Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a composition that is very rich in squalene produced by fermentation of micro-organisms. The method is characterized in that it comprises a purification step selected from the group including: supercritical CO2 extraction in a multi-stage counter-current fractionation column with extract reflux, and short-path molecular distillation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a composition rich in lutein produced by microalgae, particularly microalgae belonging to the Chlorella genus, more specifically produced by Chlorella vulgaris, characterized in that said method includes the sequence of the following steps: 1) preparing a cell lysate from the microalgae biomass; 2) treating the lysed microalgae biomass with a polar solvent, preferably ethyl acetate, in order to obtain an oleoresin containing the lutein and the lipids from the initial biomass; 3) extracting the oleoresin obtained in step 2) by means of a non-polar solvent, here a fluid at supercritical pressure, in order to obtain a fraction rich in non-polar lipids, mainly consisting of triglycerides, and an insoluble fraction rich in lutein; and 4) recovering the thus lutein-enriched fraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a composition rich in lutein produced by microalgae, particularly microalgae belonging to the Chlorella genus, more specifically produced by Chlorella vulgaris, characterized in that said method includes the sequence of the following steps: 1) preparing a cell lysate from the microalgae biomass; 2) treating the lysed microalgae biomass with a polar solvent, preferably ethyl acetate, in order to obtain an oleoresin containing the lutein and the lipids from the initial biomass; 3) extracting the oleoresin obtained in step 2) by means of a non-polar solvent, here a fluid at supercritical pressure, in order to obtain a fraction rich in non-polar lipids, mainly consisting of triglycerides, and an insoluble fraction rich in lutein; and 4) recovering the thus lutein-enriched fraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a composition that is very rich in squalene produced by fermentation of micro-organisms. The method is characterised in that it comprises a purification step selected from the group including: supercritical CO2 extraction in a multi-stage counter-current fractionation column with extract reflux, and short-path molecular distillation.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sample consisting of biological tissue in a solid matrix includes steps of: contacting the sample with a first compressed fluid stream wherein the matrix is soluble so as to extract the solid matrix, contacting the sample with a second compressed fluid, adapted to impregnate the tissue with an aqueous or water-soluble substance, evacuating the second compressed fluid gradually and in controlled manner, recovering the sample.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sample consisting of biological tissue in a solid matrix includes steps of: contacting the sample with a first compressed fluid stream wherein the matrix is soluble so as to extract the solid matrix, contacting the sample with a second compressed fluid, adapted to impregnate the tissue with an aqueous or water-soluble substance, evacuating the second compressed fluid gradually and in controlled manner, recovering the sample.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making very fine particles containing at least an active principle inserted in a host molecule and a device for implementing said method. The method is characterized in that it consists in forming a solution of the active principle in a first liquid solvent and of a product formed by the host molecules in a second liquid solvent, then in contacting the resulting solutions with a supercritical pressure fluid, so as to precipitate the host molecules which are dissolved therein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for capturing very fine particles present in a fluid flux in liquid, gaseous or supercritical state and a device therefor. The method is characterized in that it comprises steps which consist in: causing said flux to pass through a filtering element (13); stopping the emission of said flux; countercurrent clearing of the filtering material (31) with a carbon dioxide flow under pressure, so as to drive the particles deposited on the filtering material (31); countercurrent expanding of the flux, so as to trap the particles within a solid carbon dioxide snow-type mixture formed during its expansion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for fractionating cooking oil, in particular frying oil, using a solvent with supercritical pressure. The method is characterized in that it comprises steps which consist in: contacting, in a mixer, the cooking oil with the solvent with supercritical pressure; separating the resulting mixture into two phases in a decanter, namely a light phase and a heavy phase; decompressing the light phase and the heavy phase so as to recuperate the solvent, and the treated oil and the treatment residues respectively.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making very fine particles containing at least an active principle inserted in a host molecule and a device for implementing said method. The method is characterized in that it consists in forming a solution of the active principle in a first liquid solvent and of a product formed by the host molecules in a second liquid solvent, then in contacting the resulting solutions with a supercritical pressure fluid, so as to precipitate the host molecules which are dissolved therein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining solid particles from at least a water soluble product, characterized in that it comprises steps which consist in: forming a solution of said product in an aqueous phase, producing an emulsion, or a micro-emulsion, consisting of said aqueous mixture and a polar organic phase, contacting said emulsion, or said micro-emulsion, with a fluid at supercritical pressure, or a liquefied gas, so that the latter extracts the organic phase and the water, thereby precipitating the formed solid particles of the water soluble product, and collecting the resulting formed particles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an installation for setting in adsorbed state, on a porous support, compounds contained in a product comprising a first step which consists in extracting the compounds by contacting the product with at least a solvent at supercritical pressure to obtain a mixture of extracts and solvent. The method is characterized in that it comprises a second step which consists in eliminating the water contained in the mixture of extracts and solvent, adjusting the temperature and pressure conditions so as to obtain, a first phase consisting of solvent in gaseous state and a second phase consisting of a mixture of liquids formed of solvent and extracts of the products; causing said two phases to trickle through a porous support adapted to adsorb the extracts; vaporizing the solvent contained in the second phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fractionating mixtures comprising separation elements which are series mounted and mounted in a closed loop. Said device is characterized in that the solvent used is a supercritical pressurized fluid, each of the separation elements is made of a membrane separation, it comprises means for injecting the solvent at a pressure which is greater than the critical pressure thereof and for maintaining the pressure in said loop at a value which is above critical pressure, and it further comprises means for injecting the diluent and for maintaining the pressure thereof at a value which is similar to the value of the pressure of the solvent (S) in each of the areas (I, II, III, IV).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for encapsulating fine solid particles in the form of microcapsules. Said method is characterised in that it comprises steps which consist in forming a suspension of said particles in a liquid consisting of at least a coating agent in intimate contact with a fluid having a pressure lower than its critical pressure, so as to saturate said suspension, spraying said fluid-saturated suspension through expansion means, and collecting the microcapsules in the gas stream resulting from decompression.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for collecting and encapsulating with a coating agent particles dispersed in a fluid at supercritical pressure and an installation for implementing said method. Said method is characterised in that it comprises steps which consist in: expanding said fluid at a pressure less than its critical pressure, so as to bring it to a gaseous state; causing said gas to trickle down in a liquid consisting of a solution substantially saturated with the coating agent in a solvent in which the particles are insoluble, so as to exact at least partially the solvent; and causing the coating agent to precipitate onto the particles thereby forming microcapsules.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for capturing very fine particles generated by a process using a supercritical pressurized fluid and a device therefor. Said method is characterized in that it consists in percolating, in a capture chamber, said fluid loaded with particles through a receptor bed consisting of granules.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for capturing very fine particles present in a fluid flux in liquid, gaseous or supercritical state and a device therefor. The method is characterized in that it comprises steps which consist in: causing said flux to pass through a filtering element (13); stopping the emission of said flux; countercurrent clearing of the filtering material (31) with a carbon dioxide flow under pressure, so as to drive the particles deposited on the filtering material (31); countercurrent expanding of the flux, so as to trap the particles within a solid carbon dioxide snow-type mixture formed during its expansion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fractionating mixtures comprising separation elements which are series mounted and mounted in a closed loop. Said device is characterized in that the solvent used is a supercritical pressurized fluid, each of the separation elements is made of a membrane separation, it comprises means for injecting the solvent at a pressure which is greater than the critical pressure thereof and for maintaining the pressure in said loop at a value which is above critical pressure, and it further comprises means for injecting the diluent and for maintaining the pressure thereof at a value which is similar to the value of the pressure of the solvent (S) in each of the areas (I, II, III, IV).

Abstract: A composition containing polyunsaturated fatty acid glycerides is purified by means of supercritical fluid fractionation in one or more countercurrent columns operated either with internal reflux achieved by a temperature gradient along the column or with an external reflux achieved through external regulation of the pressure, and using as the solvent a mixture of supercritical CO2 and a polar co-solvent. Oligomeric and malodorous impurities in particular can be successfully removed by this process, which also can, if desired, be followed, or preceded, by another supercritical fluid fractionation with supercritical C02 under conditions adjusted so as to favor fractionation of the glyceride components.

Abstract: A process for obtaining an aerogel from a polymeric material that is in the form a sol-gel in an organic solvent, by exchanging the organic solvent for a fluid having a critical temperature below a temperature of polymer decomposition, and supercritically drying the fluid/sol-gel. The process is carried out in a semi-continuous mode that includes the steps of contacting the initial sol-gel with a stream of the fluid at different pressures and temperatures through n+1 pressure vessels A.sub.0 to A.sub.n that each have an inlet for fluid VI.sub.i and an outlet for effluent VO.sub.i wherein the n+1 pressure vessels are operated dependently on each other through a joint fluid supply system and a joint effluent treatment system so that the respective product in each of the pressure vessels A.sub.0 to A.sub.n is submitted to the fluid in successive steps with pressure and temperature following a curve that never cuts the vaporization curve in the pressure-temperature diagram of FIG. 1.