BIT’s fully automatic supercritical CO₂ extraction machine is a highly integrated CO₂ essential oil extraction device widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Utilizing the unique physical properties of CO₂ in its supercritical state, the machine dissolves and extracts target compounds from biomass. Adjusting the pressure and temperature of the CO₂ fluid maximizes the extraction of useful components and achieves selective separation. The machine is suitable for extracting and separating active ingredients such as volatile oils, fatty oils, coumarins, terpenes, alkaloids, and quinones.
1. What is CO₂ Extraction?
Supercritical CO₂ extraction is a technology that uses temperature and pressure to induce a phase change in CO₂, combining the extraction and separation processes into one.
- Temperature and Pressure: The process leverages the solvency of supercritical CO₂ fluid, allowing the extraction material to come into contact with the CO₂ fluid. Controlling temperature and pressure sequentially extracts components based on polarity, boiling point, and molecular weight, achieving complete or near-complete extraction of target compounds (e.g., CO₂ essential oils) for purification.
- CO₂ Extraction Yield: In biomass extraction (e.g., hemp with 4-7% oil content or vanilla with 5-6% oil content), the supercritical CO₂ extraction process can achieve a 100% yield of these essential oils, as it is one of the most powerful extraction methods available. For example, 100 grams of hemp or ginger can yield 4-7 grams of CBD oil or 5-6 grams of ginger essential oil, respectively.
At BIT, our supercritical CO₂ extraction machines ensure stable operating conditions, enabling the development of highly efficient and reliable methods for your production needs. Once parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, runtime, and density are set, the operator does not need to intervene in the CO₂ extraction cycle. Even the opening of all valves is controlled by the system, making it a truly fully automatic supercritical CO₂ extraction machine.
2. BIT’s Three Types of CO₂ Extraction Equipment
Based on extraction capacity, CO₂ extraction equipment is typically categorized into three types: benchtop CO₂ extraction machines, small-scale CO₂ extraction machines, and industrial-grade CO₂ extraction machines.
- Benchtop CO₂ Extraction Machine:
- Extraction capacity ranges from a few milliliters to 200 milliliters.
- Primarily used for small-scale CO₂ extraction experiments.
- Small-Scale CO₂ Extraction Machine:
- Extraction capacity ranges from 500 milliliters to 10,000 milliliters.
- Equipped with dual extraction vessels or a supercritical CO₂ fractionation column in special cases.
- Used for scaling up CO₂ extraction processes.
- Industrial-Grade CO₂ Extraction Machine:
- Extraction capacity ranges from 20 liters to 9,000 liters.
- Available in two structural types: frame-type and platform-type.
Frame-Type: Extraction vessels with capacities below 100 liters, or dual vessels of 100 liters and 150 liters in special cases.
Platform-Type: Combines three 100-liter or 150-liter extraction vessels with a larger vessel exceeding 150 liters.
3. BIT Industrial-Grade CO₂ Extraction Machine Standard Parameters
| Model | Capacity (L) | Extraction Capacity (24h/kg) | Working Pressure (MPa) | Extraction Vessels | Separation Vessels |
| P-10D | 20 (10L×2) | 27.5 | 50 | 2 | 2 |
| P-30D | 60 (30L×2) | 82.5 | 45 | 2 | 2 |
| P-50D | 100 (50L×2) | 137.5 | 40 | 2 | 2 |
| P-30F | 120 (30L×4) | 165 | 40 | 4 | 3 |
| P-50F | 200 (50L×4) | 275 | 40 | 4 | 2 |
| P-50S | 300 (50L×6) | 412.5 | 40 | 6 | 3 |
| I-150D | 300 (150L×2) | 412.5 | 40 | 2 | 3 |
| I-150T | 450 (150L×3) | 787.5 | 40 | 3 | 3 |
| I-200T | 600 (200L×3) | 1050 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
| I-300T | 900 (300L×3) | 1575 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
| I-500D | 1000 (500L×2) | 1375 | 35 | 2 | 3 |
| I-500T | 1500 (500L×3) | 2625 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
| I-600T | 1800 (600L×3) | 3150 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
| R-1000D | 2000 (1000L×2) | 2750 | 35 | 2 | 3 |
| R-1500D | 3000 (1500L×2) | 4125 | 35 | 2 | 3 |
| R-1000T | 3000 (1000L×3) | 5250 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
| R-2000D | 4000 (2000L×2) | 5500 | 35 | 2 | 3 |
| R-1500T | 4500 (1500L×3) | 7875 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
| R-3000D | 6000 (3000L×2) | 8250 | 35 | 2 | 3 |
| R-2000T | 6000 (2000L×3) | 10500 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
| R-3000T | 9000 (3000L×3) | 15750 | 35 | 3 | 3 |
Biomass 24-Hour Extraction Capacity Reference: Moisture content <10%, Density 0.25 kg/L
When selecting the appropriate supercritical CO₂ extraction machine, the most fundamental performance indicators are temperature, pressure, and flow rate. However, based on these three parameters, you need a machine customized to your specific extraction requirements.
4. Five Considerations for Choosing the Right Supercritical CO₂ Extraction Machine
Not all supercritical CO₂ extraction machines are the same. Almost no two machines are identical since each customer’s CO₂ extraction process requirements differ. A customized CO₂ extraction machine ensures it meets your intended use.
- Extraction Vessel Size: The primary factor in determining vessel size is the factory’s daily working hours, which dictates the number of extraction batches per day.
- Number of Extraction Vessels: Supercritical CO₂ extractors come in three configurations: single vessel, dual vessel, and triple vessel. Multiple vessels improve efficiency and save gas and energy.
- Separators (Collection Chambers): We recommend using at least two to three cascading separators to produce the highest quality extracts. This also allows for gradual pressure reduction, significantly improving overall quality.
- Pressure Rating of Extraction Vessels: Higher pressure typically means higher costs. Systems can range from 350 bar to 1050 bar. Notably, larger systems with higher pressure ratings become increasingly expensive. Depending on your extraction needs, a lower-pressure system may suffice.
- CO₂ Recovery System: Some CO₂ gas is lost during extraction. For vessels of 10 liters or smaller, the gas loss is negligible and may not justify the investment in a recovery system. However, for vessels larger than 10 liters, a CO₂ recovery system is essential to reclaim the gas.