CO2 Cannabinoid Extraction With Silica-Gel CBD-to-THC Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting cannabidiol (CBD) from hemp and converting it to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) often result in complex mixtures and require chemical conversion agents, making it difficult to achieve a controlled CBD:THC ratio suitable for pharmaceutical use.
Innovation Solution
A method using subcritical and supercritical liquid carbon dioxide to sequentially extract CBD from hemp biomass and convert it to THC, utilizing hydrated nanoporous silica gel to bind and catalyze the conversion process without chemical agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical conversion agents are used to convert CBD to THC, then the conversion efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the process and the presence of harmful residues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses silica gel as an intermediary material that provides both the acidic environment needed for CBD-to-THC conversion and the structural support for the reaction. The silica gel's surface silanol groups act as natural acid catalysts, eliminating the need for external chemical conversion agents while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The silica gel medium performs multiple functions simultaneously: it extracts CBD from the plant material, provides the acidic environment for conversion, catalyzes the isomerization reaction, and allows for easy separation of the final product. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate conversion steps and chemical agents.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separation steps are used to purify CBD and THC, then the purity of the final product is improved, but the complexity and time required for the process increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines extraction, conversion, and separation functions into a single integrated process using silica gel as the reaction medium. The silica gel's selective adsorption properties enable simultaneous separation of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids during the conversion process itself, eliminating the need for multiple sequential separation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The silica gel serves multiple functions: it acts as the extraction solvent, the reaction catalyst, the separation medium, and the purification agent. This multi-functionality reduces the overall process complexity while maintaining high purity of the final cannabinoid products.
3Manufacturing precision
If subcritical and supercritical carbon dioxide are used for extraction, then the selectivity and purity of CBD extraction is improved, but the complexity of the extraction system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of carbon dioxide between subcritical and supercritical states to control the extraction process. By adjusting pressure and temperature, CO2 selectively extracts different cannabinoids at different stages, with the phase transitions enabling easy separation and recovery of the extracted compounds.
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
Achieves a high yield of THC with a controlled CBD:THC ratio, reducing the ratio from 20:1 to less than 5:1, and effectively separates CBD and THC, suitable for pharmaceutical applications.
Implementation Method 1
extracting a product comprising predominantly cannabidiol from the milled and decarboxylated biomass by injecting subcritical liquid carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
converting the cannabidiol to tetrahydrocannabinol by mixing the primary extract with a water-binding agent and a catalyst
Implementation Method 3
utilizing hydrated nanoporous silica gel to bind and catalyze the conversion process
Implementation Method 4
A method using subcritical and supercritical liquid carbon dioxide to sequentially extract CBD from hemp biomass and convert it to THC
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for extracting cannabidiol from milled and decarboxylated hemp using subcritical liquid carbon dioxide and for converting the extracted cannabidiol to tetrahydrocannabinol using supercritical carbon dioxide in a sequential process