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Supercritical CO₂ Extraction Machine

Supercritical CO2 Extraction Machine

large-scale supercritical CO2 extractor

Calculator for Essential Oil CO2 Extraction Machine

* Note: Material should be dried (moisture content <10%) and properly ground for optimal extraction efficiency

What is Supercritical CO2 Extraction?

Supercritical CO2 extraction is an eco-friendly and efficient method widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. By adjusting the CO2 temperature and pressure, it precisely extracts target compounds such as essential oils, active ingredients, and alkaloids.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction Machine

Advantages of Supercritical CO2 Extraction

  • High Purity Extraction: Avoids solvent residues and preserves active ingredients.
  • Strong Controllability: Adjusting temperature and pressure allows precise extraction.
  • Eco-friendly and Safe: CO2 is recyclable and causes no pollution.

BIT Fully Automated Supercritical CO2 Extraction Machines

BIT offers highly integrated, supercritical CO2 extraction machines suitable for different production scales, including benchtop, small, and industrial models.

Types of BIT CO2 Extraction Machines

  1. Tabletop CO2 Extractor: Ideal for laboratory research, with an extraction volume of 10ml to 200ml. [Learn More]
  2. Small CO2 Extraction Machine: Suitable for small-scale production, with a capacity of 500ml to 10,000ml.
  3. Industrial CO2 Extraction Machine: Designed for large-scale production, ranging from 20L to 9000L. It includes frame-type and platform-type structures.

How to Choose the Right Supercritical CO2 Extraction Machine?

Consider the following factors when selecting a machine:

  • Extraction Vessel Size: Determines daily batch extraction capacity.
  • Extraction Pressure Level: Higher pressure enhances extraction but increases cost.
  • Number of Separators: Using at least 2–3 cascade separators improves product quality.
  • CO2 Recovery System: Recommended for systems over 10L to reduce operating costs.

Biomass reference value for 24H extraction capacity: moisture content: <10%, specific gravity: 0.25KG/L

Case: Efficient Rose Essential Oil Extraction


Supercritical CO2 is ideal for premium oils like rose, lavender, and rosemary.

Process:

  1. Preparation: Use fresh/dried rose petals.
  2. Temperature: Maintain 30-40°C to protect aroma.
  3. Pressure: Apply 9-12 MPa for fragrance molecules.
  4. Separation: Dual separators remove waxes and pigments, yielding pure oil.

Compared to steam distillation, CO2 preserves heat-sensitive compounds, making it perfect for luxury skincare and perfumes.

Rose essential oil extraction in six simple steps

4 Key Tips to Improve Supercritical CO2 Extraction Efficiency

1. Control the Extraction Temperature

  • Increase Temperature: Enhances the extraction of waxes and resins, boosting yield.
  • Lower Temperature: Reduces wax content, improving oil purity.

2. Adjust the Extraction Pressure

  • Low Pressure (7–12 MPa): Best for extracting flavors and spices.
  • Medium Pressure (12–25 MPa): Ideal for essential and fatty oil extraction.
  • High Pressure (≥30 MPa): Suitable for highly polar active compounds.

3. Set the Optimal CO2 Flow Rate

  • Increasing the flow rate speeds up extraction and enhances the solvent capacity.
  • Excessive flow rate reduces interaction with materials and increases CO2 consumption.

4. Use Co-solvents for Better Efficiency

  • Adding 3% ethanol doubles lipid solubility.
  • In pepper oil extraction, 10% ethanol increases yield by 230%.
BIT supercritical CO2 extraction equipment workshop

ABOUT US

Borisbang Industrial Technology Co., Ltd. has been designing and producing supercritical fluid systems for more than 30 years.

BIT’s laboratory, pilot, commercial and industrial supercritical CO₂ extraction machines are sold worldwide. China’s market share exceeds 80%. Exports to the United States, Canada, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, France, Poland, Spain, Hungary, New Zealand, India, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Morocco and other countries.

NEWS & EVENTS

  • Supercritical CO2 Extraction: Principles and Industrial Applications of a Green Solvent Technology

    Supercritical CO2 Extraction: Principles and Industrial Applications of a Green Solvent Technology

    Traditional solvent extraction methods often rely on toxic organic solvents such as hexane, chloroform, and methanol. These solvents pose environmental hazards, health risks, and can leave harmful residues, especially when processing heat-sensitive compounds. In contrast, supercritical CO2 extraction offers a green, safe, and efficient alternative. It operates based on the supercritical CO2extraction principle, which takes […]

    Read More

  • Optimization of Total Flavonoid Extraction from Mint Using Supercritical CO2

    Optimization of Total Flavonoid Extraction from Mint Using Supercritical CO2

    1. Materials and Methods 1.1 Instruments and Equipment Learn about other best-selling models of supercritical CO2 extraction equipment [Read More] 1.2 Materials and Reagents (All reagents were of analytical grade.) 2. Experimental Procedure 2.1 Extraction of Total Flavonoids 100 g of mint powder was loaded into the vessel. CO2 and ethanol entered under supercritical conditions (>31.1 °C, […]

    Read More

  • Why Agarwood CO2 Extraction Failed: A Case Study in Low-Resin Wood

    Why Agarwood CO2 Extraction Failed: A Case Study in Low-Resin Wood

    This article presents a failed case study of agarwood oleoresin extraction using supercritical CO2 technology. Despite using standard extraction parameters, no significant yield of agarwood oil was obtained. Upon evaluation, the raw material was identified as white wood agarwood, which lacks the resin content and fragrance essential for successful extraction. The report analyzes the process, […]

    Read More


FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Products Can Be Extracted Using Supercritical CO2?

Supercritical CO2 extraction is suitable for essential oils, active compounds, medicinal extracts, and food ingredients, such as:

  • Essential Oils: Rose, lavender, rosemary, lemon, etc.
  • Food Compounds: Caffeine, piperine, capsaicin, tea polyphenols.
  • Medicinal Ingredients: Herbal extracts, alkaloids, polyphenols, sterols.

2. How Does Supercritical CO2 Extraction Compare to Traditional Solvent Extraction?

FactorSupercritical CO2 ExtractionTraditional Solvent Extraction
Solvent ResidueNo solvent residue, 100% naturalPossible organic solvent residue
TemperatureHigh-temperature extraction may degrade active ingredientsHigh-temperature extraction, may degrade active ingredients
Eco-friendlinessCO2 is recyclable and environmentally friendlySome solvents may harm the environment
Extraction EfficiencyTargets specific compounds with high precisionMay extract multiple impurities, requiring additional refinement

3. Is an Additional Solvent Required?

CO2 alone can extract most compounds. However, adding ethanol or water as a co-solvent can improve efficiency for highly polar compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids.

4. Does CO2 Extraction Affect Product Flavor?

No. CO2 extraction occurs in a low-temperature, oxygen-free environment, preserving the extract’s natural aroma and flavor. This makes it ideal for premium food, spices, and cosmetics.

5. Are CO2 Extraction Machines Expensive to Maintain?

Maintenance costs mainly include replacing seals, cleaning pipelines, and maintaining the CO2 recovery system. Overall, operational costs are low since CO2 is recyclable, reducing consumption.

6. How to Select the Right CO2 Extraction Machine?

Consider capacity, pressure range, number of separators, and CO2 recovery system. If unsure, contact us for expert recommendations.