Separation or extraction method using supercritical fluids assisted by high-intensity ultrasound

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of applying high-intensity ultrasound in order to accelerate and improve the efficiency of the mass transfer method in supercritical fluids. The inventive method comprises the contact separation of a substance containing components that can be extracted with a solvent under supercritical conditions or conditions close to the critical point. The invention also relates to a device which has been developed in order to carry out said method and which is based on the generation of an intense stationary ultrasonic field inside a standard pressurised container for supercritical fluids. The invention further relates to the use of the inventive method for the separation or extraction of natural products which can be used in, for example, the agri-food, chemical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors.