Where Oil and Water Mix: Researchers Explore Use of Near-Critical Water for Replacing Conventional Solvents

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Under normal conditions, oil and water don't mix. But "near-critical" water -- very hot but still liquid water at temperatures of 250 to 300 degrees C and pressures of 1,000 psi -- can be a good solvent for both salts and non-polar organic compounds, including oils. This makes ordinary water an ideal reaction solvent for certain chemical processes. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are studying a wide range of chemical processes in search of applications where the special properties of this "near-critical water" might provide both economic and environmental advantages.

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Last Updated October 2, 2000