1 research outputs found
High-power ultrasonic system for the enhancement of mass transfer in supercritical CO2 extraction processes
4 páginas, 6 figurasOil is an important component of almonds and other vegetable substrates that can show an influence on
human health. In this work the development and validation of an innovative, robust, stable, reliable and
efficient ultrasonic system at pilot scale to assist supercritical CO2 extraction of oils from different substrates
is presented. In the extraction procedure ultrasonic energy represents an efficient way of producing
deep agitation enhancing mass transfer processes because of some mechanisms (radiation pressure,
streaming, agitation, high amplitude vibrations, etc.).
A previous work to this research pointed out the feasibility of integrating an ultrasonic field inside a
supercritical extractor without losing a significant volume fraction. This pioneer method enabled to accelerate
mass transfer and then, improving supercritical extraction times. To commercially develop the new
procedure fulfilling industrial requirements, a new configuration device has been designed, implemented,
tested and successfully validated for supercritical fluid extraction of oil from different vegetable
substrates.Work supported by the National Research Project PETRI-PTR95-
075.OP.02. The authors would like to thank V.M. Acosta for his collaboration
in the design of the power transducers by FEM and their
development.Peer reviewe