Supercritical water technology compounds

Sanjay Amin, a student of Michael Modell at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, first discovered in the mid-1970s the effect of supercritical water for decomposition of organic compounds without forming tar [19]. 

The destruction of hazardous chemical wastes by oxidation in supercritical water is a promising new technology which has several advantages over conventional methods of toxic chemical waste disposal. Although the feasibility of the supercritical water oxidation process has been demonstrated, there is little kinetic information available on the underlying reaction mechanisms. We have recently determined the oxidation kinetics of several model compounds in supercritical water, and now report on our results of the oxidation of methanol, a conunon industrial solvent, in supercritical water. Globd kinetic expressions are presented and our attempts to model the reaction using a free-radical mechanism with 56 elementary reactions are discussed. The inability of the elementary reaction model to represent oxidation in supercritical water is demonstrated and future model modifications are discussed. 

The use of supercritical fluids as alternatives to organic solvents is revolutionising a huge number of important science areas (24). Scientific applications vary from established processes, such as the decaffeination of coffee and the extraction and synthesis of active compounds, to the destruction of toxic waste in supercritical water, the production of nanoparticles and new materials, to novel emerging clean technologies for chemical reactions and extraction. 

Spent hops with water in order to solubilize polyphenols and pectins. Hops extracts can also be produced with supercritical CO2 technology. Hops extracts are used primarily for bittering purposes. The advantage is that the extracts are obtained at a low temperature, which keeps the volatile compounds in higher concentrations (Bamforth 2003, Hardwick 1995, Hough et al. 1993, Pollock 1979, Priest and Stewart 2006). 

Direct or technology use use of C02 with different technologies and market applications such as use for oil recovery, for dry cleaning, waste carbonation, food, water treatment or extraction with supercritical C02 compounds, including others. 

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