Supercritical Fluid Extraction is the process of extracting oils and resins from plants and herbs utilizing the special properties of CO2, or other solvents such as IPA. When these solvents are cooled and compressed, they have the density of a liquid and the dispersion properties of a gas. This is then able to penetrate the product and dissolve the oils or other components wanted. When the pressure is reduced, the solvent will then either evaporate harmlessly into the atmosphere, or be recovered and recompressed. The end result leaves only the concentrated extract.

Because processing materials using the Batch method is time consuming, Crown Iron is developing a method to operate the Supercritical/HPLE unit continuously, yielding lower operating costs, and a more efficient operation. While the procedure is not ready to be commercialized, the research has shown great results to this date, and is very much an ongoing process.

• HPLE (High Pressure Liquid Extraction) uses solvents such as CO2 or alcohols.
• Extraction occurs at low temperatures and for very short periods of time thereby reducing the heat input to the oil.
• Our work to date indicates that phospholipids are not extracted by the CO2 creating a top quality oil very suitable for refining.
• HPLE delivers residual oil contents in the range of 2% to 4%, which is more favorable to Full Press Plants that leave 6 to 8% residual oil in the meal.
• HPLE can work with whole or cracked beans at 10 to 11% moisture eliminating much of the preparation equipment required with Solvent Extraction or Screw Press Plants.
• Continuous operation should lower operating costs for Supercritical Extraction as compared to existing CO2 technologies.