Supercritical fluid extraction restrictor and collection system

An extraction and collection apparatus comprising:

• (a) supercritical fluid extraction means, having an extraction exit end, for extracting chemical compounds in a high pressure effluent stream;
• and
• (b) collection means for recovering said chemical compounds carried in said effluent including
• (1) decompression chamber means,
• (2) conduit means communicably coupling said supercritical fluid extraction means to said decompression chamber means and terminating at a conduit exit port at said decompression chamber means, said conduit means including a flow restrictor capillary tube segment for maintaining fluid pressure upstream of said decompression chamber,
• (3) heating means disposed adjacent said conduit means for heating at least a portion of said conduit means, and
• (4) liquid solvent chamber means containing a quantity of liquid solvent therein to a level below said exit port of said conduit means disposed in said decompression chamber means such that said conduit means is free of contact with said liquid solvent during passage of effluent therethrough, said liquid solvent chamber means having a solvent chamber exit port and being in open communication with said decompression chamber means,
• said open communication being such that the effluent, after passing through said decompression chamber means, passes through said quantity of liquid solvent in the liquid solvent chamber means.

A collection apparatus for recovering chemical compounds carried in a high pressure effluent stream produced from supercritical fluid extraction means having an extraction exit end, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) liquid solvent chamber means containing a quantity of liquid solvent therein;
• (b) decompression chamber means including a structure defining an interior chamber airspace and having a chamber exit port therefrom terminating in said liquid solvent;
• (c) conduit means connected at one end thereof to the extraction exit end and including a conduit exit port at its other end disposed in said interior chamber airspace of said decompression chamber means and positioned to be substantially free of contact with said liquid solvent, said conduit means including a flow restrictor capillary tube segment for maintaining fluid pressure upstream of said decompression chamber;
• and
• (d) heating means disposed adjacent said conduit means for heating at least a portion of said conduit means;
• wherein, said liquid solvent chamber means is in open communication with said decompression chamber means such that the effluent, after passing through the airspace of said decompression chamber means, passes through said quantity of liquid solvent in said liquid solvent chamber means.

A collection apparatus for recovering chemical compounds carried in a high pressure effluent stream produced from supercritical fluid extraction means having an extraction exit end, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first independent container including decompression chamber means;
• (b) conduit means connected at one end thereof to the extraction exit end and including a conduit exit port at its other end disposed in said decomposition chamber means, said conduit means including a flow restrictor capillary tube segment for maintaining fluid pressure upstream of said decompression chamber means;
• (c) heating means disposed adjacent said conduit means for heating at least a portion of said conduit means;
• (d) a second independent container including liquid solvent chamber means containing a quantity of liquid solvent and a solvent chamber exit port, said liquid solvent chamber means being in open communication with said decompression chamber means by a transfer tube connecting said first independent container to said second independent container, said open communication being such that the effluent, after passing through said decompression chamber means, passes through said transfer tube and said quantity of liquid solvent in the liquid solvent chamber means.