Experiments and simulation of counter-current extraction (Subcritical fluid separation) by supercritical CO₂with hops-extract ethanol solution

Experiments and simulation of counter-current extraction by supercritical CO₂with hops-extract ethanol solution were carried out at temperatures of 313–353 K and pressures of 5–12 MPa for continuous fractionation of hops-extract. The correlation equation for the vapor-liquid distribution coefficient of solutes based on entropy-based solubility parameter was applied to the counter–current extraction simulation, which revealed that flavor compounds were highly fractionated at higher temperatures and higher pressures in the experimental conditions studied in this work. In contrast, it was found that resin components were likely to fractionate in the raffinate phase. From these results, highly effective separation of hops-extract was observed in this system.