The influence of high-intensity ultrasound on supercritical CO2 extraction of oil from particulate almonds was studied. An ultrasonic transducer was installed inside a high pressure 5 L extractor and a power of 50W was applied during the extraction. All experiments were performed at 280 bar and 55ºC with and without ultrasound in order to examine the effects of the acoustic waves. The experiment al results showed that the kinetic parameter, considering the process as a second order reaction, was improved about 30% due to ultrasonic radiation and the oil extraction yield was enhanced in about 20% at the end of the process (8.5 h). For design purposes, the experimental data were described applying two empirical models (Naik and Weibull) as well as the model proposed by Sovovà.
E. Riera, Y. Golás, A. Blanco, J.A. Gallego-Juárez, J. García-Reverter, S. Subirats
Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids, Tome 1, 28-30 April, 2003, Versailles (France), Ed. Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine, ISBN 2-905-267-37-02
