What is supercritical CO2 extraction?
Supercritical and/or subcritical extraction is a process used to obtain extracts and other substances using gases which are under super- or subcritical conditions. Each substance in the gaseous state can be converted to the supercritical state by changing the pressure and temperature. The most often used gas is carbon dioxide, as it is relatively harmless and enters the supercritical state at quite acceptable physical conditions: 31 ˚C and 74 bar(g).
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Supercritical and subcritical gases act as solvents and can remove oils and hydrophobic components from plant materials. If the pressure is lowered under 41 bar(g), the gas enters its natural (gaseous) state and loses its dissolving power, which means it no longer has the ability to hold on to the dissolved oils and other removed components. Consequently, these components are released in the form of a liquid, paste, or solid product. The result is a completely natural extract with no solvent residue.
The advantage of supercritical extraction is that pressure and temperature changes influence the dissolving power, which means the extraction process can be adapted to obtain specific substances. The possibility of a selective component extraction is particularly important if you wish to isolate specific substances from a collective matrix, as is often required in the pharmaceutical and food industry.
Škrlj MoSES system
The Škrlj MoSES system is a completely automated sub- and supercritical extraction system for the production of natural bioactive compounds using carbon dioxide.
Supercritical extraction is usually carried out at high pressures. Due to the pressure load, all pressure components (high-pressure pumps, pressure regulation system, high-pressure vessels) must be manufactured and tested in accordance with the highest pressure equipment standards. The MoSES system is equipped with built-in electronic and mechanical protection devices to protect the system against operational and mechanical errors / malfunctions and to ensure a high level of operator safety.
Modular design
The system is designed modularly.
The gas supply and pressure regulation systems are the basis of the entire system, while the extraction modules can be varied. This means that system flow and efficency can be easily controlled and upgraded by changing the configuration of the extraction vessels or their sequence.
The system can be (optionally) equipped with an additional pump for organic solvent supply, either to improve extract quality / final extraction efficiency or to carry out system cleaning in accordance with GMP guidelines.
Standards
The Škrlj MoSES system is designed and manufactured in accordance with EU standards and certificates.
Directives:
- Directive on machinery 2006/42/EC
- Directive on electromagnetic compatibility 2014/30/EU
- Directive LVD (2014/35/EU)
- Pressure equipment directive PED 2014/68/EU
Certificates:
- Declaration of Conformity CE
- ISO 9001:2015
- EN ISO 3834-2
- AD 2000-Merkblatt HP 0 (2017-10) and EN13445-4:2014 + EN ISO 3834-2:2006
- Module H/H1
Use
The MoSES system is used for the production of bioactive compounds from herbs and other plants, where a high degree of extract purity is required, especially for:
- hemp paste production
- coffee and tea decaffeination
- the production of raw materials for beer brewing
- plant extract production for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industry
- extract preparation for orthopedic use
Capacity
Laboratory systems with two or three extraction vessels (1, 2 or 5 liters), which can operate in parallel or sequential mode.
Semi-industrial and industrial systems with two or three extraction vessels (10 or 25 liters).
All systems are equipped with three collection vessels.
| SCE MoSES / Model | MoSES 1.10.1 | MoSES 1.10.2 | MoSES 1.25.1 | MoSES 1.25.2 | MoSES 1.25.3 |
| Code | 120604 | 122041 | 124490 | ||
| Extraction vessel size (L) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 25 | 25 |
| Extraction vessels included (pcs.) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Extraction vessel material | 14418 | 14418 | 14418 | ||
| Seal material | PTFE | PTFE | PTFE | ||
| Piping material | 14404 | 14404 | 14404 | ||
| Max. alowable pressure (bar) | 400 | 350 | 350 | ||
| Max. alowable temperature (°C) | 150 | 150 | 150 | ||
| CO2 Flow rate max (Kg/h) | 15 | 15 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Separator vessel size (L) | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 7,5 |
| Separator vessels included (pcs.) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Separator max. operating pressure (bar) | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
| Separator max. operating temperature (°C) | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| CO2 recycler vessel capacity (kg) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 45 | 45 |
| Recycler operating pressure (bar) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| CO2 consumption per batch (kg) for first filling | 7 | 7 | 15 | 15 | 17 |
| CO2 consumption per batch (kg) operational | 4 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average cycle run time (90 % efficiency calculated on hemp) (hours) | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Electricity use per batch (kWh) | 13 | 15 | 55 | 60 | 65 |
| Site ambient temperature requirements (°C) | 20 do 25 | 20 do 25 | 20 do 25 | 20 do 25 | 20 do 25 |
| Total system mass aprox. (Kg) | 970 | 920 | 3120 | 3245 | 3450 |
| System dimensions (LxDxH mm) aprox. | 2706x1000x1744 | 4000x2000x2800 | 4000x2000x2800 |
System components
Extraction is carried out in high-pressure extraction cylinders, equipped with an automatic temperature regulation system. The cylinders have a volume of 10 or 25 liters and they are equipped with a threaded cap. They are made of stainless steel and TÜV certified.
Collection vessels
The products are selectively collected in three high-pressure collection vessels. The vessels have a volume of 2, 5 or 10 liters and they are equipped with a threaded cap. They are made of stainless steel and TÜV certified.
High-pressure pump
The high-pressure pump is used for achieving the pressure values needed for the gas to enter the supercritical state and enables continuous extraction medium circulation. MoSES systems are equipped with robust membrane pumps with flow capacities ranging between 20 and 200 kg of liquid medium per hour.
Pressure regulators
All extraction processes are carried out under supercritical conditions. One of the conditions for reaching the supercritical state is establishing a suitable (supercritical) pressure. MoSES systems are equipped with built-in automatic back pressure regulators (ABPR), which are used to achieve and regulate the supercritical pressure. They are able to regulate system pressure between 0 and 400 bar(g) with ± 1 % accuracy.
Automatic control heating elements
All extraction processes are carried out under supercritical conditions. One of the conditions for reaching the supercritical state is establishing a suitable (supercritical) temperature. MoSES systems are equipped with built-in automatically controlled heating elements, which are used to achieve and regulate the supercritical temperature and enable extraction at temperatures up to 80 °C.
Carbon dioxide recycler
The extraction is carried out in a closed system, while the carbon dioxide is recycled throughout the entire process. The recycler is a liquid carbon dioxide collection vessel, equipped with an automatic cooling system. The recycler's nominal volume is 2 times the volume of the extraction cylinders. It is made of stainless steel and TÜV certified as a pressure vessel.
Control panel
The system is controlled via touch screen control panel or computer using an intuitive control system software. The software is designed in accordance with the GMP standard, manual operation is limited to vessel filling and emptying.
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