CBD Isolation via Solvent Extraction and Crystallization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting and refining cannabidiol (CBD) face challenges such as difficulties in controlling chromatographic column flow, waste management, and the need for frequent regeneration or replacement of stationary phase media, which complicates the process and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving milling raw material, contacting it with an extraction solvent, separating solid waste, concentrating and washing the extract, decarboxylating, vacuum distilling, dewaxing, degassing, and crystallizing to produce high-purity CBD isolate, which bypasses the use of chromatographic columns and optimizes solvent recovery and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If chromatographic columns are used for CBD extraction, then purification is achieved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase due to flow control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes chromatographic columns from the CBD extraction process entirely, replacing them with a solvent-based extraction system using ethanol and hexane. This extraction approach achieves purification through selective solubility and phase separation rather than chromatographic separation, thereby eliminating the complexity of column flow control while maintaining effective CBD isolation from plant material
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical chromatographic separation system with a chemical extraction system based on differential solubility. Instead of using physical columns with controlled flow rates, the process uses solvent extraction followed by evaporation and crystallization, substituting mechanical flow control with chemical separation principles to achieve purification
2Manufacturing precision
If chromatographic columns are used for CBD extraction, then purification is achieved, but operational difficulty increases due to monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates chromatographic columns that require careful monitoring of flow rates and pressure. Instead, it employs a straightforward solvent extraction method where plant material is treated with ethanol and hexane, allowing for simpler operational control and reduced need for real-time monitoring of process parameters
3Manufacturing precision
If stationary phase media are used in chromatography, then separation is achieved, but loss of substance increases due to media regeneration and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, maintenance-intensive chromatographic stationary phase media with inexpensive, easily removable extraction solvents. The ethanol and hexane solvents can be simply evaporated and recovered or disposed of, eliminating the need for costly media regeneration or replacement while achieving effective cannabinoid separation through evaporation and crystallization steps
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple extraction steps are performed, then purity is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extraction process into distinct functional steps: (1) initial extraction with ethanol and hexane, (2) filtration to remove plant debris, (3) evaporation of solvents to concentrate CBD, and (4) crystallization to achieve high purity. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently and performed sequentially, achieving high purity efficiently without requiring multiple repetitive extraction cycles
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 enables the production of high-purity CBD isolate with reduced waste and operational complexity, achieving purity levels of greater than 98% without relying on chromatographic columns, thus simplifying the process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the milled raw material with an extraction solvent to form a raw extract
Implementation Method 2
washing the concentrated extract by dissolving the concentrated extract in an organic solvent to form an organic phase and washing the organic phase with a aqueous phase
Implementation Method 3
removing the organic solvent from the washed extract to form a concentrated washed extract
Implementation Method 4
removing the organic solvent from the washed extract
Implementation Method 5
decarboxylating the concentrated washed extract to form a decarboxylated extract
Implementation Method 6
decarboxylating the concentrated washed extract
Implementation Method 7
vacuum distilling the decarboxylated extract to form a distillate
Implementation Method 8
dewaxing the distillate to form a post-dewax filtrate
Implementation Method 9
vacuum distilling the dewaxed concentrate to form a distilled CBD concentrate
Implementation Method 10
crystallizing CBD from the distilled CBD concentrate to form the CBD Isolate
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making CBD concentrate or CBD Isolate comprises (a) milling a raw material; (b) contacting the milled raw material with an extraction solvent and separating a solid waste material to form a filtered extract; (c) concentrating the filtered extract; (d) washing the concentrated extract to form an organic phase and an aqueous phase; (e) separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase to form a washed extract; (f) removing an organic solvent from the washed extract to form a concentrated washed extract; (g) decarboxylating the concentrated washed extract; (h) vacuum distilling the decarboxylated extract to form a distillate; (i) dewaxing the distillate to form a post-dewax filtrate; (j) applying a vacuum to the post-dewax filtrate to form a post-dewax concentrate; (k) degassing the post-dewax concentrate; and (l) vacuum distilling the degassed concentrate to form a CBD concentrate.