SFT SFT-120XW Supercritical Fluid Extraction System
| Brand | SFT |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | SFT-120XW |
| Maximum Temperature | 200 °C |
| Number of Extraction Vessels | 1–5 |
| Extraction Volume Range | 10–1000 mL |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 10,000 psi |
| CO₂ Flow Rate | up to 25 mL/min |
| Compliance | Designed for ASTM D7674, ISO 18392, and USP <467> residual solvent analysis workflows |
| Software | SFT-Control v5.2 with 21 CFR Part 11-compliant audit trail |
Overview
The SFT SFT-120XW Supercritical Fluid Extraction System is an engineered platform for precision supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide as the primary solvent. It operates on the principle of tunable solvation power—leveraging the density-dependent solvent strength of supercritical CO₂ above its critical point (31.1 °C, 1070 psi)—to selectively isolate target analytes from complex solid or semi-solid matrices. Unlike conventional liquid-phase extraction, SFE eliminates thermal degradation risks and avoids organic solvent residues, making it ideal for thermolabile compounds, natural product isolation, pharmaceutical impurity profiling, and environmental sample cleanup. The system is fully automated, integrating closed-loop pressure regulation, Peltier-assisted fluid preheating and cooling, and real-time mass flow monitoring to ensure process repeatability across analytical, method development, and small-batch preparative applications.
Key Features
- Modular multi-vessel architecture supporting 1–5 independent extraction vessels (10–1000 mL volume options), enabling parallel processing for statistical reproducibility studies or rapid multi-component screening.
- High-pressure CO₂ delivery system featuring dual-piston, stepper-motor-driven pump with sapphire pistons, Furon® seals, and stainless-steel fluid paths—rated for continuous operation at 10,000 psi with flow stability ±0.5% FS.
- Programmable micro-circulation back-pressure regulator (BPR) per vessel, allowing precise pressure control (±5 psi) and dynamic gradient elution via coordinated temperature–pressure ramping.
- Integrated Peltier-based cooling module maintains CO₂ subcooling prior to pumping, minimizing cavitation and ensuring consistent fluid phase behavior during start-up and transient conditions.
- Heated extraction vessel jacket with PID-controlled thermal management (ambient to 200 °C, ±0.3 °C stability) and optional inert gas purge capability for oxygen-sensitive samples.
- Expandable co-solvent delivery: supports both inline coaxial injection (for polar modifiers ≤10% v/v) and external syringe pump integration compliant with GLP traceability requirements.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The SFT-120XW accommodates diverse sample formats—including powdered botanicals, polymer pellets, soil cores, tissue homogenates, and spent catalysts—via standardized stainless-steel mesh baskets with removable lids. All wetted components comply with FDA-approved materials (ASTM F2136, USP Class VI). System validation protocols align with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for testing laboratories and support full GMP/GLP documentation packages, including IQ/OQ/PQ templates. Pressure transducers are NIST-traceable; temperature sensors meet ASTM E220 calibration standards. The system meets mechanical safety requirements per ASME B31.3 Process Piping Code and CE PED 2014/68/EU directives.
Software & Data Management
SFT-Control v5.2 provides intuitive method scripting, real-time parameter logging (pressure, temperature, flow, elapsed time), and automated report generation in PDF/CSV formats. Audit trail functionality satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, including electronic signatures, user role-based access control, and immutable event logs with timestamped operator IDs. Raw data files are stored in vendor-neutral HDF5 format for third-party analytics interoperability. Optional LIMS integration via OPC UA enables seamless workflow handoff to enterprise laboratory information systems.
Applications
- Natural product isolation: Caffeine, curcumin, and essential oil recovery from plant biomass with >92% selectivity vs. Soxhlet.
- Pharmaceutical residue analysis: Residual solvent removal from APIs per ICH Q3C guidelines and extractables/leachables profiling per USP <1663>.
- Polymer purification: Removal of monomers, initiators, and catalyst residues from synthetic polymers without chain scission.
- Environmental remediation: PCB and PAH extraction from contaminated sediments under EPA Method 3545A-equivalent conditions.
- Food safety testing: Mycotoxin cleanup from cereal matrices prior to LC-MS/MS quantification.
- Materials science: Supercritical drying of aerogels and nanoparticle surface functionalization via in-situ co-solvent reaction.
FAQ
What safety certifications does the SFT-120XW hold?
The system is certified to ASME B31.3, PED 2014/68/EU, and carries UL/CSA listing for electrical safety in North America and Europe.
Can the system be integrated into an existing lab automation framework?
Yes—via Ethernet-connected Modbus TCP or optional RS-485 interface, supporting bidirectional communication with SCADA and central process control systems.
Is method transfer possible between the SFT-120XW and industrial-scale SFE systems?
Absolutely—the system’s scalable design and dimensionless operating parameters (e.g., reduced pressure, reduced temperature) enable direct linear scale-up using established correlations from the literature (e.g., McHugh & Krukonis, Supercritical Fluid Engineering, 2nd ed.).
Does the software support automated calibration verification?
Yes—built-in calibration check routines verify pressure transducer linearity, thermocouple drift, and mass flow sensor zero-point stability at user-defined intervals, generating compliance-ready calibration certificates.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for high-throughput operation?
Seal replacement every 500 operational hours; pump lubrication every 1,000 hours; annual NIST-traceable recalibration of all primary sensors is advised for regulated environments.
