superkriitiline

Superkriitiline is an Estonian adjective meaning “supercritical.” In thermodynamics, it describes a state of matter that occurs when a substance is at a temperature above its critical temperature and at a pressure above its critical pressure. In this state, liquid and gas phases are not distinguished, and the substance forms a single, homogeneous phase with properties between those of a liquid and a gas.

The concept rests on the critical point, a characteristic combination of temperature and pressure specific to each substance. Above the critical point, the substance’s density and solvating power can be continuously tuned by changing pressure, while viscosity and diffusion remain intermediate between liquid-like and gas-like behavior. This makes supercritical fluids useful in various applications because they can act as solvents with adjustable strength without changing phase.

Common examples include supercritical carbon dioxide, which becomes supercritical at about 31.1 degrees Celsius and 73.8 bar. It is favored in food and pharmaceutical industries for extractions, decaffeination of beverages, and essential oil recovery due to its low toxicity and ease of removal. Other substances used in supercritical form include certain organic solvents and water in subcritical conditions that approach supercritical regimes.

In everyday language, superkriitiline is primarily encountered in technical and industrial contexts, especially in chemical engineering, materials science, and process design. The term reflects both a literal translation of supercritical and a practical reference to the unique, tunable properties of fluids above their critical point.