"With our Innovative and Enterprising Identity, We Lead the Industry "

Hello Mr. Alper, can we get to know you first? Could you briefly talk about your duties and responsibilities at Polat Makina?

I started my career at Uğur Soğutma A.Ş. in 2018. I started as an Assistant Metal Works Specialist in the Metal Works Department, and gained experience in metalworking and process management in the Metal Works Department for more than two years. Subsequently, towards the end of 2020, we came across with Polat Makine AŞ. and I started to work as Supercritical Fluid Extraction Systems Design Engineer.
As an R&D engineer, we have to offer completely user-oriented solutions and we are working hard for this. Before starting SAES design, literature research on the machine, components and related parameters should be done and well analyzed. 

For the technical evaluation of customer needs, we pre-evaluate the information received from the sales department within the scope of the machine type determination process. After ensuring that the
customer’s sample is analyzed and documented in the laboratory in accordance with the sample analysis process, we ensure that the product type and necessary configurations are determined for the appropriate SAES projects. In addition to the duties such as preparing, controlling and ensuring the implementation of the documents required to be prepared within the Quality Management System; we have responsibilities such as ensuring the up-to-dateness of machinery equipment in the purchasing process, especially in long-term deadlines in foreign purchases, ensuring that the equipmen is kept in warehouse stock and after-sales customer satisfaction. We will continue to steer the sector with our innovative and enterprising side that we have gained in the R&D Center.

Could you briefly tell us about Supercritical Fluid Extraction Systems?

Supercritical Fluid Extraction is a new technique used in medicinal and aromatic plant processing technology. The solvent, which we describe as fluid in the system, is in the supercritical phase, the fourth state of matter, at the appropriate temperature and pressure where gas and liquid phases can coexist. At conditions above this critical temperature and pressure, the solvent is defined as the supercritical fluid.

It is passed into the supercritical phase by being pressurized and heated with fluid, high pressure pump. The supercritical fluid is fed to the extractor containing the product. The fluid, together with the extract that needs to be separated or collected, is sent to the separator by passing through a pressure reducing valve. Due to the pressure difference, the extract is collected in the separator and taken out. The fluid separated from the extract is transferred to the accumulator to be fed back into the system, thus completing the cycle.

The most important feature of a supercritical fluid is its density, which varies with pressure and temperature. By changing these norms, the extraction is given selectivity. In addition, thanks to their high diffusion feature, they penetrate the materials very quickly. These features facilitate the separation process and provide a high reaction rate.

Not every supercritical fluid can dissolve all matter to the same extent. At this point, the correct fluid selection should be made by considering the critical temperature and pressure values of the fluid. Then we choose the carbon dioxide as the right fluid because it is non-toxic, non-corrosive and non-flammable, economical, recyclable, non-hazardous, inert, low viscosity and low critical temperature.

Considering these features, most biological applications are restricted to use of CO2.

What are the sectors addressed by the product, in which areas it is used, can we get information about these issues?

These systems are generally used to obtain extracts from plants. Especially abroad, it is in demand for medical cannabis processing. The benefits of the extract obtained from medical cannabis to human health have led to an increase in the demand in this field.

Supercritical fluid extraction systems are used not only in herbal extraction but also in many sectors. To give an example, it has entered many sectors such as separation of biochemical mixtures in pharmacy,separation of caffeine from coffee, removal of cholesterol from meat (the desired substance is not only obtained from the product, but also the product is purified by separating the unwanted substance), fractionation of low steam pressure oils in chemistry, fabric dyeing in textiles, electricity from supercritical CO2 power cycle in energy.

We know that Supercritical Fluid Extraction Systems will be produced industrially in Turkey for the first time. How will the fact that this product is produced in our country contribute to the industry?

The Supercritical Fluid Extraction Systems project managed to be among the top10 projects supported in Turkey within the scope of the “Technology Oriented Industry Move” program carried out by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. This project prepared by Polat Makina
San. Ve Tic. A.Ş, will contribute directly and indirectly to the country’s economy by minimizing foreign dependency due to being a high-tech product and a wide range of products, as well as being a first in Turkey on supercritical fluid extraction systems.

If necessary steps are taken in the cultivation and processing of medical cannabis in our country, it will have a positive effect on meeting the medical need for the domestic market, it will make a great contribution to the creation of export volume of the processed products
(both hemp and other aromatic plants) for the foreign market and to earn foreign currency for our country.

Food-plant basic processing methods have created demands such as speed in the process and an increase in efficiency, without sacrificing quality, due to reasons such as increasing world population and developing technology, energy saving, increasing the capacity
utilization rate and reducing the cost. Supercritical fluid extraction system offers effective solutions by responding directly to these demands. In addition to these demands, since C02 is used as fluid in the system, it is very important that the system is completelyenvironmentalist and never causes environmental pollution.

It is said that the product increases the quality in the sectors where it is used. What is the most important reason for this?

Here, the most important point affecting product quality is temperature. In the pressing method, which is known as cold press from traditional methods, the casting mouth is exposed to some heat to facilitate the flow of the material. During the pressing process, heat
may cause damage to the product in terms of aroma, taste, colour and nutritional value. The low critical temperature value of carbon dioxide ensures pure and quality products.

If we examine the fabric dyeing quality, no additional process chemicals are needed to dissolve the dyes. Thanks to Supercritical fluid extraction system, the dyes are used 100% pure and the fabrics are obtained as processed in the quality they entered into the process.

If we consider the issue from another perspective; components such as ammonia and propane can also be considered as supercritical fluids. However, as ammonia is toxic and is not suitable for food contact, they are not used. Propane is explosive, it is dangerous at
high temperature and pressure, it is necessary to work carefully. Considering these features,
including other fluids not mentioned, most biological applications are restricted to use of C02. In this way, both quality products are obtained/ processed and completely harmless and environmentalist systems become widespread.