Isco, Inc.

Dale L Clay

Robert W Allington

Daniel G Jameson

Robin R Winter

Dale A Davison

Yoossef Tehrani

Henry L Walters

Dale Messer

Phillip B Liescheski

Philip Bernard Liescheski, Iii

Phillip Bearnard Liescheski, Iii

To provide performance particularly in handling supercritical extraction systems, a specially designed pump includes a cam-driven, single-plunger with a cam having a profile that enables the pumping system to avoid destructive reverse torque on the cam, gear train and drive motor after the cam passes top dead center. The plunger includes a seal having one side in contact with the supercritical fluid and a mechanism for supporting and aligning the piston on the other side of the seal to maintain the piston in alignment. The piston drive has Hertzian contact with the piston. The fluid volume leaving the pump is determined by measuring only pressure or other parameters related to flow and movement of the plunger. Measurement of the fluid volume leaving the pump is useful for recording or indicating the flow rate while the pump is operating.

Apparatus and method for super critical fluid extraction

A multiple chamber sample holding cartridge is used with a supercritical fluid extractor that causes membranes dividing the cartridge into chambers to rupture upon the pressurization of the sample cartridge, thereby allowing the intermixing of materials contained in the chambers. The neutral oil and loss determination of soybean and other oilseed oils by supercritical fluid extraction is efficient with this two-chambered sample cartridge.

Multi-chambered supercritical fluid extraction cartridge and processes using it

An apparatus for supercritical extraction is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a plurality of containers adapted to hold a different one of a corresponding plurality of samples, a first transport means for carrying the plurality of sample containers, and a second transport means for transporting a selected container from the first transport means to a supercritical extractor. The supercritical extractor includes a heating means having a recess for receiving the selected container, means for passing fluid at a supercritical condition through the selected container, and a receiving means for receiving extractant from the selected container. A programming means is provided to control the first and second transport means.

Apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction

To collect analyte from a supercritical fluid extractor, the collector lifts vials into place by a biasing means that guides the file up to the restrictor where it is sealed. The vial can be moved back down from the collecting mechanism even if frost forms on the vial while the restrictor means remains stationary. This vial is held in place by a guide that contains the seal for sealing the vial when it is raised in place.

Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction

To provide performance particularly in handling supercritical extraction systems, a specially designed pump includes a cam-driven, single-plunger with a cam having a profile that enables the pumping system to avoid destructive reverse torque on the cam, gear train and drive motor after the cam passes top dead center. The fluid volume leaving the pump is determined by measuring only pressure or other parameters related to flow and movement of the plunger. Measurement of the fluid volume leaving the pump is useful for recording or indicating the flow rate while the pump is operating.

Multi-chambered supercritical fluid extraction cartridge

In a piston pump for pumping liquid carbon dioxide at a temperature below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and pressures at least as high as 7500 psi, the volume leaving the pump is determined by measuring only pressure or other parameter related to flow and movement of the plunger. The position of the piston is measured and the resulting displacement is integrated to determine volume of fluid pumped.

Apparatus and method for pumping supercritical fluid and measuring flow

In a piston pump for pumping liquid carbon dioxide at a temperature below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and pressures at least as high as 7500 psi at an outlet flow rate in excess of 10 milliliters per minute, the inlet to the pump and the pumphead are each cooled by thermoelectric heat exchangers that are air cooled. The pump is a cam-driven, single-plunger pump with a cam profile that enables the pumping system to avoid distructive reverse torque on the cam, gear train and drive motor after the cam passes top dead center. The volume leaving the pump is determined by measuring only pressure or other parameter related to flow and movement of the plunger. The piston of the pump is supported on both sides of the seal and the support for the piston within the pumphead are machined consentrically and colinearly to the seal gland.

Apparatus and method for thermoelectric cooling of an extraction fluid

To supply supercritical fluid to an automatic supercritical fluid extractor and collect extract from the extractor, sample holding cartridges are lifted one by one in series by an elevator plug into a pressure chamber. An inlet at the top of the cartridge engages a pressure vessel inlet for the extractant so that extractant flows into the cartridge and into the space between the cartridge and inner walls of the pressure chamber. The outlets from the cartridge and pressure vessel communicate with the collector and exhaust through passageways in the plug. The plug has cleaning ports for cleaning seals and the outlet from the cartridge flows past the seals. The collector lifts vials into place and can precool the collection solvent, and later as part of the collection procedure, heat and pressurize the collector.

To pump supercritical carbon dioxide into a supercritical extractor without overpressure in the reservoir and to record the volume being delivered, the pumping speed is controlled and the volume pumped is determined from a pressure-related signal used in a feedback circuit. The feedback controls the velocity of pumping in conjunction with programmed values to avoid destructive reverse torque. A cam in the pump controls piston stroke, has a depressurization portion with an initial slope equal to but in the opposite direction of the final slope, rounded transition slopes, increasing linear velocity to the refill portion and constant velocity in the refill portion.

An apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction incorporates a removable extraction cartridge which in operation has insignificant pressure difference between its inside and outside walls. Because of the low pressure difference, the extraction cartridge need not have the strength to withstand significant pressure and can be made out of molded plastic for disposable use as well as stainless steel and/or machined plastic for reusability. The extraction cartridge can be removed and opened for sample access without the use of tools. The outside of the cartridge can be purged after it is installed in a heated high pressure vessel to remove contamination from its exterior. In one embodiment, the extractor includes a fraction collector for extractants, an automatic sample changer and an automatic cartridge transfer mechanism which provide completely automated extractions.

Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction or supercritical

An apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction incorporates a removable extraction cartridge which in operation has insignificant pressure difference between its inside and outside walls. In one embodiment, the extractor includes a fraction collector for extractants, an automatic sample changer and an automatic cartridge transfer mechanism which provide completely automated extractions. To automatically perform extraction, valves for the fluids are automatically opened and closed in synchronism with the insertion and removal of the cartridges. These valves force a hard valve element into a softer valve seat with a valve stem that does not rotate significantly under the control of a rotary motor.

An apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction incorporates a removable extraction cartridge which in operation has insignificant pressure difference between its inside and outside walls. Because of the low pressure difference, the extraction cartridge need not have the strength to withstand significant pressure and can be made out of molded plastic for disposable use as well as stainless steel and/or machined plastic for reusability. The extraction cartridge can be removed and opened for sample access without the use of tools. The outside of the cartridge can be purged after it is installed in a heated high pressure vessel to remove contamination from its exterior. In one embodiment, the extractor includes a fraction collector for extractments, an automatic sample changer and an automatic carteidge transfer mechanism which provide completely automated extractions.

Growing community of inventors

Lincoln, NE, United States of America

Dale L Clay