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Welcome to SCF U: Supercritical Fluids University!
Why SCF is "critical" to your education
Let's start with the basics. There are TWO questions you should know the answers to before we can move on:
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What is a Supercritical Fluid?
Carbon dioxide is in its supercritical fluid state when both the temperature and pressure equal or exceed the critical point of 31°C and 73 atm (see diagram). In its supercritical state, CO2 has both gas-like and liquid-like qualities, and it is this dual characteristic of supercritical fluids that provides the ideal conditions for extracting compounds with a high degree of recovery in a short period of time. |
CO2 Phase Diagram
 
By controlling or regulating pressure and temperature, the density, or solvent strength, of supercritical fluids
can be altered to simulate organic solvents ranging from chloroform to methylene chloride to hexane. This dissolving
power can be applied to purify, extract, fractionate, infuse, and recrystallize a wide array of materials.
Because CO2 is non-polar, a polar organic co-solvent (or modifier) can be added to the supercritical fluid for processing polar compounds. By controlling the level of pressure/temperature/modifier, supercritical CO2 can
dissolve a broad range of compounds, both polar and non-polar.
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Why do you need to know about Supercritical Fluids
It's the Environment! It's Nanotechnology! It's NOW!
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It's Easy Being Green!
Carbon dioxide is one of the most commonly used supercritical fluids.
CO2 is:
- Safe
- Inexpensive
- Readily available
- An ideal substitute for many hazardous and toxic solvents
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CO2 is not produced in the the SCF process.
Existing CO2 is merely used.
There is NO addition to any greenhouse effect.
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Teach your students Supercritical Fluids and prepare them for the GREEN economy!
SCF is the NOT the wave of the future. SCF is NOW!
Applied Separations is here to help you get up and running in YOUR classroom with the Spe-ed SFE Prime!
Spe-ed SFE Prime
Applied Separations has created the first teaching tool for Supercritical Fluids. Safe and affordable, this instrument is perfect for the classroom.
Supercritical Fluids for Education
Green Chemistry is NOT the wave of the future. It's already here!
Classroom Aides
Applied Separations is excited to offer you all the help you'll need to teach SCF to your students.
Student Application Notes
In addition to our Classroom Aides, we'll provide you with notes for classroom-appropriate applications.
SCF Resources
SCF is everywhere... but we're happy to give you the best of the best information out there.
Green-I-Am will teach YOU!
Watch our video of the perky Green-I-Am as she persuades Professor Ol'School to make the switch to Supercritical Fluids!
Applications
We have compiled a comprehensive list of SCF applications available for free. Click here to view the list of the SCF applications you can put to use immediately in your lab.
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