Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Cannabis Without Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for extracting active ingredients from cannabis and other plant materials often result in component loss during drying, contamination from solvents, and impurities remaining in the final product, leading to inefficient and impure extraction processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving heating plant material under vacuum pressure, followed by cooling and condensation of evaporates, which allows for the extraction of high-concentration, stable materials without drying or using solvents, thereby minimizing component loss and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If plant material is dried before extraction, then the extraction process can proceed, but certain components are lost during drying and are not available for subsequent extraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent loss during drying

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the extraction process by using supercritical fluid conditions (high pressure and temperature) to extract components directly from fresh or frozen plant material without drying, thereby preserving heat-sensitive compounds while maintaining high extraction efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transitions of carbon dioxide between supercritical and gaseous states to enable extraction without drying. The CO2 transitions to a supercritical state for extraction, then returns to gaseous state for separation, allowing direct extraction from wet material and preventing component loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If solvents are used in extraction, then active ingredients can be extracted, but chemical residual products remain in the final product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction rateVSAvoidchemical residual contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses supercritical carbon dioxide as an inert extraction medium that leaves no harmful residues. CO2 is chemically inert under extraction conditions and completely evaporates after extraction, providing a clean final product free from solvent contamination while maintaining high extraction efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs carbon dioxide that is introduced in excess and completely discarded after extraction. The CO2 serves its extraction purpose and is then vented away, leaving no residual contamination in the final product while enabling efficient extraction of active ingredients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional pressing methods are used, then extraction can occur, but impurities or unwanted chemicals remain in the end product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction simplicityVSAvoidproduct purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the extraction parameters by using supercritical fluid dynamics instead of mechanical pressing. The supercritical CO2 selectively extracts desired compounds based on solubility differences, achieving high product purity while maintaining operational simplicity through automated pressure and temperature control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If solvents are used for extraction, then active ingredients can be extracted, but the extraction rate of single components remains low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction yieldVSAvoidextraction rate of single components

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes extraction parameters by controlling pressure and temperature to achieve supercritical conditions for CO2. These parameter changes enhance the solvent power and diffusivity of the extraction medium, resulting in both high extraction yield and high productivity for single components simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively extracts full-spectrum cannabinoids and other compounds with high efficiency, producing a stable and pure output that is easily absorbed, while avoiding the drawbacks of traditional methods such as drying and solvent use.

Implementation Method 1

heating a plant material within an apparatus in which a vacuum pressure can be applied on the plant material within the apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum distillation: Vacuum Distillation

Implementation Method 2

cooling an upper surface of the apparatus such that evaporate produced from the plant material being heated is cooled and condenses on such upper surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS11612558B2Methods of extracting materials from plant material

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 LI PING

AI summary

This invention provides methods for extracting ingredients and materials from plant material, including extracting ingredients from cannabis plant material.