CO2-Cooled Phytochemical Extraction for Controlled Dewaxing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phytochemical extraction systems face inefficiencies and safety concerns due to the use of volatile solvents, high costs of traditional refrigeration systems, and limitations in dewaxing processes, particularly with the use of dry ice and vertically stacked columns.
Innovation Solution
The system employs CO2 open-loop refrigeration for jacketed columns, utilizing liquid carbon dioxide to create a cooling effect without a condenser core or compressor, and incorporates a secondary dewaxing column with controlled temperature modulation and a pressure-assist manifold for efficient solvent recovery and filtration, eliminating the need for volatile solvents and allowing for flexible column arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional refrigeration systems with compressors and condenser cores are used, then cooling capability is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the compressor and condenser core components from the refrigeration system, extracting only the essential cooling function. The system uses an open-loop design where refrigerant is evaporated to provide cooling without requiring complex compression and condensation equipment, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical refrigeration system (compressor-driven) with a thermal field-based system using evaporated refrigerant. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts and complex control systems, reducing device complexity while achieving the required cooling effect for phytochemical extraction.
2Volume of moving object
If vertically stacked columns are used, then space efficiency is improved, but access and operational flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement to a horizontal or distributed spatial arrangement of extraction columns. This dimensional change allows operators to access each column from multiple sides rather than only from above, improving operational flexibility and ease of maintenance while still achieving compact space utilization through optimized horizontal footprint.
3Productivity
If volatile solvents are used, then extraction efficiency is improved, but safety concerns and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the solvent system by using CO2 in a supercritical or pressurized liquid state instead of traditional volatile organic solvents. This parameter change maintains extraction efficiency through high solubility power while eliminating flammability and toxicity concerns, thereby improving safety without sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert extraction environment using carbon dioxide, which does not support combustion and is non-toxic. This inert atmosphere eliminates the safety hazards associated with volatile organic solvents while maintaining effective extraction capability, resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and safety.
4Temperature
If dry ice is used for dewaxing, then cooling effect is achieved, but process control precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static, fixed-temperature dry ice cooling method with a dynamic cooling system that can modulate temperature according to process requirements. This allows precise control of the dewaxing temperature to optimize the separation of waxes from phytochemicals, improving manufacturing precision while maintaining the necessary cooling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cooling medium from solid dry ice (fixed sublimation temperature) to a liquid or gaseous refrigerant system that can be controlled at variable temperatures. This parameter change enables precise temperature modulation during dewaxing, improving process control precision while achieving the required cooling effect for effective wax removal.
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 approach reduces costs and complexity, enhances safety by avoiding volatile solvents, and improves the efficiency of phytochemical extraction and dewaxing processes, enabling effective separation of phytochemicals from waxes and lipids while maintaining a flexible and scalable system design.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing liquid carbon dioxide to create a cooling effect without a condenser core or compressor
Implementation Method 2
pressure-assist manifold for efficient solvent recovery and filtration
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices for phytochemical extraction. One example extraction system includes two solvent columns, a material column, and a dewaxing column. The solvent columns store and provide solvent for stripping target chemicals from plant material in the material column. The solvent mixed with target chemicals passes into the dewaxing column, where the target chemicals are separated from waxes and lipids. Cooling is applied to elements of the system by way of an open-loop CO2 refrigeration method. Solvent is moved from the solvent columns to the material column by creating a pressure differential between the two solvent columns.