Publications Details
Oil, grease, and solvent removal from solid waste using supercritical carbon dioxide
Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction is being explored as a waste minimization technique for separating oils, greases, and solvents from solid waste. The contaminants are dissolved into the supercritical fluid and precipitated out upon depressurization. The carbon dioxide solvent can then be recycled for continued use. Definitions of the temperature, pressure, flowrate, and potential co-solvents are required to establish the optimum conditions for hazardous contaminant removal. Excellent extractive capability for common manufacturing oils, greases, and solvents has been observed in both supercritical and liquid carbon dioxide.