Mass Transfer in Countercurrent Supercritical Extraction

Abstract

This paper addresses problems and background information associated with the design of sieve-tray extraction col-ums operating in the supercritical solvent region. An appropriate mass transfer model is selected, and the needs and sources of basic data are reviewed. The model is executed for both conventional and supercritical extraction cases. Comparisons for both cases are made against measured data. It is concluded that stage efficiencies for the supercritical case are superior, largely due to favorable transport properties.