Cold Alcohol Oil Extraction With Automated Solvent Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting plant oil from oil-bearing plant material often require the presence of an operator, use flammable solvents that extract undesirable constituents like chlorophyll and waxes, and necessitate additional processing steps to remove these impurities.
Innovation Solution
An automated plant oil extraction apparatus using a programmable logic controller to monitor and control temperature, centrifuge operation, and solvent recovery, which employs a cold alcohol solvent to minimize impurity extraction and automates the process without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flammable hydrocarbon-based solvent is used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but safety risks and flammability hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of solvent selection from flammable hydrocarbons to non-flammable alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol). This parameter change maintains extraction efficiency while eliminating fire hazards, allowing the system to operate without explosion-proof requirements and improving safety without sacrificing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs food-grade alcohols that can be easily evaporated and disposed of or recovered through simple heating, replacing the need for complex safety infrastructure required by flammable solvents. The solvent is effectively 'disposable' through evaporation, eliminating long-term storage and handling safety concerns
2Quantity of substance
If conventional solvents are used for extraction, then oil extraction is achieved, but undesirable constituents like chlorophyll, waxes, and carboxylates are also extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using cold temperatures specifically during the extraction phase to selectively dissolve only the oil components while leaving impurities like chlorophyll and waxes in the plant material. The cold solvent has different solubility characteristics compared to warm solvent, creating a selective extraction that targets only desired constituents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary cooling of the solvent before extraction to establish the selective solubility conditions needed. By pre-cooling the alcohol solvent to refrigeration temperatures, the system ensures that only oil components are extracted while impurities remain in the source material, preventing contamination before it occurs
3Reliability
If manual operation and monitoring is required, then process control is achieved, but operator presence and intervention are necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated control systems that manage the extraction process without operator intervention. The system automatically controls solvent circulation, temperature maintenance, and extraction timing, allowing the process to run unattended while maintaining reliability through programmed control sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through programmable logic controllers that monitor process parameters and automatically adjust operations. The PLC system provides continuous monitoring and automatic control, ensuring process reliability while eliminating the need for manual observation and intervention
4Manufacturing precision
If additional processing steps are used to remove impurities, then oil purity is improved, but process complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent takes out the impurity removal problem at the source by using selective cold extraction that prevents impurity incorporation in the first place. By extracting only oil components with cold solvent and leaving chlorophyll, waxes, and carboxylates in the plant material, the system eliminates the need for subsequent winterizing or filtration steps to remove these impurities
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
The apparatus effectively extracts plant oil while minimizing chlorophyll, waxes, and carboxylates, reducing the need for additional processing steps and ensuring operator safety by automating the extraction process.
Implementation Method 1
cooling an alcohol solvent to a temperature of -40°C or lower; contacting plant material containing plant oil with the cold solvent
Implementation Method 2
control the centrifuge to agitate the solvent in contact with the plant material for a period of time and to rotate for a period of time to separate the mixture from the plant material
Implementation Method 3
heating this mixture to convert the solvent to a gaseous state to thereby separate the solvent from the plant oil
Implementation Method 4
cooling the separated gaseous solvent to a liquid to recover the solvent
Data Source
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AI summary
A process and apparatus for extracting plant oil from plant material by cooling an alcohol solvent to a temperature of -40°C or lower, contacting the plant material with the cold solvent to extract plant oil to provide a solvent and plant oil mixture, heating the mixture to convert the solvent to a gaseous state to thereby separate the solvent from the plant oil, and cooling the separated gaseous solvent to a liquid to recover the solvent. The apparatus may include a heat exchanger to cool the alcohol solvent, a centrifuge configured to receive and contact a batch of plant material with the cold solvent to extract oil from the plant material to provide a solvent and oil mixture, and a programmable logic controller to monitor and control the temperature of the cold solvent, control the centrifuge to agitate the solvent in contact with the plant material for a period of time and to rotate for a period of time to separate the mixture from the plant material. A process and apparatus may also decarboxylate the separated plant oil.