superkriittisen

Superkriittinen refers to a state of matter that exists at temperatures and pressures above a substance's critical point. In this supercritical state, a substance exhibits properties of both a liquid and a gas. It can diffuse through solids like a gas, yet dissolve materials like a liquid. This unique behavior makes supercritical fluids highly useful in various industrial and scientific applications.

The critical point is a specific temperature and pressure at which the liquid and gas phases of a substance become indistinguishable. Above this point, the substance is no longer classified as purely liquid or gas but as a supercritical fluid. The density of a supercritical fluid can be finely tuned by adjusting the pressure and temperature, allowing for precise control over its solvent properties.

One of the most common and well-known supercritical fluids is supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). This substance is widely used in decaffeination processes for coffee and tea, as well as in the extraction of oils and flavors from natural products. Supercritical water is another important example, utilized in waste treatment processes to break down hazardous organic compounds. The tunability and environmental friendliness of many supercritical fluids contribute to their growing importance in green chemistry and sustainable industrial practices.