Cannabinoid Extraction Apparatus Using Supercritical CO2
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting medicinal compounds from cannabis plant material often rely on toxic solvents, leading to waste and potential diversion into illicit markets, especially with the high value of cannabis and the need for efficient large-scale extraction.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and process utilizing a solvent tank, hopper, and pumps to extract medicinal compounds from cannabis plant material in large volumes, storing the extraction in low concentrations of cannabinoids per unit volume of solvent, which can be safely transported and processed further, preventing diversion and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If toxic solvents are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental harm and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by using supercritical carbon dioxide instead of toxic organic solvents. By adjusting pressure and temperature parameters to achieve supercritical state, the system maintains high extraction efficiency while eliminating toxic solvent waste and environmental contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses carbon dioxide in its supercritical state as an inert extraction medium. This inert environment replaces toxic solvents, providing high extraction efficiency without the harmful effects of volatile organic compounds, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and environmental harm.
2Quantity of substance
If concentrated extracts are stored, then storage efficiency is improved, but risk of diversion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and concentration parameters of the extracted material by maintaining it in a diluted supercritical fluid state rather than concentrating it. This parameter change allows efficient storage while significantly reducing the risk of diversion, as the diluted form is less attractive for illicit purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses supercritical carbon dioxide as an intermediary medium to store the extracted cannabinoids in a diluted state. This intermediary approach allows storage efficiency while the CO2 acts as a protective medium that reduces diversion risk, resolving the contradiction between quantity of substance and reliability.
3Device complexity
If solvents are not recycled, then process simplicity is improved, but substance loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of carbon dioxide (between supercritical and gaseous states) to enable solvent recycling. By controlling pressure and temperature, the CO2 can be easily transitioned from supercritical extraction state to gaseous state for separation and reuse, achieving substance loss prevention without excessive process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recovery system for the supercritical CO2 solvent. After extraction, the CO2 is recovered through phase transition and purification, then reused in subsequent extraction cycles. This recovering approach prevents solvent loss while maintaining reasonable process simplicity through the use of well-established phase change mechanisms.
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
The process efficiently extracts and stores medicinal compounds in a secure, diluted form, reducing the risk of diversion and waste, while allowing for the recycling of solvents, making the extraction more secure and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
extracting medicinal compounds from cannabis plant material
Data Source
AI summary
A process and apparatus for extracting cannabinoids from cannabis plant material plant material and for transporting low concentrations of cannabinoids in a solution of solvent may include a solvent tank, a hopper, and one or more pumps. A plurality of valves may also be incorporated into the invention. Plant material may be soaked, washed, and/or rinsed with a solvent that extracts essential elements from cannabis plant matter. The process may minimally include filling a hopper with plant mater, moving solvent from a solvent tank to the hopper, and moving solvent back to the solvent tank after an extraction. Repeating this process a plurality of times with new plant material increases the concentration cannabinoids in the solvent tank after each time the process is performed.