Cannabinoid Separation via Simulated Moving Bed Chromatography
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating complex mixtures of cannabinoids and terpenes, such as those found in cannabis extracts, are inefficient and often result in coke formation during distillation, leading to reduced yield and purity.
Innovation Solution
A refined process involving sequential simulated moving bed chromatography and supercritical CO2 fractionation, combined with decarboxylation using heat and catalysts, to isolate and purify cannabinoids and terpenes, preventing coke formation and enhancing separation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional distillation methods are used to separate cannabinoids and terpenes, then separation can be achieved, but coke formation occurs during distillation leading to reduced yield and purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sequential simulated moving bed chromatography which changes the separation parameter from thermal distillation to adsorption-based chromatographic separation. This fundamental parameter change eliminates the high temperatures causing coke formation while achieving high-purity separation of cannabinoids and terpenes through selective adsorption on chromatography media
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes supercritical CO2 fractionation which exploits phase transition properties. By operating in the supercritical state and then controlling pressure reduction, the system achieves selective fractionation of compounds based on their solubility characteristics in supercritical CO2, preventing thermal degradation and coke formation while maintaining high purity and yield
2Productivity
If conventional distillation methods are used to separate cannabinoids and terpenes, then separation can be achieved, but separation efficiency is reduced due to inefficiencies in existing methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the separation process into multiple sequential stages: first simulated moving bed chromatography for initial separation, followed by supercritical CO2 fractionation for further purification. This segmentation of the separation process into distinct stages with different separation mechanisms achieves both high efficiency and high purity, overcoming the limitations of single-stage conventional distillation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces supercritical CO2 as an intermediary solvent in the fractionation process. This intermediary medium enables selective extraction and fractionation of compounds based on their solubility characteristics, achieving efficient separation with high purity without the drawbacks of conventional thermal distillation 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
The process achieves high-purity, high-yield separation of cannabinoids and terpenes, effectively addressing the inefficiencies of existing methods and maintaining the therapeutic potential of cannabis-derived compounds.
Implementation Method 1
sequential simulated moving bed chromatography
Implementation Method 2
contacting the loaded extractant with an adsorbent, a desorbent, or a combination thereof
Implementation Method 3
decarboxylation using heat and catalysts
Implementation Method 4
decarboxylation using heat and catalysts
Implementation Method 5
supercritical CO2 fractionation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to scalable processes for extracting, refining and remediating extracts of natural products, such as plant material and for providing well controlled refined extract.