Lab supercritical CO2 high pressure system

INTRODUCTION

HXCHEM offer high pressure reactor used for supercritical foaming. There is electric driven bottom valve for foaming, and one receiving tank set under the bottom of pressure reactors.This is one system produced by HXCHEM, and export to Singapore.

Stage 1: Dissolution & Saturation

The solid polymer (as pellets, a sheet, or powder) is placed inside the reactor. The vessel is sealed, heated above the critical temperature, and pressurized with scCO₂. The system is held at these conditions for a specific time (saturation time) to allow the scCO₂ to fully dissolve and plasticize the polymer, significantly reducing its glass transition temperature (Tg).

20Liters high pressure foaming system, high pressure reactor with bottom electric discharge valve & receiver tank.

Stage 2: Nucleation & Growth

This is the critical foaming step, triggered by a rapid thermodynamic change.

Batch Foaming (Most Common): The pressure is rapidly released (in seconds). This drastic pressure quench drastically reduces the gas solubility in the polymer, causing the supersaturated scCO₂ to nucleate into billions of tiny bubbles that then grow.

Temperature-Induced Foaming: Alternatively, the system can be rapidly heated after saturation to decrease gas solubility and induce foaming.

Stage 3: Stabilization & Cooling
The grown foam structure is stabilized by cooling it down (often while still under a small gas pressure) until the polymer matrix solidifies, "freezing" the cellular structure in place. The final product is then unloaded from the reactor.