The market for scCO2 can be divided into
different areas with varying degree of maturity according to the listing below.
|
| A. |
Extraction processes with isobaric product
recovery. Typically decaffeination processes where product is
"washed out" with water from a high-pressure chamber.
|
| B. |
Extraction processes with product recovery by
pressure reduction: Leading technology for hop extraction in
the world. Also spices and other natural products are actively
pursued. A commercial
scale extraction plant has been delivered to Aromtech
Oy, Tornio, Finland.
|
| C. |
Degreasing: Environmental friendly
alternative to chlorinated solvents for precision parts cleaning.
The first degreasing
application in Europe delivered to Husqvarna, Sweden.
|
| D. |
Debinding in Powder Injection Molding (PIM): This is a new exciting application for
scCO2 were Chematur recently has had commercial success. In the manufacturing of PIM (and the related Metal Injection Molding, MIM, and Ceramics Injection Molding, CIM) components, binders such as waxes and polymers must be removed before the final sintering. This step is often the bottleneck as it ties up the expensive oven for many hours. By using
scCO2 for part of the debinding to remove waxes, valuable capacity increase in the sintering oven can be gained, often together with improved quality. Chematur has one unit in successful operation at a client since 2002 and we are currently undertaking tests for new clients, using our in-house pilot plant. We welcome enquiries from new clients who would like to explore what benefits
scCO2 debinding can bring to them.
|
| E. |
Particle formation/antisolvent processes:
Several processes already running in pharmaceutical industry.
Ecoplanning has built a pilot plant
for MTT (Agricultural Research Centre of Finland) to be used for
crystallisation research.
|
| F. |
Chromatography processes: High potential in
the field of pharma- and nutraceuticals production. Chematur has
built a preparative scale SC-Chromatography
plant.
|
| G. |
Textile dyeing: Chematur has taken part in an
EU project and has built a pilot
unit. The pilot has been used to colour blended fabrics such
as wool/polyester and cotton/polyester which represent 80% of
fabrics coloured in the world.
|
| H. |
Reactions: Continuous hydrogenation,
hydroformylation, Friedel-Crafts reactions etc. Thomas
Swan and Nottingham
University have since 1995 in cooperation been involved in
research in this area. The results show that greatly enhanced
productivity and/or selectivity often can be achieved. Chematur is
now taking active part in this partnership. Thomas Swan has invested in a 500 to 1000 m.t./year facility that is designed and
supplied by Chematur. The plant is now in operation.
|
| scCO2 is also
used as a plastics foaming agent instead of conventional freon. |