University of Kansas

David J Bochniak

Bala Subramaniam

Roger A Rajewski

Processes and apparatuses are provided for continuously harvesting particles from organic solution-laden near-critical and supercritical fluids. Broadly, the processes and apparatuses utilize a filter or separator comprising a thin membrane supported on a sintered stainless steel tube. A feed stream comprising the desired particles, a supercritical antisolvent for the particles (preferably CO.sub.2), and a solvent for the particles, is contacted with the membrane layer of the filter under supercritical conditions for the mixture of antisolvent and solvent. The preferred antisolvents are substantially miscible with the solvent and have a critical temperature of less than 160.degree. C. The desired particles are retained by the filter while the solvent and most of the antisolvent pass through the filter, resulting in separation of the particles from the solvent.

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Norwalk, CT, United States of America

David J Bochniak