii. transfer second pressure exchanger discharge flow to the extraction vessel where the second pressure exchanger discharge flow pressure is lower than the extraction vessel pressure;
- d. using the pressure exchanger to change a pressure of the supercritical fluid within the pressure exchanger discharge to differ from the extraction compound, thereby causing separation of the extraction compound from the pressure exchanger discharge within the first separation vessel;
- e. directing the supercritical fluid within the first separation vessel discharge from the first separation vessel to the second separation vessel, while retaining the extraction compound in the first separation vessel;
- f. operating a second pressure exchanger positioned between the first separation vessel and the second separation vessel, the pressure exchanger is configured to:
- i. transfer the first separation vessel discharge flow from the first separation vessel to the second separation vessel where the first separation vessel pressure is higher than second separation vessel pressure,
- ii. transfer second separation vessel discharge flow from the second separation vessel to the pressure exchanger, where the second pressure exchanger discharge flow pressure is lower than the pressure exchanger pressure,
- g. Using the second pressure exchanger to change a pressure of the supercritical fluid within the first separator discharge flow to differ from the second extraction compound, thereby causing separation of the second extraction compound from the pressure exchanger discharge flow within the second separation vessel;
- h. directing the supercritical fluid within the second separation vessel discharge from the second separation vessel to the second separation vessel, while retaining the second extraction compound in the second separation vessel;
- i. repeating steps (a) through (h) until all extraction and second extraction compound is removed from the extraction flow.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.