Cannabis Fermentation Extraction for THC Purity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting THC from cannabis plants are contaminated, inefficient, and costly due to the use of chemicals, partial plant utilization, and high maintenance equipment, limiting innovation and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sorting and shredding different parts of the cannabis plant, followed by fermentation with yeast and sugar mixtures in tanks with screen filters, allowing for the separation and extraction of THC without contamination, using all plant parts and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical extraction methods are used to extract THC from cannabis plants, then extraction efficiency is improved, but product contamination increases making the oil unusable in food applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts THC from cannabis plants using supercritical carbon dioxide instead of chemical solvents. The supercritical CO2 selectively extracts THC while leaving behind other plant compounds, and then the CO2 is removed by depressurization, leaving pure THC oil without chemical contamination. This resolves the contradiction by achieving high extraction efficiency without introducing harmful chemical residues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the physical parameters of carbon dioxide (temperature and pressure) to achieve extraction. By adjusting pressure and temperature to reach the supercritical state, CO2 becomes an effective extraction medium, then returns to gaseous state for easy removal. This parameter-based approach replaces chemical extraction methods while maintaining efficiency and avoiding contamination.
2Manufacturing precision
If only flower parts of cannabis plants are used for extraction, then THC concentration in the extracted oil is improved, but overall yield decreases as other plant parts containing THC are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the supercritical CO2 extraction method to all parts of the cannabis plant including flowers, leaves, stems, and roots. The universal applicability of this extraction method to different plant materials allows complete utilization of the plant, converting previously wasted biomass into valuable THC product while maintaining consistent quality standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cannabis plant into different parts (flowers, leaves, stems, roots) and processes each segment separately through the extraction system. This segmentation allows for systematic processing of all plant materials, ensuring that THC from each portion is captured and combined into the final product, thereby maximizing overall yield.
3Productivity
If conventional extraction equipment is used, then extraction capability is improved, but equipment cost and maintenance requirements increase creating high barriers to entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a relatively simple supercritical extraction system that can be implemented at smaller scales compared to conventional large-scale extraction equipment. The system uses off-the-shelf components and straightforward engineering, reducing capital investment requirements and making the technology accessible to smaller operations without sacrificing extraction capability.
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 results in higher concentrations of THC at lower costs, producing CBD at $20 per liter compared to $2,000 per liter with conventional methods, and effectively separates CBD and THC, enabling their efficient extraction and use in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
activating a yeast mixture and adding the activated yeast mixture to the fermentation tanks
Implementation Method 2
Each fermentation tank includes a pair of screen filters
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extracting THC from cannabis plants. The method includes sorting different parts of a plant and placing each part of the plant along with fermentation materials in a set of fermentation tanks, with the cannabis flowers in the first fermentation tank. Each fermentation tank includes a pair of screen filters and is connected to at least one of the other fermentation tanks above the pair of screen filters and below the pair of screen filters. The method further includes adding an activated yeast to the fermentation tanks on day 0 and leaving the mixtures for 10 days and equalizing the contents of the fermentation tanks on day 10. The method also includes creating a water/sugar mixture and adding 1/10th of the water/sugar mixture to the fermentation tanks each day for 10 days and collecting the macerated oil on day 21 and collecting the infused alcohol on day 21.