SFT SFT-110 Series Supercritical Fluid Extraction System

Overview

The SFT SFT-110 Series Supercritical Fluid Extraction System is a fully automated, benchtop-scale platform engineered for precision supercritical fluid processing using carbon dioxide (scCO₂) as the primary extractant. Based on the fundamental thermodynamic principle that CO₂ above its critical point (31.1 °C, 1,070 psi) exhibits tunable solvent strength—modulated via pressure and temperature—the SFT-110 enables selective, non-thermal extraction of thermolabile compounds including essential oils, polyphenols, cannabinoids, lipids, and residual solvents from botanicals, polymers, and pharmaceutical matrices. Its modular architecture supports single- or multi-vessel configurations (up to four independent extraction cells), each with dedicated flow control and back-pressure regulation, ensuring reproducible mass transfer kinetics and quantitative recovery across heterogeneous sample types.

Key Features

• Electric dual-plunger CO₂ pump rated to 10,000 psi with sapphire pistons, Furon® polymer seals, and aluminum pump head—designed for long-term stability under high-cycle operation.
• Independent, heated micro-circulation metering back-pressure valves per extraction vessel, enabling precise pressure maintenance (±5 psi) and dynamic gradient programming during fractionation.
• Temperature-controlled preheater and Peltier-cooled flow path components ensure thermal stability of scCO₂ prior to and after the extraction cell—critical for maintaining phase integrity and minimizing flash vaporization losses.
• Integrated mass flow measurement (0–9.5 SLPM) for gaseous CO₂ and volumetric flow control (0–25 mL/min) for liquid CO₂, both calibrated traceably to NIST standards.
• Modular collection subsystem supporting three validated modes: solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridge trapping, solvent soak/liquid trap recovery, and direct condensation into chilled receivers—each configurable with real-time pressure and temperature logging.
• Optional co-solvent delivery module permits controlled introduction of polar modifiers (e.g., ethanol, methanol) at ≤5% v/v, extending solvation capacity for higher-molecular-weight analytes without compromising scCO₂’s environmental advantages.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SFT-110 accommodates solid, semi-solid, and powdered samples—including plant biomass, spent coffee grounds, microbial pellets, polymer films, and formulated tablets—within standardized stainless-steel extraction vessels (10–100 mL). Vessel geometry and internal frit porosity are optimized for uniform flow distribution and minimal channeling. All wetted surfaces comply with USP Class VI biocompatibility requirements and meet ASME B31.3 process piping standards for high-pressure service. The system architecture supports audit-ready data integrity: all pressure, temperature, flow, and time-stamped events are logged with cryptographic hashing and stored in an encrypted SQLite database compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic record requirements when paired with optional LIMS integration.

Software & Data Management

The embedded Windows-based control interface provides real-time visualization of all process parameters, programmable multi-step methods (including ramp-hold sequences for temperature/pressure gradients), and automatic method validation reporting. Raw sensor data—including transducer outputs from strain-gauge pressure sensors (0.1% FS accuracy), RTD temperature probes (±0.2 °C), and Coriolis-type flow meters—is timestamped at 10 Hz and exported in CSV or ASTM E1702-compliant XML format. Audit trails record user login/logout, method edits, and calibration events with immutable timestamps. Optional remote monitoring via secure TLS-enabled web API allows integration into centralized laboratory informatics systems for cross-platform batch traceability.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical R&D: Residual solvent removal from active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) per ICH Q3C guidelines; lipid nanoparticle purification for mRNA delivery systems.
• Natural Products: Selective decaffeination of green coffee beans; isolation of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis; terpene fractionation from Cannabis sativa biomass.
• Materials Science: Extraction of plasticizers from recycled PVC; pore structure conditioning of aerogels and MOFs prior to BET surface area analysis.
• Food Safety: Rapid screening of pesticide residues in spices and herbs using scCO₂–ethanol mixtures, followed by GC-MS/MS quantification.
• Environmental Analysis: Recovery of PAHs and PCBs from soil/sediment reference materials under EPA Method 3545A-equivalent conditions.

FAQ

What safety certifications does the SFT-110 carry?

The system is CE-marked per Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and PED 2014/68/EU for pressure equipment. All high-pressure components undergo hydrostatic proof testing at 1.5× MAWP and are supplied with third-party ASME Section VIII Div. 1 certification documentation.
Can the system be validated for GMP manufacturing use?

Yes—when configured with IQ/OQ documentation packages, 21 CFR Part 11-compliant software, and calibrated transducers with NIST-traceable certificates, the SFT-110 meets Annex 15 qualification requirements for extractive unit operations in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Is training and application support included with purchase?

SFT provides on-site installation verification, operator training covering method development, preventive maintenance, and emergency shutdown protocols, plus access to an online knowledge base with SOP templates and peer-reviewed method libraries.
How is CO₂ replenishment managed during extended runs?

The system interfaces with standard 50-L liquid CO₂ dewars via stainless-steel cryogenic supply lines. An integrated level sensor triggers automatic switchover to a secondary dewar, enabling unattended operation for >72 hours.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the CO₂ pump?

Furon® seals and sapphire piston surfaces require inspection every 500 operational hours; full pump rebuild kits—including replacement check valves with ruby/sapphire balls—are available with documented torque specifications and leak-test procedures.