SFT SFT-110 Supercritical Fluid Extraction System
| Brand | SFT |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Product Origin | Imported |
| Model | SFT-110 |
| Price | USD $300,000 |
| Max Temperature | 300 °C |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Extraction Vessel Volume Options | 10, 25, 50, 100 mL |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 68.9 MPa (10,000 psi) |
| CO₂ Flow Rate | Up to 25 mL/min |
| Extract Collection Modes | Solid-phase extraction cartridge, solvent soak/liquid trap, or direct collection |
| Cooling System | Peltier-based electronic chiller |
| Flow Meter Range | 0–9.5 SLPM (for CO₂ gas phase) |
| Pump Type | Dual-plunger electric-driven CO₂ pump with sapphire pistons, Furon seals, and aluminum pump head |
| Back Pressure Regulator | Heated, adjustable micro-circulation metering valve |
| Preheater | Fully integrated and factory-calibrated |
| Compliance | Designed for ASTM D7560, ISO 14721, and USP <467> residual solvents methodology support |
Overview
The SFT SFT-110 Supercritical Fluid Extraction System is a fully automated, benchtop-scale platform engineered for precision supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide as the primary solvent. It operates on the principle of tunable solvent strength via pressure and temperature modulation near and above CO₂’s critical point (31.1 °C, 7.38 MPa), enabling selective extraction of thermolabile, nonpolar to moderately polar analytes—including lipids, essential oils, alkaloids, cannabinoids, and pesticide residues—without thermal degradation or organic solvent residue. The system integrates closed-loop fluid handling, real-time pressure/temperature control, and programmable extraction sequences to support method development, process optimization, and regulatory-compliant sample preparation in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, environmental, and food safety laboratories.
Key Features
- Single-channel modular architecture with interchangeable extraction vessels (10, 25, 50, and 100 mL stainless-steel options), each independently controllable for flow distribution and back-pressure regulation.
- High-fidelity dual-plunger CO₂ pump featuring sapphire pistons, Furon polymer seals, and an actively heated/cooled aluminum head—capable of delivering stable flow up to 25 mL/min at pressures up to 68.9 MPa (10,000 psi) with pressure-setpoint feedback control.
- Heated, micro-circulation metering back-pressure regulator (BPR) ensures precise pressure maintenance during dynamic flow conditions and prevents precipitate-induced clogging.
- Integrated Peltier-based electronic cooling system maintains subcritical CO₂ liquid phase integrity upstream of the pump and supports condensate management in collection lines.
- Factory-installed and calibrated preheater assembly delivers consistent thermal conditioning of CO₂ prior to the extraction vessel, minimizing thermal lag and improving reproducibility.
- Three collection configurations supported: solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge trapping, solvent-assisted soaking/liquid trap recovery, and direct cold-trap condensation—enabling flexibility across analyte polarity and volatility profiles.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The SFT-110 accommodates solid, semi-solid, and powdered matrices—including botanicals, soil, tissue homogenates, and polymer-bound residues—within its standard stainless-steel extraction vessels. Optional stainless-steel mesh sample baskets with lids facilitate uniform packing and prevent channeling. The system conforms to key international method frameworks: it supports ASTM D7560 (determination of residual solvents in polymers), ISO 14721 (environmental analysis of persistent organic pollutants), and USP (residual solvents in pharmaceuticals). Its pressure and temperature logging capabilities—paired with optional audit-trail-enabled software—align with GLP and GMP documentation requirements under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when configured with electronic signature and data integrity modules.
Software & Data Management
The SFT-110 operates via a dedicated Windows-based control interface that enables full sequence programming—including ramp/soak temperature profiles, multi-step pressure gradients, timed co-solvent injection (via optional coaxial or modular modifier addition), and automatic BPR adjustment. All operational parameters (pressure, temperature, flow rate, elapsed time) are logged at user-defined intervals (minimum 1 Hz) and exported in CSV or XML format. Raw data files include embedded timestamps, operator ID fields, and instrument serial metadata—facilitating traceability and integration into LIMS or ELN platforms. Optional software packages provide IQ/OQ documentation templates, electronic signature workflows, and alarm event history with root-cause tagging.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical R&D: Isolation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from natural sources; removal of residual solvents from synthesized intermediates.
- Cannabis analytics: Selective decarboxylation-coupled extraction of THC, CBD, and terpenes without chlorophyll co-extraction.
- Food & flavor chemistry: Decaffeination of coffee/tea; recovery of volatile aromatics and omega-3 fatty acids from marine biomass.
- Environmental testing: Extraction of PCBs, PAHs, and organochlorine pesticides from sediment and biota samples per EPA Method 3545A equivalents.
- Materials science: Polymer purification, nanoparticle surface functionalization, and removal of catalyst residues from synthetic polymers.
FAQ
What is the maximum allowable operating pressure of the SFT-110 system?
The system is rated for continuous operation up to 68.9 MPa (10,000 psi), with pressure transducers calibrated and certified to NIST-traceable standards.
Can the SFT-110 perform dynamic extraction with co-solvent modulation?
Yes—optional co-solvent delivery modules enable programmable ethanol, methanol, or acetone addition at rates up to 2 mL/min, synchronized with pressure/temperature ramps.
Is the system compatible with GLP-compliant data archiving?
When equipped with the optional Audit Trail & Electronic Signature Package, the SFT-110 meets ALCOA+ principles and supports 21 CFR Part 11 compliance for regulated environments.
How is extract recovery quantified post-run?
Gravimetric yield determination is performed offline using analytical balances; optional inline UV-Vis or FTIR flow cells can be integrated for real-time concentration monitoring.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the CO₂ pump seals?
Furon seals are rated for ≥500 hours of continuous operation at 60 MPa; preventive replacement is advised every 6 months under typical lab usage (20 hrs/week).
