Foaming of linear isotactic polypropylene based on its non-isothermal crystallization behaviors under compressed CO2

The non-isothermal crystallization behaviors of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) under ambient N₂ and compressed CO₂ (5–50 bar) at cooling rates of 0.2–5.0 °C/min were carefully studied using high-pressure differential scanning calorimeter. The presence of compressed CO₂ had strong plasticization effect on the iPP matrix and retarded the formation of critical size nuclei, which effectively postponed the crystallization peak to lower temperature region. On the basis of these findings, a new foaming strategy was utilized to fabricate iPP foams using the ordinary unmodified linear iPP with supercritical CO₂ as the foaming agent. The foaming temperature range of this strategy was determined to be as wide as 40 °C and the upper and lower temperature limits were 155 and 105 °C, which were determined by the melt strength and crystallization temperature of the iPP specimen under supercritical CO₂, respectively. Due to the acute depression of CO₂ solubility in the iPP matrix during the foaming process, the iPP foams with the bi-modal cell structure were fabricated.     

Effect of temperature on bitumen conversion in a supercritical water flow

This article deals with a study of bitumen conversion (the gross-formula CH_1.47N_0.01S_0.007) in a supercritical water (SCW) flow continuously supplied at the bottom of the vertically located tubular reactor. At the first stage, bitumen was continuously supplied from the top of the reactor into a counter-current SCW flow (400 °C, 30 MPa) for 60 min. At the second stage (after ceasing the supply of bitumen into the reactor), SCW was pumped through the layer of bitumen residue at uniform (2.5 °C/min) temperature increase from 400 to 700 °C at 30 MPa. The amount and composition of the liquid and volatile conversion products were measured. It is revealed that during bitumen supply into the reactor and subsequent pumping of SCW through the layer of bitumen residue in the temperature increasing mode from 400 to 500 °C, the yields of liquid conversion products are equal to 26.9 and 45.4%, respectively, relative to the weight of bitumen supplied into the reactor. Oils are the major components of these liquid products. Participation of H₂O molecules in redox reactions became evident due to the formation of CO and CO₂ even at 400 °C. A significant increase in the yields of H₂, CH₄, and CO₂ are detected at T > 600 °C. Based on the sulfur balance, it can be stated that the degree of bitumen desulfurization at 400–700 °C due to sulphur removal in form of H₂S accounts for 21.6 wt.% A solid carbonaceous bitumen residue, obtained after SCW conversion, is characterized by high specific surface (224 m²/g).     

Response surface optimization of Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss (SCB) oil extraction via supercritical carbon dioxide

In this study, the essential oil of aerial parts of a species of a plant called Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss (SCB) was extracted by supercritical CO₂. The essence was analyzed by the method of GC/MS. Design of experiments was carried out with response surface methodology by Minitab 16 software to optimize four operating variables of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) extraction (pressure, temperature, CO₂ flow rate and extraction dynamic time). This is the first report announcing optimization of the operation of supercritical extraction of SCB in laboratorial conditions. Optimizing process was done to achieve maximum yield extraction. Independent variables were dynamic time (t_d), pressure (P), temperature (T) and flow rate of SC-CO₂ (Q) in the range of 30–150 min, 10–30 MPa, 40–60 °C and 0.5–1.7 ml/min, respectively. The experimental optimal recovery of essential oil (0.8431, w/w%) was obtained at 13.43 MPa, 40 °C, 150 min (dynamic) and 1.7 ml/min (CO₂ flow rate).     

High selectivity of TiC-CDC for CO2/N2 separation

A series of carbide-derived carbons (CDC) have been prepared starting from TiC and using different chlorine treatment temperatures (500–1200 °C). Contrary to N₂ adsorption measurements at −196 °C, CO₂ adsorption measurements at room temperature and high pressure (up to 1 MPa) together with immersion calorimetry measurements into dichloromethane suggest that the synthesized CDC exhibit a similar porous structure, in terms of narrow pore volume, independently of the temperature of the reactive extraction treatment used (samples synthesized below 1000 °C). Apparently, these carbide-derived carbons exhibit narrow constrictions were CO₂ adsorption under standard conditions (0 °C and atmospheric pressure) is kinetically restricted. The same accounts for a slightly larger molecule as N₂ at a lower adsorption temperature (−196 °C), i.e. textural parameters obtained from N₂ adsorption measurements on CDC must be underestimated. Furthermore, here we show experimentally that nitrogen exhibits an unusual behavior, poor affinity, on these carbide-derived carbons. CH₄ with a slightly larger diameter (0.39 nm) is able to partially access the inner porous structure whereas N₂, with a slightly smaller diameter (0.36 nm), does not. Consequently, these CDC can be envisaged as excellent sorbent for selective CO₂ capture in flue-gas streams.     

In situ synthesis of Si2N2O/Si3N4 composite ceramics using polysilyloxycarbodiimide precursors

In situ synthesis of Si₂N₂O/Si₃N₄ composite ceramics was conducted via thermolysis of novel polysilyloxycarbodiimide ([SiOSi(NCN)₃]_n) precursors between 1000 and 1500 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. The relative structures of Si₂N₂O/Si₃N₄ composite ceramics were explained by the structural evolution observed by electron energy-loss spectroscopy but also by Fourier transform infrared and ²⁹Si-NMR spectrometry. An amorphous single-phase Si₂N₂O ceramic with porous structure with pore size of 10–20 μm in diameter was obtained via a pyrolyzed process at 1000 °C. After heat-treatment at 1400 °C, a composite ceramic was obtained composed of 53.2 wt.% Si₂N₂O and 46.8 wt.% Si₃N₄ phases. The amount of Si₂N₂O phase in the composite ceramic decreased further after heat-treatment at 1500 °C and a crystalline product containing 12.8 wt.% Si₂N₂O and 87.2 wt.% Si₃N₄ phases was obtained. In addition, it is interesting that residual carbon in the ceramic composite nearly disappeared and no SiC phase was observed in the final Si₂N₂O/Si₃N₄ composite.     

Solubility and diffusion coefficient of supercritical-CO2 in polycarbonate and CO2 induced crystallization of polycarbonate

The solubility and diffusion coefficient of supercritical CO₂ in polycarbonate (PC) were measured using a magnetic suspension balance at sorption temperatures that ranged from 75 to 175 °C and at sorption pressures as high as 20 MPa. Above certain threshold pressures, the solubility of CO₂ decreased with time after showing a maximum value at a constant sorption temperature and pressure. This phenomenon indicated the crystallization of PC due to the plasticization effect of dissolved CO₂. A thorough investigation into the dependence of sorption temperature and pressure on the crystallinity of PC showed that the crystallization of PC occurred when the difference between the sorption temperature and the depressed glass transition temperature exceeded 40 °C (T − T_g ≥ 40 °C). Furthermore, the crystallization rate of PC was determined according to Avrami's equation. The crystallization rate increased with the sorption pressure and was at its maximum at a certain temperature under a constant pressure.     

Extraction of protocatechuic acid from Scutellaria barbata D. Don using supercritical carbon dioxide

The use of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC⿿CO₂), with water as a modifier, was evaluated in this study as a method to extract protocatechuic acid (PA) from Scutellaria barbata D. Don. The highest extraction yield of PA, 64.094 ± 2.756 μg/g of dry plant, was achieved at 75 °C and 27.5 MPa, with the addition of 15.6% (v/v) water as a modifier. The mean particle size was 0.355 mm, the CO₂ flow rate was 2.2 mL/min (STP) and the dynamic extraction time was 100 min. At pressures of 16.2⿿30.0 MPa and temperatures of 45⿿75 °C, the mole fraction solubilities of PA in SC⿿CO₂ ranged from 2.829 ÿ 10^⿿7 to 9.631 ÿ 10^⿿7. The solubility data for PA fit well in the Chrastil model. It is evident that the SC⿿CO₂ extraction uses less solvent, saves both energy and time and is an environmentally friendly extract technology that can be used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.     

Extraction of bioactive enriched fractions from Eruca sativa leaves by supercritical CO2 technology using different co-solvents

Supercritical fluid extraction from freeze-dried Eruca sativa leaves is assessed with the aim of studying the feasibility to obtain bioactive enriched fractions containing different classes of valuable compounds. Total extraction yields and compositions using pure CO₂ and CO₂ + selected co-solvents are compared. Overall extraction curves, fitted by the model of broken and intact cells developed by Sovová, are reported and the influence of the main parameters that affect the extraction process is analysed. The extract with the highest content in glucosinolates and phenols was collected at 30 MPa and 75 °C using 8% (w/w) of water with respect to the CO₂ flow rate, whereas the fraction richest in lipids was obtained using 8% (w/w) of ethanol as co-solvent at 45 °C and 30 MPa. A process including a first step with supercritical CO₂ extraction using water as co-solvent followed by a second step, where a fraction rich in lipids is extracted using ethanol as co-solvent, is proposed. SCCO₂ results are compared with Soxhlet and other methods that combine organic solvents with ultrasounds.     

Microwave enhanced synthesis of MOF-5 and its CO2 capture ability at moderate temperatures across multiple capture and release cycles

The metal-organic framework, MOF-5 (Zn₄O(BDC)₃), was prepared using solvothermal synthesis under microwave irradiation, followed by solvent exchange to improve molecular stability at high temperatures, and assessed for its ability to capture CO₂ at ambient pressure and temperatures up to 300 °C. The reaction product was characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, N₂ physisorption, thermogravimetric analysis and CO₂ physisorption. Cyclic CO₂ physisorption showed the capacity of the MOF-5 crystals to be 3.61 wt% when cycled between 30 °C and 300 °C through 10 separate capture and release cycles. Above 400 °C MOF-5 underwent thermal decomposition and was no longer capable of capturing CO₂.     

Extraction of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea via supercritical fluid technology: Neural network modeling and response surface optimization

In this study the extraction of (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from Iranian green tea was investigated by supercritical CO₂ with ethanol as co-solvent. Design of experiments and modeling were carried out with response surface methodology by Minitab software. The HPLC analysis of the extracted samples was used in conjunction with response surface design to optimize four operating variables of supercritical CO₂ extraction (pressure, temperature, CO₂ flow rate and extraction dynamic time). Optimum recovery of EGCG (0.462 g/g) was obtained at 19.3 MPa, 43.7 °C, 106 min (dynamic) and 1.5 ml/min (CO₂ flow rate). Moreover, a three-layer artificial neural network was developed for modeling EGCG extraction from green tea. In this regard, different networks (by changing the number of neurons in the hidden layer and algorithm of network training) were compared with evaluation of networks accuracy in extraction recovery prediction. Finally, the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm with the six neurons in the hidden layer has been found to be the most suitable network.     

Demonstration of NIR inline monitoring for hops extraction and micronization of benzoic acid in supercritical CO2

The use of supercritical CO₂ as solvent for separation processes and chemical reactions is widespread. Many industrial extraction processes using CO₂ consume a huge amount of energy and hence are very cost-intensive. In the past, the duration of extraction was often longer than required for an optimum result. Therefore, an inline monitoring device for terminating CO₂ extraction processes at the right time has been desirable. In collaboration between KIT and SITEC-Sieber Engineering, Switzerland, a mobile near infrared (NIR) inline monitoring device has been developed to close this gap and to offer an opportunity to implement it into industrial extractions processes using CO₂ and to use the data for process optimization. NIR spectroscopy with fiber optics adaption has been proven to be a very good choice, because the CO₂ bands are well separated from all other bands of interest caused by the extracts (organics and water). The NIR inline monitoring device can easily be implemented into industrial plants to visualize the extraction progress and to terminate the process at the right time in order to save energy and money. Measurements on customer's demand are available for extraction and reaction processes in supercritical CO₂.This paper will actually focus on two applications. Firstly, in collaboration with NATECO₂, Germany, the NIR inline monitoring device has been implemented into a plant for hops extraction with supercritical CO₂. Extractions have been performed and successfully monitored for the varieties Hallertauer Magnum, Hallertauer Herkules, and French Strisselspalter at 60 °C and 25 MPa, 28 MPa, and 50 MPa, respectively. The detectability was 0.1 wt% of hops in CO₂.Secondly, the applicability of this NIR inline monitoring method on processes for the production of submicron particles in supercritical CO₂ has been demonstrated in a feasibility study. For this purpose, a RESS (Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solution) high pressure plant (160 ml, max. 35 MPa, max. 120 °C) was built and the NIR inline monitoring device integrated. Two syringe pumps were coupled for an almost pulsation-free-feeding. Benzoic acid was used as a reference solid. In this feasibility study, the focus has not been to perform an optimized RESS process, but rather to monitor the loading of the CO₂ phase with benzoic acid continuously, as this information is crucial for the optimization of a RESS process and has not been available up to the present. The experiments have been carried out at 55 °C and 25 MPa as reference conditions. The performed calibration resulted in a detection limit of 0.1 mg benzoic acid per g CO₂. The loading of the CO₂ phase has been successfully and continuously monitored and can now be applied for other systems.A side effect of these investigations has been the finding that this NIR inline monitoring device can also be used for very precise solubility measurements and to visualize the establishment of thermodynamic phase equilibrium as a function of time, especially in cases of low solubility of a substance in CO₂. The NIR inline monitoring device can also be used for the inline monitoring of reactions producing data for kinetic modeling and process optimization.     

Extraction of bioactive compounds from peach palm pulp (Bactris gasipaes) using supercritical CO2

Natural compounds with biological activity have recently attracted special interest in the agro-industry as sources of additives in nutraceutical food production and pharmaceutical industries. Herein, we evaluated extracts obtained from peach palm fruit (Bactris gasipaes) using supercritical carbon dioxide, in terms of yield, total phenolic content, total flavonoids, total carotenoids, and antioxidant activity by β-carotene bleaching method. Extractions were performed at 40, 50, and 60 °C and 100, 200, and 300 bar; additionally, Soxhlet (with petroleum ether) and methanol extraction were conducted. The results showed that supercritical CO₂ allows obtaining extracts rich in carotenoids and, although it presents lower yield than conventional extraction (SOX), supercritical CO₂ represents a technique with greater advantages. The best operation condition for supercritical extraction was 300 bar–40 °C, given that the highest concentration of carotenoids was obtained, without the yield being significantly different from that obtained with 300 bar–60 °C, this extract had antioxidant activity comparable to that of commercial caffeic acid.     

Mechanical and dielectric properties of porous Si2N2O–Si3N4 in situ composites

Mechanical and dielectric properties of porous Si₂N₂O–Si₃N₄ in situ composites fabricated for use as radome by gel-casting process were investigated. The flexural strength of the Si₂N₂O–Si₃N₄ ceramics is 230.46 ± 13.24 MPa, the complex permittivity of the composites varies from 4.34 to 4.59 and the dissipation factor varies from 0.00053 to 0.00092 from room temperature to elevated temperature (1150 °C) at the X-band. In the porous regions, some Si₂N₂O fibers (50–100 nm in diameter) are observed which may improve the materials properties.     

Liquid and supercritical CO2 extraction of fat from rendered materials

The separation of fat from rendered materials has potential for value-added products, fuels and feed sources for animals. Current industrial processes utilize continuous screw pressing to extract fat from rendered materials, but the ability to minimize residual fat content is limited. In this work, liquid and supercritical CO₂ were used to extract the remaining fat from rendered poultry meal. CO₂ extraction offers high extraction yields with potential ecological and economic benefits for the rendering industry. A semi-batch extraction unit was used to investigate the effect of pressure (69–345 bar), temperature (25 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C), flow rate, and mass of CO₂ on the extraction yield and the fat solubility. Maximum extraction yields between 87% and 97% were obtained which produced a remaining fat content of 1.0 ± 0.3 wt% in the extracted poultry meal. Fat solubility increased with pressure but decreased with temperature, providing liquid CO₂ with the highest fat solubility (6.47 g/L) at 25 °C and 345 bar. The Chrastil model successfully correlated the solubility data as a function of density and temperature, obtaining an AARD value of 5.56%. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the composition of fatty acids, obtaining similar results with those reported in the literature. It can be concluded that high fat extraction yields can be obtained using CO₂ and that liquid CO₂ is more effective than supercritical CO₂ for the extraction of rendered fats under the conditions tested.     

Extraction of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins from blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) residues using supercritical CO2 and pressurized liquids

This work explored the potential of subcritical liquids and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the recovery of extracts containing phenolic compounds, antioxidants and anthocyanins from residues of blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) processing. Supercritical CO₂ and pressurized liquids are alternatives to the use of toxic organic solvents or extraction methods that apply high temperatures. Blueberry is the fruit with the highest antioxidant and polyphenol content, which is present in both peel and pulp. In the extraction with pressurized liquids (PLE), water, ethanol and acetone were used at different proportions, with temperature, pressure and solvent flow rate kept constant at 40 °C, 20 MPa and 10 ml/min, respectively. The extracts were analyzed and the highest antioxidant activities and phenolic contents were found in the extracts obtained with pure ethanol and ethanol + water. The highest concentrations of anthocyanins were recovered with acidified water as solvent. In supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO₂, water, acidified water, and ethanol were used as modifiers, and the best condition for all functional components evaluated was SFE with 90% CO₂, 5% water, and 5% ethanol. Sixteen anthocyanins were identified and quantified by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC).     

Synthesis of β-SiAlON powder by carbothermal reduction–nitridation of zeolites with different compositions

β-SiAlON was synthesized from select zeolite Y compositions with different Si/Al ratios by carbothermal reduction–nitridation (CRN), and the correlation between the starting compositions and products was investigated. The carbon content in all of the zeolite samples was fixed at 1.2 times the required stoichiometric value. Zeolite–carbon mixtures were placed in a carbon boat and fired in a furnace at 1300 °C for 0 min, and 1450 °C for 0, 120 min in a N₂ flow of 0.5 l/min. The main phase in each of the samples fired at 1450 °C for 120 min was determined from XRD results as β-SiAlON. It was also found that the ratio of β-SiAlON to minor phases such as α-Si₃N₄ and Si₂N₂O is typically higher in samples prepared from zeolites rather than from silica–alumina mixtures of the same compositions. This indicates that zeolites are ideal raw materials for the CRN synthesis of high purity β-SiAlONs by CRN with various z values.     

Optimization of supercritical fluid extraction of phytosterol from roselle seeds with a central composite design model

Recovery of phytosterol from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seeds via supercritical carbon dioxide extraction modified with ethanol was investigated at pressures of 200–400 bar, temperatures from 40 to 80 °C and at supercritical fluid flow rates from 10 to 20 ml/min. It was found that an entrainer such as ethanol could enhance the solubility and extraction yield of roselle seed oil from the seed matrix, compared to values obtained using supercritical CO₂. After a typical run (holding period of 30 min, continuous flow extraction of 3 h), the results indicate that the oil recovery was optimal with a recovery of 108.74% and a phytosterol composition of 7262.80 mg kg^?1 at relatively low temperature of 40 °C, a high pressure of 400 bar and at a high supercritical fluid flow rate of 20 ml/min in the presence of 2 ml/min EtOH as entrainer. The solubility of roselle seed oil increased with temperature at the operating pressures of 200, 300 and 400 bar. Supercritical fluid extraction involved a short extraction time and the minimal usage of small amounts of entrainer in the CO₂.     

Supercritical fluid extraction for quality control in beer industry

The knowledge of lipid composition in beer ingredients (malt and corn grits) and wort enables the quality control for final product. Since supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is an efficient technique for preparing samples for analysis without the use of solvents, in this research Supercritical CO₂ (SC–CO₂) extraction was compared with the traditional Soxhlet one for a gravimetric determination of total lipids on malt and corn grits. The obtained extracts were then analyzed by HPLC-ELSD after TLC separation of triacylglycerols (TAGs) for lipids fingerprint. The extraction of total fats achieved by a 60-min run with pure CO₂ at 65 MPa and 100 °C was 43% higher than that produced by Soxhlet performed for 9 h for malt. The extraction was intermediate for SFE at 60 and 80 °C. The recovery of the TAG obtained with SC–CO₂ at 100 °C was statistically comparable with results from Soxhlet extraction.     

Effect of pre-oxidation on the microstructure,mechanical and dielectric properties of highly porous silicon nitride ceramics

Highly porous Si₃N₄ ceramics have been fabricated via freeze casting and sintering. The as-sintered samples were pre-oxidized at 1200–1400 °C for 15 min. The effect of pre-oxidation temperature on the microstructure, flexural strength, and dielectric properties of porous Si₃N₄ ceramics were investigated. As the pre-oxidation temperature increased from 1200 °C to 1400 °C, firstly, the flexural strength of the pre-oxidized specimens remained almost constant at 1200 °C, and then decreased to 14.2 MPa at 1300 °C, but finally increased to 25.6 MPa at 1400 °C, while the dielectric constant decreased gradually over the frequencies ranging from 8.2 GHz to 12.4 GHz. This simple process allows porous Si₃N₄ ceramics to have ultra-low dielectric constant and moderate strength, which will be feasible in broadband radome applications at high temperatures.     

Extraction of jojoba seed oil using supercritical CO2+ethanol mixture in green and high-tech separation process

In this study, the extraction of jojoba seed oil obtained from jojoba seed using both supercritical CO₂ and supercritical CO₂+ethanol mixtures was investigated. The recovery of jojoba seed oil was performed in a green and high-tech separation process. The extraction operating was carried out at operating pressures of 25, 35 and 45 MPa, operating temperatures of 343 and 363 K, supercritical fluid flow rates of 3.33 × 10⁻⁸, 6.67 × 10⁻⁸ and 13.33 × 10⁻⁸ m³ s⁻¹, entrainer concentrations of 2, 4 and 8 vol.%, and average particle diameters of 4.1 × 10⁻⁴, 6.1 × 10⁻⁴, 8.6 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.2 × 10⁻³ m. It was found that a green chemical modifier such as ethanol could enhance the solubilities, initial extraction rate and extraction yield of jojoba seed oil from the seed matrix as compared to supercritical CO₂. In addition, it was found that the solubility, the initial extraction rate and the extraction yield depended on operating pressure and operating temperature, entrainer concentration, average particle size and supercritical solvent flow rate. The solubility of jojoba seed oil and initial extraction rate increased with temperature at the operating pressures of 35 and 45 MPa and decreased with increasing temperature at the operating pressure of 25 MPa. Furthermore, supercritical fluid extraction involved short extraction time and minimal usage of small amounts entrainer to the CO₂. About 80% of the total jojoba seed oil was extracted during the constant rate period at the pressure of 35 and 45 MPa.