About Supercritical

As we learned from a previous post, supercritical fluid is (sort of) another state of matter. It’s one that’s not a gas, not a liquid, but with properties of both. While the phenomenon was discovered over two hundred years ago by Baron de la Tour of France (more on that in a minute), its use really gained popularity in the 1970s. Long before you could pop a pod into the sleek machine on your countertop and push a button, there…

The production of CO2 by burning is harmful to the environment and adds to the Green House effect. However, using existing carbon dioxide can lead to some environmental benefits. For example we’re not creating any CO2 when we put bubbles into our soft drinks. We’re using existing carbon dioxide when this is done. We can use existing carbon dioxide as a solvent instead of many of the harsh petroleum based solvents, that would ultimately need to be disposed of. Carbon…

Supercritical fluids – so much more than decaffeinating coffee If you’re in science, you may have heard about supercritical fluids in your physical chemistry class. If you’re not, we’ll get you up to speed. The example most often cited for the use of supercritical carbon dioxide is for decaffeinating coffee, replacing the old method which used toxic chemicals. That is only one use. There are so many more! It’s like asking what you can use water for… You can use…

We’re all familiar with the three states of matter – Liquid, solid and gas.                                  Let’s look at water. Carbon dioxide is the gas most often used to create supercritical fluid. Carbon dioxide is: Importantly – by using existing CO2, there is no increase in greenhouse gases The conditions for supercritical carbon dioxide are very mild. CO2 becomes supercritical around 1073 PSI and 90 degrees F (31 degrees C and 74 bar.) That’s less than body temperature! So, what is…