Solid crystallization by rapid expansion of supercritical ternary mixtures

The objective of the present work was to examine the effect of a solid entr ainer in the RESS-process. A RESS-equipment with two extraction columns run ning in series was used to perform the experiments. Salicylic acid or phena nthrene was used as a solute and benzoic acid as a cosolute. The presence o f the cosolute modifies solid crystal size distribution, since it alters so lute solubility in the: supercritical phase. Homogeneous solid mixtures are obtained after expansion. Alternatively, if the aim is to precipitate a pu re compound, solid-solid separation could be aided by selective adsorption into an adsorbent. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.