Alkaline Cannabinoid Extraction from Hemp Using Agitation and Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from hemp are inefficient and costly, particularly when dealing with whole wet and semi-wet plant material, as they require long processing times, high solvent recovery costs, and labor-intensive industrial apparatus, and struggle to process hemp with varying moisture levels.
Innovation Solution
An automated multi-stage agitation apparatus using a weak alkaline solution and centrifugal force to extract polar and non-polar cannabinoids, such as CBDA and CBD, from hemp tissue without decarboxylation or heating, capable of processing hemp in any moisture state, including wet, dry, or a combination of both, using a stainless-steel mesh basket and agitation disc to release cannabinoids from glandular trichomes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional solvent extraction methods are used on whole wet and semi-wet plant material, then extraction of cannabinoids and terpenes can be achieved, but the processing time becomes excessively long and solvent recovery costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-freezing the plant material before extraction. This pre-treatment step prepares the material in advance to enhance solvent penetration and cannabinoid release during the subsequent extraction process, thereby reducing the overall processing time while maintaining high extraction yields from whole wet and semi-wet plant material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by transforming the physical state of plant material through freezing and then utilizing pressure differentials during extraction. By changing temperature and pressure parameters, the method accelerates the extraction process significantly compared to conventional ambient temperature methods, reducing processing time while maintaining efficiency
2Productivity
If industrial apparatus with high solvent recovery systems are used, then extraction efficiency can be maintained, but the device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical solvent recovery systems with a simpler pressure differential-based extraction system. By using pressure differentials to drive solvent through the plant material and enable easy separation, the method achieves high extraction efficiency without requiring complex industrial apparatus, thereby reducing device complexity and operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a simple filtration layer as an intermediary between the extraction chamber and collection system. This intermediary component enables efficient separation of extracted cannabinoids from the solvent without requiring complex recovery equipment, maintaining productivity while simplifying the overall apparatus
3Quantity of substance
If decarboxylation and heating processes are used to extract cannabinoids, then psychoactive compounds can be produced, but the processing time increases and thermal degradation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal decarboxylation processes with a mechanical and chemical extraction method using pressure differentials and alkaline solutions. This substitution eliminates the need for prolonged heating while still achieving effective cannabinoid extraction, thereby reducing processing time and avoiding thermal degradation of sensitive compounds
4Adaptability or versatility
If hemp material with varying moisture levels is processed using conventional methods, then all material types can be handled, but the extraction efficiency decreases and processing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary freezing action that works effectively across all moisture levels. The freezing process uniformly prepares the plant material regardless of its initial water content, and the subsequent pressure-based extraction method consistently extracts cannabinoids from frozen material, thereby maintaining extraction precision and consistency while handling diverse moisture conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces extraction time and costs by allowing efficient extraction of cannabinoids and terpenes from whole hemp plants with varying moisture levels, achieving high yields with minimal solvent use and processing at near-room temperature, thus improving the economic and operational efficiency of the hemp industry.
Implementation Method 1
extraction of both polar and non-polar cannabinoids in an oxidation-reduction reaction
Implementation Method 2
An automated multi-stage agitation apparatus using a weak alkaline solution and centrifugal force to extract polar and non-polar cannabinoids
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, and methods use a basic solution in a pH range to extract non-purified cannabinoids, specifically cannabinoid acids, and carboxylic acid compounds along with their decarboxylated cannabinoid counterparts from hemp plant tissue, such as biomass or flower, using automated agitation, filtrating, and draining. The systems, apparatus, and methods agitate and cause turbulence of the hemp tissue, which allows extraction of both polar and non-polar cannabinoids in a basic solution of water as the solvent and a weak alkaline additive as the solute. The systems, apparatus, and methods extract the dominant cannabinoids and their polar cannabinoid acid counterparts without the use of continuous distillation via a catalyst, and may be performed at ambient room temperature. The extracted materials and solution are then drained from the apparatus.