Cold Filtering of Botanical Extraction Solutions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Filtration of botanical oil extraction solutions is hindered by the re-solubilization of wax constituents due to premature warming, often caused by thermal conductivity of filtration apparatus, leading to inefficiencies in separating valuable oils from impurities.

Innovation Solution

Cooling specific portions of the filtration apparatus to maintain the extraction solution at a reduced temperature, preventing thermal energy transfer and promoting precipitation of wax constituents, thereby maintaining them as a precipitate throughout the filtration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the extraction solution is cooled to precipitate wax constituents, then the filtration effectiveness is improved, but the filtration apparatus may cause premature warming and re-solubilization of the wax

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidsolution temperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration apparatus is pre-cooled to a temperature at or below the precipitation threshold of the wax constituents before the extraction solution is introduced. This preliminary cooling action ensures that the apparatus is already in the correct thermal state to prevent re-solubilization during the filtration process, thereby maintaining the precipitation state of the wax and ensuring effective filtration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature parameter of the filtration apparatus is changed from ambient to a cooled state (at or below the precipitation threshold) before and during filtration. This parameter change creates the necessary thermal conditions to prevent the extraction solution from warming during filtration, thus maintaining wax precipitation and filtration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the filtration apparatus is made of thermally conductive material, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the extraction solution warms too quickly causing re-solubilization of wax

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidpremature warming of extraction solution

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thermally conductive filtration apparatus is pre-cooled to a temperature at or below the precipitation threshold before the extraction solution is introduced. This preliminary cooling compensates for the high thermal conductivity of the apparatus, preventing it from acting as a heat source that would cause premature warming and re-solubilization of the wax constituents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature parameter of the filtration apparatus is changed from ambient to a cooled state before and during filtration. This parameter change overrides the thermal conductivity effect, ensuring that even though the apparatus is thermally conductive, it does not cause premature warming of the extraction solution, thus preventing re-solubilization of wax.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If filtration is performed at ambient temperature, then the filtration process is simpler, but the wax constituents re-solubilize and cannot be effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration process simplicityVSAvoidwax removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration apparatus is pre-cooled to a temperature at or below the precipitation threshold before filtration begins. This preliminary cooling action creates the necessary thermal conditions to maintain wax precipitation throughout the filtration process, ensuring effective removal of wax constituents while keeping the filtration process relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature parameter of the filtration apparatus is changed from ambient to a cooled state before and during filtration. This parameter change enables effective wax removal by maintaining the precipitation state of wax constituents, while the overall filtration process remains operationally simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively removes wax constituents from the extraction solution by maintaining the solution at a temperature that precipitates them, preventing re-solubilization and enhancing the filtration efficiency by limiting thermal energy transfer from the solution to the apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

thermal energy transfer from the extraction solution to the filtration apparatus during the filtration procedure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

cooling or maintaining the extraction solution at a sufficiently reduced threshold temperature throughout the filtration procedure to maintain the wax constituents as a precipitate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS11351490B1Cold filtering of extraction solutions

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 UNIFIED SCIENCE LLC

AI summary

A method for filtering a precipitatable constituent from an extraction solution through a filter apparatus includes pre-cooling at least a portion of the filter apparatus to a reduced temperature that is effective to precipitate the constituent from the extraction solution. At least the cooled portion of the filter apparatus may be thermally conductive to act as a heat sink for the extraction solution being passed through the filter apparatus. The reduced temperature facilitates removal of the precipitatable constituent from the extraction solution.