Phase equlibiria and diffusivity of dense gases in various polyethylenes

The aim of this work was to investigate the properties of polyethylenes (PE) of various densities (low-density and high-density) under pressure of CO₂ and propane. The phase equilibria of PE of different density in presence of CO₂ and in presence of propane in dependence of pressure and temperature were investigated. The phase transitions of PE at atmospheric pressure were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, phase transitions of polymers under pressure of gases were measured by using an optical high pressure cell. Measurements of phase transition were performed in range of pressure of 1–90 MPa. The results show that melting points of LDPE decreased in presence of CO₂ and in presence of propane. For high-density polyethylene (HDPE) the melting point decrease was observed only in presence of propane, while in presence of CO₂ melting point increases with increasing pressure. The melting points of LDPE and HDPE decrease in average for 10–20 K in presence of propane, while in presence of CO₂ the melting point decrease for both LDPE was lower (5–10 K). Solubility and diffusivity of supercritical CO₂ in two low-density polyethylenes (LDPE) and in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were measured at temperature 373 K and pressures up to 30 MPa using a magnetic suspension balance (MSB). The solubility data were used for estimating the binary diffusion coefficients. The solubilities increased with increasing density. The diffusion coefficient shows strong CO₂ density and CO₂ solubility dependence. Diffusion coefficient starts to decrease with increasing density and solubility of CO₂.     

Phase equilibria of the propylene glycol/CO2 and propylene glycol/ethanol/CO2 systems

The high-pressure vapour–liquid phase equilibria (P–T–x–y) of the binary mixture propylene glycol/CO₂ have been experimentally investigated at temperatures of (398.2, 423.2 and 453.2) K over the pressure range from (2.5 to 55.0) MPa using a static-analytic method. Furthermore, the high-pressure vapour–liquid phase equilibria (P–T–x–y) of the ternary mixture propylene glycol/CO₂/ethanol at constant temperatures of (398.2, 423.2 and 453.2) K and at constant pressure of 15.0 MPa have been determined using a static-analytic method. Initial concentrations of components in propylene glycol (PG)/ethanol (EtOH) mixture vary from 10 up to 90 wt.%. In general, for binary system it was observed that the solubility of CO₂ in the heavy propylene glycol reach phase increases with increasing pressure at constant temperature. On the contrary, the composition of gaseous phase is not influenced by the pressure or the temperature. On average the solubility of PG in light phase of CO₂ amounts to 30 wt.%. The system behaviour at temperature of 398.2 K was investigated up to 70.0 MPa and a single-phase region was not observed. Above the pressure 60.0 MPa a single-phase region of the system was observed for the temperature of 423.2 K. For the temperature of 453.2 K the single-phase was observed above the pressure of 48.0 MPa. For ternary system it was observed that the composition of heavy phase is slightly influenced by the temperature when the mass fraction of EtOH in initial mixture is higher than 50 wt.%. If the mass fraction of PG in initial mixture is higher than 50 wt.%, the composition of heavy phase is not influenced by the temperature anymore. The composition of the PG, EtOH and CO₂ in light phase remains more or less unchanged and it is not influenced by the conditions.     

Phase behavior of 1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene–carbon dioxide binary system

1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene (TTBB) is solid at ambient conditions, and has substantial solubility in liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide. We present the phase behavior of TTBB–CO₂ binary system at temperatures between 298 and 328 K and at pressures up to 20 MPa. Phase diagrams showing the liquid–vapor, solid–liquid and solid–vapor equilibrium envelopes are constructed by pressure–volume–temperature measurements in a variable-volume sapphire cell. TTBB is highly soluble in CO₂ over a wide range of compositions. Single-phase states are achieved at moderate pressures, even with very high TTBB concentrations. For example, at 328 K, a binary system containing TTBB at a concentration of 95% by weight forms a single-phase above 2.04 MPa. TTBB exhibits a significant melting-point depression in the presence of CO₂, 45 K at 3.11 MPa, where the normal melting point of 343 K is reduced to 298 K. With its high solubility in carbon dioxide, TTBB has potential uses as a binder or template in materials forming processes using dense carbon dioxide.     

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.     

Argon as a potential processing media for natural and synthetic substances

Phase equilibrium data of caffeine, vanillin, o-ethyl vanillin and a natural rosemary extract (containing 73.9% carnosic acid and 14.7% carnosol) in argon have been determined in present work.Solubility data were determined at temperatures of 313.15 K, 333.15 K and 363.15 K and in the pressure range from 0.82 MPa up to 50.27 MPa using a static–analytic method and were compared to solubility data of the same substances in CO₂.Maximal solubility of vanillin in argon was obtained at a temperature of 313.15 K and a pressure of 43.8 MPa, approx. 0.015 g/g. Comparing the solubility data of pure vanillin in argon and in CO₂ higher solubility in argon is observed at lower temperatures and pressures. For o-ethyl vanillin the solubility in argon is higher in comparison to solubility in CO₂ in the entire range of pressure, especially at higher temperatures_.Maximal solubility of caffeine in argon was observed at a temperature of 363.15 K 0.001361 g caffeine/g argon at 38.9 MPa. With increasing pressure solubility increases, while temperature does not have a noticeable impact in the temperature range from 313.15 K to 333.15 K; the solubility increased with increasing temperature to 363.15 K. Similarly, solubility of carnosic acid extract increases with increasing pressure, from about 0.0097 × 10⁻² g substance/g gas at 2.08 MPa and at 313.15 K to 0.0338 × 10⁻² g substance/g gas at 50.27 MPa and at 363.15 K.Solubility of the investigated compounds in argon is a function of both, pressure and temperature. Generally, pressure significantly impacts solubility particularly up to a pressure of 20.0 MPa in case of vanillin and up to 30 MPa in case of o-ethyl vanillin and carnosic acid extract. An additional increase of pressure has only a slight impact on solubility. In the case of caffeine, the impact of pressure on the solubility becomes more evident at pressures higher than 20 MPa.     

Lycopene solubility in mixtures of carbon dioxide and ethyl acetate

In order to improve the efficiency of processes using supercritical (sc) carbon dioxide (CO₂) to micronize the carotenoid “lycopene”, it is important to know the solubility of lycopene in mixtures of the organic solvent ethyl acetate (EA) and the antisolvent CO₂ at elevated pressures. The solubility of lycopene has been determined for different temperatures (313–333 K), pressures (12–16 MPa) and CO₂ molar fractions (0.58–1). The obtained data show that CO₂ acts as an antisolvent in the system lycopene/EA/CO₂ in the range of CO₂/EA ratios studied. The solubility of lycopene is rather small with lycopene molar fractions ranging from 0.1 × 10⁻⁶ to 46 × 10⁻⁶. The solubility of lycopene increases with temperature, pressure and EA concentration.     

A predictive method for the solubility of drug in supercritical carbon dioxide

We present a predictive approach for the solubility of drug in supercritical CO₂. The fugacity of drug in the solid phase is estimated from its melting temperature and heat of fusion, and the fugacity of the drug in its hypothetical liquid state. The fugacity of the drug is calculated from the Peng–Robinson (PR) EOS. Temperature and composition dependence of the interaction parameters a(T,x) and b(x) of the PR EOS are obtained from the quantum mechanics-based, COSMO-SAC solvation model. As a consequence, the method does not require input of experimental data of the mixture. The average logarithmic deviation (ALD-x) in predicted solubility of 46 drugs in subcritical and supercritical carbon dioxide (T = 293.15–473 K, P = 8.5–50 MPa, and 1160 solubility data ranging from 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻²) was found to be 0.81 (a factor of 5.3). The same method was also examined for solid solubility in a variety of solvents (60 solids including 34 different solvents (with different polarities) and 190 drug-solvent pairs) at ambient pressure. The ALD-x was found to be slightly better (0.58 or a factor of 2.89). The proposed method, the PR + COSMOSAC EOS, is thus a useful tool for a priori prediction of solid solubility in scCO₂, as well as for other solvents.     

Exploiting microalgae as a source of essential fatty acids by supercritical fluid extraction of lipids: Comparison between Scenedesmus obliquus,Chlorella protothecoides and Nannochloropsis salina

Supercritical CO₂ extraction from microalgae is applied with the aim of obtaining an oil rich in α-linolenic (ALA) essential fatty acid and with a low ω6:ω3 ratio. The maximum extraction yield is obtained at 60 °C and 30 MPa with 0.4 kg/h of CO₂ and 5% of co-solvent (ethanol). When the effect of pressure, temperature and density on the supercritical extraction yield and solubility are studied, the thermodynamic cross-over is found at a pressure close to 30 MPa, while the extraction cross-over occurs at around 25 MPa. The experimental solubility data are correlated by literature empirical models. Mathematical models developed by Sovová are applied to describe the experimental extraction curves. Soxhlet extraction of lipids is also carried out, obtaining a similar fatty acids profile but proving to be less selective than SCCO₂ method. Among the three species of microalgae examined, results show that Scenedesmus obliquus oil is richer in ω-3 fatty acids and ALA than Chlorella protothecoides and Nannochloropsis salina lipids. The effect of the extraction parameters on ALA content and the fatty acid profile is also analysed, concluding that the ω-3 percentage is favoured by lower temperatures, lower pressures and shorter extraction times.     

Investigation of thermodynamic properties of the binary system polyethylene glycol/CO2 using new methods

The solubility and diffusivity of CO₂ in polyethylene glycols (PEGs) of different molecular weight measured by two different methods are discussed in the present work. Before solubility measurements, the melting temperatures of PEG with different molecular weights were determined by means of differential scanning calorimetry. For the purpose of the present study a temperature of 343 K was chosen as the working temperature for both employed methods since all studied polymers are in liquid state at this temperature. All samples were analyzed at isothermal conditions and in the pressure range from 0 MPa up to 30.0 MPa. A set of absorption experiments on the PEG/CO₂ systems was performed using an external balance method. In order to validate results obtained by the new method they were compared to the data obtained at the same process conditions by a method using magnetic suspension balance (MSB).     

Phase equilibrium of the CO2/glycerol system: Experimental data by in situ FT-IR spectroscopy and thermodynamic modeling

Phase equilibrium experimental data for the CO₂/glycerol system are reported in this paper. The measurements were performed using an in situ FT-IR method for temperatures ranging from 40 °C to 200 °C and pressures up to 35.0 MPa, allowing determination of the mutual solubility of both compounds. Concerning the CO₂ rich phase, it was observed that the glycerol solubility in CO₂ was extremely low (in the range of 10⁻⁵ in mole fraction) in the pressure and temperature domains investigated here. Conversely, the glycerol rich phase dissolved CO₂ at mole fractions up to 0.13. Negligible swelling of the glycerol rich phase has been observed. Modeling of the phase equilibrium has been performed using the Peng–Robinson equation of state (PR EoS) with classical van der Waals one fluid and EoS/G^E based mixing rules (PSRK and MHV2). Satisfactory agreement was observed between modeling results and experimental measurements when PSRK mixing rules are used in combination with UNIQUAC model, although UNIFAC predictive approach gives unsatisfactory representation of experimental behavior.     

Hydrogen solubility in CO2-expanded 2-propanol and in propane-expanded 2-propanol determined by an acoustic sensor

Hydrogen solubility in CO₂-expanded 2-propanol and in propane-expanded 2-propanol was obtained by an acoustic technique described elsewhere [L. Zevnik, J. Levec, Gas expanded liquids: Determination of the volumetric expansion by an acoustic technique, J. Supercrit. Fluids (2007), in press]. Solubility in CO₂-expanded 2-propanol at expansion coefficients V/V₀ = 2 and 4 was determined at 298 and 313 K. H₂ solubility was determined also in liquid CO₂ at 298 K and partial pressure of H₂ up to 6 MPa. Solubility in propane-expanded 2-propanol with V/V₀ = 2 and 4 was measured at 333, 353 and 393 K. Hydrogen mole fraction in liquid propane was obtained at 333 K and partial pressure of H₂ up to 5 MPa. For both expanded liquids the results show that hydrogen concentration increases with increasing V/V₀ ratio and with increasing temperature. It is demonstrated, however, that the acoustic technique is a reliable method for determination of gas composition and that it can be also implemented in various fields of gas processing.     

Solubility of thymol in supercritical carbon dioxide and its impregnation on cotton gauze

Through this study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the solubility of thymol in supercritical carbon dioxide as well to investigate a prospect of its impregnation on cotton gauze on laboratory scale. Solubility of thymol in supercritical carbon dioxide was determined at temperatures of 35 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C, and pressures ranging from 7.8 to 25 MPa (CO₂ density range 335.89–849.60 kg/m³) using a static method. The solubility data were correlated using semi-empirical equations introduced by Chrastil, Adachi and Lu and del Valle and Aguilera. Taking into account obtained results, temperature of 35 °C and pressure of 15.5 MPa were selected as operating conditions for the impregnation process. Impregnation of cotton gauze with thymol was performed in a cell using carbon dioxide as a solvent. Kinetics of the process was determined and modeled. Masses of thymol on cotton gauzes after 2 h and 24 h of impregnation were 11% and 19.6%, respectively. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of thymol on the surface of the cotton fibers. The impregnated gauze provided strong antimicrobial activity against tested strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans.     

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).     

In situ FTIR micro-spectroscopy to investigate polymeric fibers under supercritical carbon dioxide: CO2 sorption and swelling measurements

An original experimental set-up combining a FTIR (Fourier Transformed InfraRed) microscope with a high pressure cell has been built in order to analyze in situ and simultaneously the CO₂ sorption and the polymer swelling of microscopic polymer samples, such as fibers, subjected to supercritical carbon dioxide. Thanks to this experimental set-up, we have determined as a function of the CO₂ pressure (from 2 to 15 MPa) the CO₂ sorption and the polymer swelling at T = 40 °C of four polymer samples, namely PEO (polyethylene oxide), PLLA (poly-l-lactide acid), PET (polyethylene terephtalate) and PP (polypropylene). The quantity of CO₂ sorbed in all the studied polymers increases with pressure. PEO and PLLA display a significant level of CO₂ sorption (20 and 25% respectively, at P = 15 MPa). However, we observe that a lower quantity of CO₂ can be sorbed into PP and PET (7 and 8% respectively, at P = 15 MPa). Comparing their thermodynamic behaviors and their intrinsic properties, we emphasize that a high CO₂ sorption can be reach if on one hand, the polymer is able to form specific interaction with CO₂ in order to thermodynamically favor the presence of CO₂ molecules inside the polymer and on the other, displays high chains mobility in the amorphous region. PLLA and PEO fulfilled these two requirements whereas only one property is fulfilled by PET (specific interaction with CO₂) and PP (high chains mobility). Finally, we have found that for a given CO₂ sorption, the resulting swelling of the polymer depends mainly on its crystallinity.     

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.     

Phase equilibria for the 2-ethoxyethyl acetate and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate in supercritical CO2 at various temperatures and pressures up to 20 MPa

The (CO₂ + 2-ethoxyethyl acetate) and (CO₂ + 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate) systems at 313.2, 333.2, 353.2, 373.2 and 393.2 K as well as pressures up to 20.59 MPa have been investigated using variable-volume high pressure view cell by static-type. The solubility curve of 2-ethoxyethyl acetate and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate in the (CO₂ + 2-ethoxyethyl acetate) and (CO₂ + 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate) systems increases as the temperature increases at a constant pressure. The (CO₂ + 2-ethoxyethyl acetate) and (CO₂ + 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate) systems exhibit type-I phase behavior. The experimental results for the (CO₂ + 2-ethoxyethyl acetate) and (CO₂ + 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate) systems correlate with the Peng–Robinson equation of state using a van der Waals one-fluid mixing rule including two adjustable parameters. The critical properties of 2-ethoxyethyl acetate and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acetate are predicted with the Joback–Lyderson group contribution and Lee–Kesler method.     

Ovicidal activities of supercritical CO2 and N2O on Ascaris suum eggs

This study examined whether supercritical CO₂ and N₂O fluids are effective in inactivating Ascaris suum eggs, which were chosen as a model for parasite eggs. The treatments were carried out in a multibatch apparatus, in which, the eggs could be placed atop a solid surface (non-immersed condition) or in aqueous solution (immersed condition). Various CO₂ and N₂O phases—including gas (6 MPa, 30 °C), liquid (8 MPa, 30 °C), subcritical (10 MPa, 30 °C), and supercritical (10 MPa, 37 °C)—were tested with exposure times ranging from 1 to 20 min. Supercritical CO₂ and N₂O both showed a similar, strong ovicidal effect, requiring only 1 min in non-immersed conditions and 5 min in water-immersed conditions to achieve a 2.4-log inactivation. Subcritical CO₂ and N₂O showed a weaker ovicidal effect. The effect was significantly reduced for the gas and liquid phases, compared with the supercritical phases. This study reports that supercritical CO₂ and N₂O can be effectively employed as a non-thermal treatment technique to control parasite egg contamination in fecal matter and food.     

Astaxanthin extraction from Haematococcus pluvialis using CO2-expanded ethanol

Microalgae represent diverse branch of microorganism that can produce a wide range of unique functional ingredients that can be used in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and energy. Among them, Haematococcus pluvialis is known for accumulating the highest levels of a potent natural antioxidant, astaxanthin, which has demonstrated positive health effects. Therefore, the aim of numerous studies has been to develop novel and efficient extraction techniques to produce high-quality (purity and antioxidant activity) extracts, while complying with the Green Chemistry Principles. Supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) emerges as an alternative to organic solvents because of its high selectivity and bioactivity-preserving qualities. Nevertheless, astaxanthin is a large molecule with low solubility in scCO₂ that usually requires long extractions at high pressures. Ethanol has been used as co-solvent to increase astaxanthin solubility in scCO₂. In this work, a Box–Behnken experimental design was used to study the effects of operating pressure (20–35 MPa), temperature (40–70 °C), and ethanol content in scCO₂ (0–13%, w/w) on the yield, astaxanthin content, and antioxidant activity of H. pluvialis extract. Results showed that ethanol content in CO₂ has a more significant effect on all responses than pressure and temperature. These results lead us to investigate the effect of a further increase in ethanol content, up to the region of gas-expanded liquids. We studied the effects of temperature (30–60 °C) and ethanol content (50–70%, w/w) at a fixed pressure (7 MPa) on the same response variables using CO₂-expanded ethanol (CXE). Results showed that temperature and ethanol content had a significant influence on astaxanthin yield and antioxidant activity. Also, the overall responses of CXE surpassed scCO₂ extractions to match conventional extraction with acetone, maintaining high quality extracts, thus validating the use of this new type of green technology for extraction of high-value compounds.     

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.     

Effect of high-pressure gases on phase behaviour of solid lipids

The effects of CO₂, CHClF₂ and CH₂FCF under pressure on solid lipids were addressed by high-pressure differential scanning calorimeter (HP DSC). In particular, the influence on solid–liquid and solid–solid transitions were investigated for pure tristearin and a mixture of lipids (tristearin–phosphatidylcholine–dioctyl sulfosuccinate). Both of these substances are commonly used for the production of solid–lipid–nano-particles [1], [2], [3]. The experiments were carried at different operating pressures up to 7.0 MPa. The melting and solidification temperatures were measured for six gas–lipid systems.Interestingly, a hysteresis was observed in the solid–liquid and liquid–solid transitions. In addition, the formation of alpha and beta polymorphisms that are typical for lipids, were found to be affected by the system pressure. With regard to the experiments with CO₂, the results indicate a melting point depression as function of the gas pressure, up to 6 MPa. A similar trend to CO₂ was obtained using CHClF₂ at a lower pressure (0.75 MPa), however CH₂FCF₃ exhibits a weaker effect on the melting temperature depression compared to CHClF₂.These results indicate the possibility of processing liquid lipids and similar thermosensitive compounds in gas-assisted micronization processes under mild temperature conditions.