Process and installation for the separation of heavy and light compounds by extraction using a supercritical fluid and nanofiltration

摘要

PCT No. PCT/FR95/01638 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 10, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 10, 1997 PCT Filed Dec. 11, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/18445 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 20, 1996A process and installation for the separation of heavy and light compounds is provided. According to the process, a solid or liquid phase containing the compounds to be separated is contacted with a supercritical fluid in an extractor, after which the supercritical fluid containing compounds leaving the extractor undergo nanofiltration for recovering a permeate flow containing the light compounds and a retentate flow containing the heavy compounds. The invention has particular utility for separating fats in food stuffs such as butter or fish oil.