Fractional extraction by supercritical carbon dioxide for the deterpenation of bergamot oil

Supercritical fluid extraction of bergamot oil was carried out in the semib atch operation and continuous countercurrent operation to improve the oil q uality through selective separation between terpenes and oxygenated compoun ds. Vapor-phase equilibria for the quasi-ternary system were measured by a semibatch extraction with a uniform temperature column at the temperature r ange from 313 to 353 K and the pressure range from 7.8 to 10.8 MPa Internal reflux induced by the temperature gradient along the column improved the s eparation selectivity. For a continuous operation, the effect of pressure o n the separation selectivity was investigated.