Liquid-Phase Cannabinoid Separation Using Selective Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol from other cannabinoids are inefficient, requiring large amounts of solvent and multiple stages, leading to high operational costs and reduced extraction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a heterogeneous liquid mixture comprising a first liquid phase with an amide group and a second immiscible non-polar hydrocarbon phase, allowing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol to preferentially associate with one phase and other cannabinoids with the other, thereby achieving targeted separation with reduced solvent use and stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional separation methods are used, then separation of cannabinoids can be achieved, but large amounts of solvent and multiple stages are required, leading to high operational costs and reduced extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solvent system by using a specific heterogeneous liquid mixture comprising an amide-containing liquid and a non-polar hydrocarbon liquid in controlled proportions. This parameter change enables selective partitioning of delta-9-THC into the amide phase while other cannabinoids remain in the hydrocarbon phase, achieving high extraction efficiency with reduced solvent quantities
Solution Approach 2:
The amide-containing liquid acts as an intermediary phase that selectively binds delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol from the cannabinoid mixture. This intermediary phase facilitates the separation process by creating a distinct chemical environment that preferentially associates with the target compound, reducing the need for large amounts of solvent and multiple separation stages
2Productivity
If conventional separation methods are used, then cannabinoids can be separated, but multiple stages are required, leading to high operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the separation system by introducing a heterogeneous liquid mixture with specific polarity characteristics. This single-stage parameter change achieves separation based on differential solubility and partitioning behavior, eliminating the need for multiple sequential separation stages and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cannabinoid mixture into distinct groups based on their chemical properties: delta-9-THC partitions into the amide-containing phase while other cannabinoids remain in the non-polar hydrocarbon phase. This chemical segmentation enables single-stage separation, reducing device complexity and operational costs
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 method achieves high extraction efficiency and reduces operational costs by selectively separating delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol from other cannabinoids, using less solvent and fewer stages compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
exposing a mixture comprising the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and the one or more additional cannabinoids to a heterogeneous liquid mixture, wherein the heterogeneous liquid mixture comprises a first liquid phase and a second liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
the mole fraction of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol relative to the sum of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and the one or more additional cannabinoids in the first liquid phase is greater than the mole fraction of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol relative to the sum of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and the one or more additional cannabinoids in the mixture
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to the separation of chemical species using multiple liquid phases. The present disclosure is also related to the continuous liquid-liquid chromatographic separation of chemical species using multiple liquid phases and related systems and articles.