Whole Hemp Stalk Processing for Cannabinoid Oil Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hemp processing methods are inefficient and costly, as they require separation of bast fiber and shive before processing, which reduces the utilization of whole hemp stalks and increases processing expenses.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for processing whole hemp stalks into particulate hemp without separating bast fiber and shive, involving preliminary size reduction, processing, and further size alteration to produce various hemp products like hemp fines, pellets, and crumbs, allowing for the use of nearly 100% of the stalks and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If bast fiber and shive are separated before processing, then processing quality is improved, but processing cost increases and utilization of whole hemp stalks decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing size reduction of whole hemp stalks into particulate form before any separation or processing steps. This preliminary size reduction enables subsequent processing of the particulate hemp without requiring prior separation of bast fiber and shive, thereby maintaining processing quality while reducing costs and increasing utilization of the whole stalk.
2Manufacturing precision
If bast fiber and shive are separated before processing, then processing quality is improved, but utilization of whole hemp stalks decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs size reduction of whole hemp stalks into particulate form as a preliminary step before processing. This approach allows the entire stalk including both bast fiber and shive to be utilized in subsequent processing steps, eliminating the need for separation and thereby maximizing utilization of the whole hemp stalk while maintaining processing quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processing steps are used to create different product sizes, then product versatility is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by creating multiple product size ranges from the particulate hemp through sequential processing steps. Different size ranges (e.g., 0.06-0.25mm, 0.25-0.5mm, 0.5-1mm) are produced to meet different application requirements, thereby achieving product versatility through controlled size segmentation rather than complex multi-functional processing equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing hemp to form a dry hemp product including cannabinoid oil comprises steps of: (i) cutting hemp plants growing in a field between about 85 days and about 120 days after seeding, such that the hemp plants include at least one of leaves and flower buds but are free of seed; (ii) drying the hemp plants to a prescribed moisture content of about 5% to about 15%, by leaving the hemp plants in the field to air dry; (iii) shaking the hemp plants to shear said at least one of the leaves and the flower buds from stalks of the hemp plants so as to form separated stalks and said at least one of the leaves and the flower buds which are not deformed; and (iv) screening the separated stalks and the leaves and/or the flower buds so as to be separated from one another.