Subcritical and supercritical technologies for waste treatment and recovery

Objectives

Processes using supercritical fluids are cutting-edge technologies that enable particularly effective cleaning, extraction, or transformation operations. Thanks to their specific physicochemical properties, these fluids offer high-performance alternatives that are potentially more environmentally friendly than conventional processes. Several technologies are already being deployed on an industrial scale in sectors such as agri-food. In the field of waste management, certain supercritical solutions have also demonstrated their technical effectiveness. However, their development often faces significant limitations, including energy constraints, high costs, equipment complexity, and industrialization difficulties. This study will provide a forward-looking overview of the potential applications of these technologies for waste treatment and recovery, taking into account technical and economic obstacles as well as environmental benefits.