Device for separating soluble component and insoluble component from solid raw material, and method for separating soluble component and insoluble component from solid raw material using same

The apparatus efficiently separates soluble and insoluble components from solid raw materials using a stirring and evaporation system, improving separation efficiency and reducing solvent use and environmental burden.

WO2026141436A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-07-02KANSAI CHEM ENG CO LTD +1

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
KANSAI CHEM ENG CO LTD
Filing Date
2025-12-23
Publication Date
2026-07-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional solid extractors, such as the Soxhlet extractor, often fail to efficiently separate soluble and insoluble components from solid raw materials due to varying solubility in extraction solvents.

Method used

A separation apparatus comprising an extraction chamber with a stirring means and solid-liquid separation means, and an evaporation chamber with a thin-film evaporation means, which facilitates the separation and concentration of soluble components while recycling the extraction solvent.

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient separation of soluble and insoluble components from solid raw materials, reducing the amount of extraction solvent required and minimizing environmental impact by reusing the solvent.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A device according to the present invention comprises: an extraction chamber which accommodates a solid raw material and an extraction solvent and in which an extract containing a soluble component is prepared; an evaporation chamber which accommodates the extract and in which the soluble component is concentrated by distilling off the extraction solvent from the extract; and a first feeding means that returns the extraction solvent distilled off from the extract in the evaporation chamber to the extraction chamber. The extraction chamber comprises: a first tank accommodating the solid raw material and the extraction solvent; a stirring means which is disposed inside the first tank and which produces a dispersion of the solid raw material and the extraction solvent to promote the preparation of the extract; and a solid–liquid separating means that separates the extract and an insoluble component from the dispersion. The evaporation chamber comprises: a second tank accommodating the extract; and an evaporating means which is disposed inside the second tank and which distills off the extraction solvent from the extract to concentrate the soluble component.
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Description

Apparatus for Separating Soluble Components and Insoluble Components from Solid Raw Materials, and Method for Separating Soluble Components and Insoluble Components from Solid Raw Materials Using the Same

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating soluble components and insoluble components from solid raw materials, and a method for separating soluble components and insoluble components from solid raw materials using the same.

[0002] In various technical fields such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, there is a need to separate and purify solid raw materials containing multiple components. In such solid raw materials, a technique is known in which a predetermined solvent is added, and soluble components and insoluble components are produced due to differences in solubility, and separation is performed using a solid extractor.

[0003] As a typical example of a conventional solid extractor, a Soxhlet extractor is known. The Soxhlet extractor is an apparatus in which an extraction part that adds an extraction solvent to a solid raw material to extract a solution containing soluble components and an evaporation part that concentrates the soluble components by evaporating the extraction solvent from the solution are integrated. Further, in the Soxhlet extractor, the extraction solvent is designed to be circulable between the extraction part and the evaporation part by applying the principle of a siphon.

[0004] However, in a conventional solid extractor such as a Soxhlet extractor, depending on the solubility of the soluble component in the extraction solvent, the soluble component and the insoluble component may not be efficiently separated. Therefore, further technological development that enables separation of soluble components and insoluble components from various solid raw materials is desired.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above problems, and its object is to provide a separation apparatus that enables efficient separation of soluble components and insoluble components in a predetermined extraction solvent in various solid raw materials, and a method for separating soluble components and insoluble components from solid raw materials using the same.

[0006] The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating soluble and insoluble components from a solid raw material, comprising: an extraction chamber for containing the solid raw material and an extraction solvent to prepare an extract containing the soluble components; an evaporation chamber for containing the extract and distilling off the extraction solvent from the extract to concentrate the extract containing the soluble components; and a first supply means for returning the extraction solvent distilled off from the extract in the evaporation chamber back to the extraction chamber; wherein the extraction chamber comprises: a first tank for containing the solid raw material and the extraction solvent; a stirring means disposed within the first tank for creating a dispersion of the solid raw material and the extraction solvent to facilitate the preparation of the extract; and a solid-liquid separation means for separating the extract and the insoluble components from the dispersion; and the evaporation chamber comprises: a second tank for containing the extract; and an evaporation means disposed within the second tank for distilling off the extraction solvent from the extract to concentrate the soluble components; It is a device that is equipped with [a certain feature].

[0007] In one embodiment, the extraction solvent is at least one selected from the group consisting of organic solvents and water.

[0008] In one embodiment, the stirring means in the extraction chamber is a stirring blade.

[0009] In one embodiment, the solid-liquid separation means in the extraction chamber is a mesh material.

[0010] In one embodiment, the evaporation means in the evaporation chamber described above includes a device that forms a thin film of the extract on the heated inner wall of the second tank.

[0011] In one embodiment, the extract contains water.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the dewatering material is placed within the first feeding means.

[0013] In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention further comprises a second supply means for supplying the extract in the extraction chamber from the extraction chamber to the evaporation chamber.

[0014] The present invention also provides a method for separating soluble and insoluble components from a solid raw material, comprising the steps of: placing the solid raw material and an extraction solvent in a first tank of an extraction chamber in an upper apparatus; preparing a dispersion of the solid raw material and the extraction solvent through a stirring means in the extraction chamber to facilitate the preparation of the extract; separating the extract and the insoluble components from the dispersion and transferring the extract to a second tank of an evaporation chamber; distilling off the extraction solvent from the extract through an evaporation means in the evaporation chamber; and returning the extraction solvent distilled off from the extract in the precipitation chamber to the extraction chamber through a first supply means.

[0015] According to the present invention, soluble and insoluble components can be easily separated from a solid raw material in a predetermined extraction solvent. Furthermore, by repeatedly reusing the extraction solvent used for the separation, it is possible to reduce the amount of extraction solvent required for a series of separations.

[0016] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the separation apparatus of the present invention. This is a partial cross-sectional view of the extraction chamber arranged in the separation apparatus shown in Figure 1. This is a partial cross-sectional view of the evaporation chamber arranged in the separation apparatus shown in Figure 1. This is a schematic diagram of a thin-film device arranged in the evaporation chamber shown in Figure 3. This is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of a thin-film device that may be arranged in the evaporation chamber shown in Figure 3.

[0017] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Configurations with the same reference numerals in all the following drawings are the same as those shown in the other drawings.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a separation apparatus) 100 comprises an extraction chamber 110, an evaporation chamber 130, and a first supply means (steam pipe) 150.

[0019] The extraction chamber 110 houses the solid raw material 112 and the extraction solvent 114, and plays the role of preparing an extract containing soluble components contained in the solid raw material 112.

[0020] The solid raw material 112 contains soluble and insoluble components in the extraction solvent 114. Here, the term "soluble component" as used herein includes components that have a higher solubility in the extraction solvent 114 than the insoluble component, and includes components that are completely soluble in the extraction solvent 114 at a predetermined temperature, as well as components that are partially insoluble but mostly soluble. On the other hand, the term "insoluble component" as used herein includes components that have a lower solubility in the extraction solvent 114 than the soluble component, and includes components that are not soluble at all in the extraction solvent 114, as well as components that are partially soluble but sparingly soluble.

[0021] The solid raw material 112 is not particularly limited and is, for example, a mixture containing at least two compounds that can be manufactured in the technical fields of food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc. The soluble component may consist of pure substances or a mixture. On the other hand, the insoluble component may consist of pure substances or a mixture.

[0022] Examples of the extraction solvent 114 include organic solvents and water, as well as combinations thereof. Organic solvents are not particularly limited, but examples include methanol, ethanol, acetone, acetonitrile, hexane, toluene, benzene, diethyl ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and acetic acid, formic acid, as well as combinations thereof. Examples of water include pure water, deionized water, distilled water, RO water, tap water, and natural water.

[0023] While not particularly limited, examples of solid raw materials 112 and extraction solvents 114 are provided for the purpose of understanding the present invention.

[0024] For example, if the solid raw material 112 is composed of a mixture of lactose and citric acid, ethanol can be used as the extraction solvent 114. In this case, the citric acid dissolves in the ethanol, and the lactose and citric acid can be separated from the solid raw material 112.

[0025] Alternatively, for example, if the solid raw material 112 is composed of coffee beans, water can be used as the extraction solvent 114. In this case, the caffeine in the coffee beans dissolves in the water, and the caffeine and coffee bean residue can be separated from the solid raw material 112.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the extraction chamber 110 is equipped with an extract outlet 116 at its bottom and is connected to the extract inlet 132 of the evaporation chamber 130 via a second supply means 118, which consists of a connecting pipe 117 and a pressure equalizing pipe 123 that allows adjustment of the liquid level of the extraction solvent 114.

[0027] The evaporation chamber 130 contains the extract supplied from the extraction chamber 110 and concentrates the extract to remove the extraction solvent by distillation. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the evaporation chamber 130 is equipped with an extraction solvent vapor outlet 134 in a part of its upper section and is connected to the first supply means 150.

[0028] The first supply means 150 is a vapor pipe that serves to return the extraction solvent, which has been distilled off from the extract in the evaporation chamber 130, to the extraction chamber 110. One end of the first supply means 150 is connected to the extraction solvent vapor outlet 134 of the evaporation chamber 130, and the other end is connected to the extraction solvent inlet 120 of the extraction chamber 110.

[0029] Next, the extraction chamber 110 and the evaporation chamber 130, which constitute the separation apparatus 100 of the present invention, will be described in more detail.

[0030] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the extraction chamber 110 located in the separation device 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0031] The extraction chamber 110 comprises a first tank 122, a stirring means 124, and a solid-liquid separation means 126.

[0032] The first tank 122 is a container for holding the solid raw material 112 and the extraction solvent 114, and is not particularly limited, but for example, has a capacity of 0.5 L to 10,000 L.

[0033] The amounts of solid raw material 112 and extraction solvent 114 contained in the first tank 122 are not necessarily limited, but preferably 100 to 1000 volumes, more preferably 200 to 500 volumes of extraction solvent 114 can be selected relative to 100 volumes of solid raw material 112. If the volume of extraction solvent 114 is less than 100 volumes relative to 100 volumes of solid raw material 112, the volume of extraction solvent 114 will be too small relative to the solid raw material 112, and the solid raw material 112 may not be sufficiently dispersed in the extraction solvent 114. If the volume of extraction solvent 114 exceeds 1000 volumes relative to 100 volumes of solid raw material 112, there will be a large excess of extraction solvent 114 relative to the soluble components contained in the solid raw material 112, which may reduce work efficiency and increase the environmental burden.

[0034] The inner wall of the first tank 122 may preferably be coated with a chemical-resistant coating. This coating prevents the inner wall from being corroded by the solid raw material 112 and / or the extraction solvent 114.

[0035] Furthermore, a temperature control jacket 125, equipped with a jacket inlet 127 and a jacket outlet 129, may be provided on the outer circumference of the first tank 122. By passing a heat transfer medium (e.g., steam or hot water) through the jacket inlet 127 into the temperature control jacket 125 and discharging it to the outside through the jacket outlet 129, the inside of the first tank 122 surrounded by the jacket 125 can be maintained at a predetermined temperature. For example, if the first tank 122 surrounded by the temperature control jacket 125 is heated through a heat transfer medium, the solid raw material 112 and extraction solvent 114 inside the first tank 122 are exposed to a higher temperature environment, which can increase the solubility of soluble components in the solid raw material 112 in the extraction solvent 114. This makes it possible to dissolve more soluble components in the extraction solvent 114. The temperature inside the temperature control jacket 125 and / or the temperature set for the heat transfer medium are not particularly limited, and an appropriate temperature can be selected by those skilled in the art depending on conditions such as the type and amount of solid raw material 112 and / or extraction solvent 114 used.

[0036] The first tank 122 also includes a raw material supply port 119 for supplying new solid raw materials 112 to the first tank 122, a rotating shaft insertion port 121 through which the first rotating shaft 142 (described later) passes, and an extraction solvent inlet 120.

[0037] A first rotating shaft 142, extending from a motor 140 located above, is positioned inside the first tank 122 through a rotating shaft insertion port 121. In one embodiment, the rotating shaft insertion port 121 is located in a position where the first rotating shaft 142 is oriented vertically.

[0038] In Figure 1, the stirring means 124 is located inside the first tank 122 and is mounted around the axis of the first rotating shaft 142. The stirring means 124 is preferably a stirring blade and can mix the solid raw material 112 and the extraction solvent 114 in the first tank 122 to produce a dispersion.

[0039] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first rotating shaft 142 is provided with two stirring blades, one in the upper position and one in the lower position, as stirring means 124, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first rotating shaft 142 may be provided with stirring means 124 composed of two or more stirring blades. Furthermore, when multiple stirring blades are provided as stirring means 124, forward-moving and reverse-moving stirring blades may be combined to disperse the solid raw material 112 and extraction solvent 114 in the first tank 122 in a more complex or uniform manner.

[0040] The stirring means 124 prepares a dispersion of the solid raw material 112 and the extraction solvent 114 in the first tank 122, and efficiently dissolves the soluble components in the solid raw material 112 in the extraction solvent 114. It also prevents the solid raw material 112 from settling at the bottom and obstructing the reflux of the liquid. This facilitates the preparation of the extract composed of the soluble components and the extraction solvent 114.

[0041] The solid-liquid separation means 126 plays the role of separating the soluble components dissolved in the extraction solvent 114 from the dispersion of the solid raw material 112 and the extraction solvent 114, and separating the insoluble components that did not dissolve in the extraction solvent 114.

[0042] The solid-liquid separation means 126 is a mesh material having an aperture of such a size that it is difficult for particles of the insoluble component to pass therethrough. For example, the solid-liquid separation means 126 may be a wire basket positioned between the first tank 122 and the stirring means 124, or a wire mesh arranged, for example, in the vicinity of the extraction liquid outlet 116 of the extraction chamber 110 so that particles of the insoluble component do not flow therein.

[0043] A valve 128 and a second feeding means 118 are provided downstream of the extraction liquid outlet 116 of the extraction chamber 110. The second feeding means 118 is also connected to the communication pipe 117, and the upper portion h of the communication pipe 117 is arranged to coincide with the height of the liquid surface required for the extraction solvent 114 in the extraction chamber 110. On the other hand, the pressure equalizing pipe 123 is provided in parallel with the communication pipe 117, and upper ends of both the communication pipe 117 and the pressure equalizing pipe 123 are connected to a pipe 153 extending from the condenser 154.

[0044] Here, when the valve 128 is closed, the state where the solid raw material 112 and the extraction solvent 114 are accommodated in the first tank 122 is maintained. By rotating the first rotating shaft 142 with the motor 140 in that state, a dispersion of the solid raw material 112 and the extraction solvent 114 is produced, and the soluble component in the solid raw material 112 is efficiently dissolved in the extraction solvent 114, promoting the preparation of the extraction liquid.

[0045] On the contrary, when the valve 128 is opened, the extraction liquid in the first tank 122 passes through the solid-liquid separation means 126, further passes through the extraction product outlet 116, and is supplied into the evaporation chamber 130 from the extraction liquid inlet 132 provided in the evaporation chamber 130 through the second feeding means 118 shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, particles of the insoluble component contained in the solid raw material 112 in the first tank 122 cannot pass through the solid-liquid separation means 126 and remain in the first tank 122 as they are. In this way, first, from the solid raw material 112 and the extraction solvent 114, the insoluble component with respect to the extraction solvent 114 contained in the solid raw material 112 and an extraction liquid containing the soluble component with respect to the extraction solvent can be separated.

[0046] The particles of the insoluble components remaining in the first tank 122 may be further dried, for example, by reducing the pressure inside the first tank 122 while continuing the heating by the temperature control jacket 125 without being taken out.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the evaporation chamber 130 disposed in the separation apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1.

[0048] The evaporation chamber 130 includes a second tank 133 and evaporation means 136.

[0049] The second tank 133 stores the extract 138 supplied from the extract inlet 132. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the extract 138 supplied through the extract inlet 132 provided in the upper lid 131 of the evaporation chamber 130 is temporarily stored in the second tank 133.

[0050] The second tank 133 is preferably designed to have a capacity of 1 L to 10,000 L, more preferably 2 L to 8,000 L, and usually, the second tank 133 is sealed by the upper lid 131.

[0051] Note that the inner wall of the second tank 133 may preferably be coated with a chemical-resistant coating. By this coating, corrosion of the inner wall from the extract 138 can be prevented.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, a second evaporation heat supply jacket 170 may be provided on the outer periphery of the second tank 133. Heat medium supply inlets 171 and outlets 172 for supplying steam, warm water, or a heat medium to the second evaporation heat supply jacket 170 are provided. By supplying the heat medium, the inside of the second tank 133 (for example, the inner wall of the second tank 133) can be heated to a predetermined temperature. Thereby, when a part of the extract 138 comes into contact with the inner wall of the second tank 133, the extraction solvent in the extract 138 can be evaporated.

[0053] The temperature in the second temperature control jacket 170 and / or the temperature set for the heat medium is not particularly limited, and an appropriate temperature can be selected by those skilled in the art according to conditions such as the type and amount of the extraction solvent and / or soluble components constituting the extract 138.

[0054] The evaporation means 136 is located inside the second tank 133 and plays the role of distilling off the extraction solvent from the extract 138 to concentrate the extract 138 containing soluble components.

[0055] In Figure 3, the evaporation means 136 is provided at the lower end of the second rotating shaft 142' which extends vertically from the second motor 140' positioned above the top lid 131 to the second tank 133 of the evaporation chamber 130. The evaporation means 136 is provided with a mounting bracket 144 that extends horizontally at the lower end of the second rotating shaft 142', and the mounting bracket 144 is provided with a predetermined mounting angle θ relative to the second rotating shaft 142'. 1 It consists of a thin-film device 146 mounted at an inclination of (for example, 5° to 45°, preferably 10° to 25°). In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a total of two thin-film devices 146 are provided at both ends of one mounting fixture 144, and they are fixed so that their respective lower ends 145 are close to each other and their respective upper ends 147 are far apart from each other (in a so-called inverted A shape). Furthermore, the thin-film device 146 is positioned such that its lower end 145 is lower than the liquid level of the extract 138 in a standing state, and its upper end 147 is higher than the liquid level of the extract 138 in a standing state.

[0056] Here, the thin-film device 146 has a trough-like shape overall, as shown in Figure 4, and has a semi-cylindrical channel 166. The inner diameter of the semi-cylindrical channel 166 in the thin-film device 146 is, for example, 2 mm to 200 mm. The length from the lower end 145 to the upper end 147 is, for example, 40 mm to 8,000 mm.

[0057] Alternatively, the thin-film device 146 may have a cylindrical shape as a whole, instead of the trough-shaped shape shown in Figure 4. The cylindrical shape is not particularly limited and may have any cylindrical shape, such as a cylinder, elliptical cylinder, triangular cylinder, or square cylinder.

[0058] Referring again to Figure 3, when the second rotating shaft 142' of the thin-film device 146, which constitutes the evaporation means 136, is rotated by the motor 140', the extract 138 is scooped up from the lower end 145, and as the mounting fixture 144 and the thin-film device 146 rotate along with the rotation of the second rotating shaft 142', the scooped extract rises within the thin-film device 146 from the lower end 145 to the upper end 147 due to centrifugal force. Subsequently, the scooped extract is discharged from the upper end 147 toward the inner wall of the second tank 133, and flows down the inner wall as a thin film.

[0059] As described above, the extractant flowing down the inner wall has its extraction solvent evaporated by the heat from the inner wall and is discharged to the outside of the evaporation chamber 130 through the extraction solvent vapor outlet 134 provided in the evaporation chamber 130. The remaining extractant then flows down the inner wall and combines again with the extractant 138 contained at the bottom of the second tank 133, and is again scooped up by the thin-film device 146 that constitutes the evaporation means 136, and discharged from the upper end 147 of the thin-film device 146 toward the inner wall of the second tank 133. In this way, the scooping up of the extractant 138, discharge from the upper end 147 of the thin-film device 146 toward the inner wall of the second tank 133, and flowing down the inner wall are repeated, allowing for continuous evaporation of the extraction solvent in the extractant 138. As a result, the extraction solvent can be efficiently removed from the extractant 138 by distillation.

[0060] On the other hand, the extract 138 can be concentrated while retaining its soluble components through the continuous evaporation of the extraction solvent within the extract 138. This continuous evaporation may be carried out until the extraction solvent is completely evaporated and the soluble components precipitate, or until a portion of the extraction solvent is evaporated and a concentrated extract 138 is obtained. In this way, the extract 138 supplied to the evaporation chamber 130 can be obtained either in a state with the soluble components precipitated or in a state of concentrated extract containing a high concentration of soluble components.

[0061] In Figure 3, an example is shown in which a thin-film device 146 is used as the evaporation means 136, which scoops up the extract 138 as the second rotating shaft 142' from the motor 140' rotates and discharges it toward the heated inner wall of the second tank 133. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0062] For example, a thin-film device 246 as shown in Figure 6 may be used. The thin-film device 246 shown in Figure 6 comprises a plurality of rollers 149 arranged vertically as the second rotation axis 142' rotates. The rollers 149 rotate themselves and move circumferentially along the inner wall of the second tank 133, spreading the extract that flows down from the extract inlet of the evaporation chamber 130, thereby forming a thin film of the extract on the inner wall. This promotes the evaporation of the extraction solvent contained in the extract.

[0063] In the thin-film device 246 shown in Figure 6, the extract (residue after the extraction solvent has evaporated) that flows down the inner wall of the second tank 133 is stored at the bottom of the second tank 133. This extracted liquid contains a higher concentration of soluble components.

[0064] Referring again to Figure 1, the first feeding means (steam pipe) 150 constituting the separation device 100 of the present invention has the form of a pipe, and a dewatering means 152 containing a dewatering material (e.g., molecular sieves) may be arranged in the middle of the pipeline as needed.

[0065] For example, when an organic solvent is used as the extraction solvent, the extract 138 supplied to the evaporation chamber 130 may contain water. This water may have been present in the solid mixture 112 from the beginning, and may be evaporated from the evaporation chamber 130 together with the extraction solvent while still contained in the extract 138. In that case, since water vapor may also be included in the extraction solvent vapor discharged from the extraction solvent vapor outlet 134 of the evaporation chamber 130, the water vapor (water) may be removed by a dehydration means 152 provided in the first supply means (steam pipe) 150. After passing through the dehydration means 152, the extraction solvent vapor passing through the first supply means (steam pipe) 150 becomes of higher purity.

[0066] Furthermore, a condenser 154, known in the art, may be provided in the middle of the pipeline of the first supply means (steam pipe) 150. The extraction solvent that has passed through the condenser 154 changes from vapor (gas) to liquid form and is returned to the extraction chamber 110 through the extraction solvent inlet 120.

[0067] In this way, the separation apparatus 100 of the present invention allows the removed extraction solvent 114 to be reused and used directly for the next extraction in the extraction chamber 110.

[0068] According to the present invention, soluble and insoluble components can be easily separated from a solid raw material in a predetermined extraction solvent, and the recycled extraction solvent can also be reused for this separation. As a result, the amount of extraction solvent used when separating soluble and insoluble components from a solid raw material can be reduced, and the environmental burden associated with the disposal of the extraction solvent can also be reduced.

[0069] The separation apparatus of the present invention can be used for solid raw materials composed of multiple components having different solubility in a specific extraction solvent, and is useful, for example, in the fields of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

[0070] 100 Separation device 110 Extraction chamber 112 Solid raw material 114 Extraction solvent 116 Extract outlet 117 Connecting pipe 118 Second feeding means 119 Raw material supply port 120 Extraction solvent inlet 121 Rotating shaft insertion port 122 First tank 123 Pressure equalizing pipe 124 Stirring means 125 Temperature control jacket 126 Solid-liquid separation means 127 Jacket inlet 128 Valve 129 Jacket outlet 130 Evaporation chamber 131 Top lid 132 Extract inlet 133 Second tank 134 Extraction solvent vapor outlet 136 Evaporation means 138 Extract 140 Motor 140' Second motor 142 First rotating shaft 142' Second rotating shaft 144 Mounting fixture 145 Lower end 146, 246 Thin-film device 147 Upper end 149 Roller 150 First feeding means (steam pipe) 152 Dewatering means 153 Pipe 154 Condenser 166, 166' Flow path 170 Second temperature control jacket 171 Heat medium inlet / outlet 172 Heat medium inlet / outlet

Claims

1. An apparatus for separating soluble and insoluble components from a solid raw material, comprising: an extraction chamber for containing the solid raw material and an extraction solvent to prepare an extract containing the soluble components; an evaporation chamber for containing the extract and for concentrating the extract containing the soluble components by distilling off the extraction solvent from the extract; and a first supply means for returning the extraction solvent distilled off from the extract in the evaporation chamber back to the extraction chamber, wherein the extraction chamber comprises: a first tank for containing the solid raw material and the extraction solvent; a stirring means disposed within the first tank for creating a dispersion of the solid raw material and the extraction solvent to facilitate the preparation of the extract; and a solid-liquid separation means for separating the extract and the insoluble components from the dispersion; and the evaporation chamber, An apparatus comprising: a second tank for containing the extract; and an evaporation means disposed within the second tank for distilling off the extraction solvent from the extract to concentrate the soluble components.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extraction solvent is at least one selected from the group consisting of organic solvents and water.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stirring means in the extraction chamber is a stirring blade.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the solid-liquid separation means in the extraction chamber is a mesh material.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaporation means in the evaporation chamber comprises a device for distributing the extract as a thin film on the heated inner wall of the second tank.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extract contains water.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the dewatering material is disposed within the first feeding means.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second supplying means for supplying the extract in the extraction chamber from the extraction chamber to the evaporation chamber.

9. A method for separating soluble and insoluble components from a solid raw material, comprising the steps of: placing the solid raw material and an extraction solvent in a first tank of an extraction chamber in an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8; preparing a dispersion of the solid raw material and the extraction solvent through a stirring means in the extraction chamber to facilitate the preparation of the extract; separating the extract and the insoluble components from the dispersion and transferring the extract to a second tank of an evaporation chamber; distilling off the extraction solvent from the extract through an evaporation means in the evaporation chamber; and returning the extraction solvent distilled off from the extract in the precipitation chamber to the extraction chamber through a first supply means.