Supercritical Fluid

 

            First, let us define what a supercritical fluid is . A supercritical fluid (SCF) is a substance at a temperature and pressure above its critical temperature and pressure. The critical point represents the highest temperature and pressure at which the substance can exist as a vapor and liquid in equilibrium. It has the unique ability to diffuse through solids like a gas, and dissolve materials like a liquid. That, and it can easily change in density with just minor changes in temperature or pressure. These properties make it good as a substitute for organic solvents. Below is a model showing where a supercritical fluid is in a phase diagram.

The supercritical fluid area is found by passing the critical point of liquid and gas where it goes beyond the highest temperature and pressure of a fluid in a phase diagram table. Supercritical fluids have solvent power similar to a light hydrocarbon for most solutes. However, fluorinated compounds are often more soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide than in hydrocarbons. This increased solubility is important for polymerization (where some small molecules can join together to make very long molecules called polymers). The fluids are completely miscible with permanent gases (examples of these are Nitrogen gas and Hydrogen gas) and this leads to much higher concentrations of dissolved gases than can be done in the usual solvents

The context of Supercritical Carbon dioxide

Supercritical carbon dioxide is a fluid state of the carbon dioxide where it exceeds beyond the critical point of both liquid and gas, having a higher pressure and temperature. It is used as the extraction solvent for creation of essential oils and other similar herbal solutions. Its main advantages over solvents such as hexane and acetone in this process are that it is non-toxic and non-flammable. Furthermore, separation of the reaction components from the starting material is much simpler than with traditional organic solvents. The carbon dioxide can evaporate into the air or be recycled by condensation into a cold recovery vessel. Its advantage over steam distillation is that it operates at a lower temperature, which can separate the plant waxes from the oils.

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in daily basis

In real life applications, supercritical carbon dioxide is used in various products. Supercritical carbon dioxide is for instance used by coffee manufacturers as a decaffeinating solvent, because of its low toxicity and environmental impact. It could also be used to power electricity, essential products for real life basis and even use in experiments like in this link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z-KbcLs-yo

An imaginative story to understand Supercritical Carbon Dioxide entitled “Hells Angel”

 

Picture a caped hero whose insignia is an s on his chest and perfect hair. Supercritical fluid is the mutant superhero equivalent in chemistry.  The critical fluid is one who defies fate  and spits in the boundaries that humans have made and exists beyond both liquid and solids maximum pressure as well as temperature ( usually maximum).

The protagonist of this story “SCFCD” (supercritical fluid, carbon dioxide) has transcended the critical point wherein a substance can exist as both liquid and gas.

Herein lies a list of our protagonist‘s superpowers:

1. May diffuse through solids like a gas. A useful power to surely nab hastily sketched villains in pitch black colored pages.
2. Dissolves, absolutely disappears in materials like a liquid. Impossible to catch.
3. Changes easily in density with just minor changes in temperature or pressure.

These allow the protagonist so sit in for organic solvents.

Our hero inhabits the space as you can see that exists above and beyond liquid and gas.  He has a solvent power similar to light hydrocarbons, I had forgotten to mention that, I do apologize.  But one should that those who mix with his group ( fluorinated compounds),  are much more easily accepted socially by supercritical Carbon dioxide as compared to that ass hydrocarbons  ( shh, don’t judge, I did my research on this guy). This is important for the minions we call polymers to link up and allow for a larger civilization to start. I do believe they have made chains long enough to bind Fenrir wolf at last.

Supercritical carbon dioxide A.K.A “captain adolescent” is in a phase, a liquid version of his large, well known successful parents. Captain adolescent is oft seen making or being used for essential oils and herbs, poor guy, parents must be so disappointed.  The main thing he gives that others don’t is that his non toxic,  way less than those bums hexane and acetone. That, and he has less of a tendency to cause flames.

His just so much more organic, making the job of separating solvents easier. I worked with him on that once, nice guy. Steam distillation, ugh, don’t start me on that guy, captain adolescent makes him seem obsolete, captain adolescent works even at the freaking Antarctic.

All in all, those of the race supercritical fluid are adaptable and are excellent for use in whatever necessary. To power electricity, and other essential products. Just remember, never underestimate the power of one whose cage has just been broken.

References:
What is Supercritical CO2 Extraction(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.scimed.co.uk/supercritical-co2-extraction/

Poliakoff, S.(2001, January).An Introduction to Supercritical Fluids. Retrieved from https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/supercritical/scintro.html

Discovery – Can Chemistry Save The World? – BBC World Service

Supercritical carbon dioxide(2018, August 8). Supercritical carbon dioxide. Retrieved from https://www.greenfacts.org/glossary/pqrs/supercritical-carbon-dioxide.htm

About Supercritical Fluids(2018). Retrieved from http://www.supercriticalfluids.com/company-information/about-supercritical-fluids/

Liksztet, E. (2018, March 21). GTI Article: Increasing Natural Gas Power Generation Efficiency with Supercritical CO2 Power Cycles Retrieved from https://wgc2018.com/gti-article-increasing-natural-gas-power-generation-efficiency-with-supercritical-co2-power-cycles/

Supercritical CO2 does not help visualize ionizing alpha particles(2011). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2pMDqQAAzI

Supercritical fluids(2011). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEr3NxsPTOA

What are Supercritical fluids?(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.extratex-sfi.com/Supercritical

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