SFT SFT-130A Automated Supercritical Fluid Extraction System
| Brand | SFT |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Product Origin | Imported |
| Model | SFT-130A |
| Max Temperature | 200 °C |
| Extraction Volumes | 100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, 1000 mL |
| Max Pressure | 10,000 psi (689 bar / 68.9 MPa) |
| Max CO₂ Flow Rate | 500 mL/min |
Overview
The SFT SFT-130A Automated Supercritical Fluid Extraction System is an engineered platform for precise, repeatable, and fully programmable supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide (CO₂) as the primary solvent. Operating on the principle of tunable solvent strength via pressure–temperature control above CO₂’s critical point (31.1 °C, 73.8 bar), the system enables selective fractionation of thermolabile, nonpolar to moderately polar compounds—including lipids, essential oils, cannabinoids, alkaloids, and pesticide residues—without thermal degradation or residual organic solvents. Designed for research laboratories, method development centers, and quality control environments, the SFT-130A integrates high-pressure fluid handling with closed-loop process automation, supporting both batch and dynamic extraction modes under ISO/IEC 17025-aligned operational rigor.
Key Features
- Fully automated extraction protocol execution: Predefined temperature, pressure, flow rate, static/dynamic time, and collection sequences are loaded via touchscreen interface or remote software client.
- Modular extraction vessel configuration: Interchangeable stainless-steel cells (100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL, and 1000 mL) permit scalability from analytical screening to preparative-scale isolation without hardware modification.
- High-fidelity pressure and temperature control: Dual PID-regulated heating jackets and servo-controlled back-pressure regulators maintain stability within ±0.5 °C and ±5 psi across the full operating envelope (ambient to 200 °C; up to 10,000 psi).
- Integrated CO₂ delivery architecture: Optimized mass flow control supports consistent delivery at rates up to 500 mL/min (STP), with real-time monitoring of solvent consumption and phase behavior indicators.
- Remote operation and audit-ready logging: Ethernet-enabled controller allows secure LAN/WAN access; all process parameters, timestamps, alarms, and operator actions are timestamped and stored in encrypted binary logs compliant with ALCOA+ data integrity principles.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The SFT-130A accommodates solid, semi-solid, and powdered matrices—including botanicals, soils, foodstuffs, polymers, and pharmaceutical dosage forms—without requiring derivatization or extensive pre-treatment. Its pressure-rated vessels and leak-tested manifold meet ASME B31.3 Process Piping Code requirements for high-pressure gas service. The system supports method validation per ICH Q2(R2), ASTM D7986 (cannabinoid quantification), and USP <2021> Supercritical Fluid Chromatography guidelines. Data acquisition and user access controls align with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records and signatures when deployed in GxP-regulated environments.
Software & Data Management
Control and monitoring are managed through SFT’s proprietary Windows-based SFE-Studio software, which provides a validated GUI for method creation, real-time parameter visualization (pressure/temperature/flow trend plots), and post-run report generation (PDF/CSV). Audit trails record all method edits, run initiations, and parameter overrides with user ID and timestamp. Raw log files are exportable for third-party statistical analysis or LIMS integration via ODBC drivers. Software updates follow a documented change control process, and version history is maintained per ISO 9001:2015 Clause 7.5.3.
Applications
- Phytochemical isolation: Selective extraction of terpenes, flavonoids, and minor cannabinoids from hemp and cannabis biomass.
- Environmental analysis: Recovery of persistent organic pollutants (e.g., PCBs, PAHs) from sediment and biota samples prior to GC-MS quantification.
- Food and flavor chemistry: Decaffeination of green coffee beans, hop oil recovery, and lipid removal from fish meal without oxidation.
- Pharmaceutical R&D: Excipient-free purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and removal of residual solvents from crystalline intermediates.
- Materials science: Polymer impurity profiling and cleaning of microelectronic substrates using CO₂–co-solvent systems.
FAQ
What safety certifications does the SFT-130A hold?
The system carries CE marking for machinery (2006/42/EC) and pressure equipment (2014/68/EU), and complies with UL 61010-1 for laboratory electrical safety.
Can the system be integrated with downstream analytical instrumentation?
Yes—fraction collectors support timed or pressure-triggered eluent diversion, and optional interfaces enable direct coupling to HPLC autosamplers or FTIR flow cells via analog/digital I/O.
Is method transfer between SFT-130A units supported?
All methods are stored in portable XML format; calibration coefficients and sensor offsets are unit-specific but transferable via encrypted configuration files validated during startup.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for long-term reliability?
O-rings and check valves require inspection every 200 operational hours; pressure transducers are factory-calibrated annually, and full system leak testing is advised before each new matrix type introduction.
Does the system support co-solvent delivery?
Yes—optional dual-pump modules allow precise metering of methanol, ethanol, or acetone (up to 15% v/v) into the supercritical CO₂ stream with independent flow control and vaporization management.
