The cyclonic separator is different compared to the gravimetric separator — while S1 works by gravity force, S2 works by centrifugal force. The fluid moves very quickly, creating a vortex inside the vessel. The fluid continues to spin and the particles of extract begin to separate moving toward the walls of the separator, sliding to bottom. This separator applies the cyclonic effect to separate fractions. The flow creates a cyclone inside this separator and all the compounds in the fluid are condensed along the internal walls of the vessel. The temperature of the walls determines which compound will be condensed.
With this operation, we can obtain lighter solutes, and clean up the CO2. Our machines are equipped with two cyclonic separators, which are separator 2 (S2) and 3 (S3). The first one (S1) is the gravimetric separator. S2 and S3 have one important difference:
- Separator 2 is heated, therefore the condensation point is high and light lipid-soluble compounds are collected here.
- Separator 3 is cooled, therefore the condensation point is very low and water and light water-soluble compounds are collected here
- System then pauses when all three vessels are completed until operator presses “continue,” etc. (Up to five steps are possible.)
