Supercritical fluid
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Description
A material compressed and heated to a point above its thermodynamic critical point. Supercritical fluids (SCF) have the unique ability to penetrate materials like a gas while also dissolving materials like a liquid. Carbon dioxide and water are the most commonly used supercritical fluids. A temperatures and pressures above the thermodynamic critical point, a material's liquid phase and the gas phase will have equal densities and are indistinguishable.
Synonyms and Related Terms
SCF
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Table of critical values
Resources and Citations
- Sung Mo Kang, Achim Unger, J.J. Morrell, 'The Effect of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Color Retention and Pesticide Reduction of Wooden Artifacts' JAIC 43(2) 151-160, 2004.
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercritical_fluid (Accessed Dec. 9, 2005)