Apparatus for processing materials in supercritical fluids and methods thereof

An apparatus comprising:

• a high strength enclosure disposed about a plurality of high strength wedge shaped radial segments;
• a capsule disposed inside the high strength enclosure, wherein the capsule is configured to contain one or more materials in an environment having a supercritical fluid;
• a heating device disposed between the high strength enclosure and the capsule, wherein the heating device is configured to transfer heat into the environment within the capsule, such that the environment becomes heated and self-pressurized from the heat, wherein the high strength enclosure is configured to surround and bear against the capsule to counterbalance internal pressures within the capsule;
• and
• thermal insulation disposed between the high strength enclosure and the heating device, wherein the thermal insulation is configured to retain heat within the capsule and to reduce heat transfer into the high strength enclosure.

An apparatus comprising:

• a pressure vessel configured to process material contained in a self pressurizing capsule, wherein the pressure vessel is configured to contain a pressurized gas surrounding the self-pressurizing capsule;
• a displacement measuring device configured to measure deformation of the self pressurizing capsule due to a pressure difference between an interior pressure and a surrounding pressure of the self-pressurizing capsule;
• and
• a pressure control device configured to balance the interior pressure within the capsule with the surrounding pressure of the pressurized gas within the pressure vessel by minimizing displacement or deformation of the self-pressurizing capsule.

An apparatus comprising:

• a high strength enclosure disposed about a plurality of high strength wedge shaped radial segments;
• a heating device disposed inside the high strength enclosure and configured to receive a capsule, wherein the heating device is configured to transfer heat into the environment within the capsule, such that the environment becomes heated and self pressurized from the heat, wherein the high strength enclosure is configured to surround and bear against the capsule to counterbalance internal pressures within the capsule without significant gas pressure between the heating device and the capsule;
• and
• thermal insulation disposed between the high strength enclosure and the heating device.

A method of manufacturing an apparatus comprising:

• providing a high strength enclosure disposed about a plurality of high strength wedge-shaped radial segments;
• providing a capsule configured to be positioned inside the high strength enclosure, wherein the capsule is configured to contain a substance including a supercritical fluid, providing a heating device configured to be positioned between the high strength enclosure and the capsule;
• and
• providing thermal insulation configured to be positioned between the high strength enclosure and the heating device.

An apparatus comprising:

• a capsule configured to contain a supercritical fluid;
• a pressure vessel disposed about the capsule, wherein the pressure vessel is configured to contain a pressurized gas surrounding the capsule;
• a pressure control device configured to balance an interior pressure within the capsule with a surrounding pressure of the pressurized gas within the pressure vessel in response to sensed environmental conditions within the capsule or the pressure vessel;
• and
• a displacement measuring device configured to measure deformation of the capsule due to a pressure difference between the interior pressure and the surrounding pressure.

An apparatus comprising:

• a capsule configured to contain a supercritical fluid;
• a pressure vessel disposed about the capsule, wherein the pressure vessel is configured to contain a pressurized gas surrounding the capsule;
• a gas pressure intensifier device and a pressure control device both of said devices being configured to balance an interior pressure within the capsule with a surrounding pressure of the pressurized gas within the pressure vessel in response to sensed environmental conditions within the capsule and the pressure vessel;
• and
• a displacement measuring device configured to measure deformation of the capsule due to a pressure difference between the interior pressure and the surrounding pressure.