Cannabinoid Crystallization Without Distillation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cannabis extraction processes are energy and time intensive, often requiring distillation and solvent evaporation steps, which are not suitable for continuous processing and result in the inclusion of undesired waxes and lipids in the final extract.
Innovation Solution
A solvent matrix of organic solvents and water is used to extract cannabinoids from cannabis plant material, followed by filtration, dewaxing, solvent and terpenoid removal, decarboxylation, and crystallization without distillation, using membrane filtration and seed crystals to produce crystallized cannabinoids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If distillation and solvent evaporation steps are used to extract and purify cannabinoids, then the purity of the final extract is improved, but the energy consumption and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes specific components (waxes, lipids, pigments, and solvents) from the cannabis extract at different stages using selective separation methods. Membrane filtration selectively removes waxes and lipids based on molecular size, while crystallization selectively precipitates cannabinoids from the solvent mixture, eliminating the need for energy-intensive distillation to achieve pure cannabinoid products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters such as temperature, solvent composition, and molecular weight cutoff of membranes to achieve separation and purification. By controlling crystallization temperature and using membranes with specific pore sizes, the process achieves high purity cannabinoid extraction without requiring the high energy input of traditional distillation methods
2Manufacturing precision
If distillation and solvent evaporation steps are used to extract and purify cannabinoids, then the purity of the final extract is improved, but the processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes specific components (waxes, lipids, pigments, and solvents) from the cannabis extract at different stages using selective separation methods. Membrane filtration selectively removes waxes and lipids based on molecular size, while crystallization selectively precipitates cannabinoids from the solvent mixture, eliminating the need for energy-intensive distillation to achieve pure cannabinoid products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary removal of waxes, lipids, and pigments through membrane filtration and dewaxing steps before the final cannabinoid isolation. This preliminary purification of the extract stream simplifies and accelerates the final cannabinoid recovery step, reducing overall processing time compared to traditional methods that require sequential distillation steps
3Quantity of substance
If traditional extraction processes are used, then cannabinoids are extracted from plant material, but waxes and lipids are included in the final extract and must be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes specific components (waxes, lipids, pigments, and solvents) from the cannabis extract at different stages using selective separation methods. Membrane filtration selectively removes waxes and lipids based on molecular size, while crystallization selectively precipitates cannabinoids from the solvent mixture, eliminating the need for energy-intensive distillation to achieve pure cannabinoid products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses membrane filtration with specific pore sizes to physically separate waxes, lipids, and other impurities from the cannabinoid-containing extract. The porous membrane structure allows smaller cannabinoid molecules to pass through while retaining larger wax and lipid molecules, achieving purification without chemical treatment or energy-intensive processes
4Productivity
If solvent is used to extract cannabinoids from plant material, then the extraction efficiency is improved, but the solvent must be recovered and reused which adds process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses crystallization to transition cannabinoids from dissolved state in solvent to solid crystal form. This phase transition naturally separates cannabinoids from the solvent without requiring distillation or evaporation, simplifying the solvent recovery process. The solvent remains in liquid phase and can be directly filtered and reused, reducing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers solvent through simple filtration and phase separation after crystallization, eliminating the need for complex distillation equipment. The recovered solvent is directly reusable for subsequent extraction batches, reducing both equipment complexity and operational complexity compared to traditional solvent recovery methods
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 process enables efficient, continuous production of crystallized cannabinoids while avoiding the bottlenecks of distillation and solvent evaporation, improving yield and purity by removing impurities and reclaiming solvents effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a solvent (or solvent mixture) to extract (dissolve) active cannabis constituents from herbal material
Implementation Method 2
the plant material is separated from the solvent matrix by centrifugation
Implementation Method 3
The resulting extract is clarified by filtration. This can be achieved by membrane filtration which also removes most of the water and water-soluble impurities
Implementation Method 4
Excess solvent and terpenoids are removed by means of molecular weight cutoff membrane filtration
Implementation Method 5
the resulting cannabinoid solution is decarboxylated catalytically
Implementation Method 6
seed crystals are added and the extracted cannabinoids are crystalized
Data Source
AI summary
Cannabis plant material is extracted with a solvent matrix consisting of one or more organic solvents and optionally water. The cannabis plant material is agitated in the solvent matrix and then removed by filtration or centrifugation. Following extraction, the plant material is separated from the solvent matrix by centrifugation. The resulting extract is clarified by membrane filtration which also removes most of the water and water-soluble impurities. The resulting extract is dewaxed using membrane filtration and/or liquid-liquid extraction. Excess solvent and terpenoids are removed by means of molecular weight cutoff membrane filtration and the resulting cannabinoid solution is decarboxylated catalytically. Seed crystals are added to crystallize the cannabinoids.