Infrared Heating Cannabis Plant Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for drying cannabis plant material are either too slow or risk premature decarboxylation of cannabinoid compounds, and existing heating techniques can cause degradation of other components like terpenes.
Innovation Solution
A method using infrared radiation with a wavelength of 3 to 10 microns to heat cannabis plant material to specific temperatures for controlled drying and decarboxylation, allowing for rapid drying while minimizing decarboxylation of cannabinoids and preserving other compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heating is applied to accelerate drying of Cannabis plant material, then drying time is reduced, but decarboxylation of cannabinoid compounds occurs prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies specific parameter changes by using infrared radiation at wavelengths of 3-10 microns to heat the Cannabis plant material to temperatures between 100°F and 200°F. This controlled parameter range enables rapid drying while avoiding the temperature threshold that triggers premature decarboxylation of cannabinoid compounds, thus resolving the contradiction between drying speed and compound integrity.
2Productivity
If high temperature heating is applied to decarboxylate cannabinoid compounds, then decarboxylation efficiency is improved, but degradation of terpene compounds and other plant material occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs precise parameter control by using infrared radiation at 3-10 microns to heat the material to temperatures of 200°F or higher for decarboxylation. This specific temperature and wavelength range achieves efficient decarboxylation of cannabinoid compounds while minimizing the degradation of terpene compounds and other heat-sensitive plant material components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional humidity-controlled room drying is used, then cannabinoid compound integrity is preserved, but drying time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional passive humidity-controlled room drying system with an active infrared radiation heating system. By using infrared radiation at 3-10 microns, the system accelerates the drying process from weeks to hours or minutes while maintaining cannabinoid compound integrity through controlled temperature exposure, thus resolving the time-integrity contradiction.
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
Enables rapid drying of cannabis plant material with minimal decarboxylation of cannabinoids and reduced degradation of terpenes, achieving a desired ratio of cannabinoid to decarboxylated cannabinoid and effectively sanitizing the material.
Implementation Method 1
exposing the Cannabis plant material to infrared radiation emitted from an infrared heater, the radiation having a wavelength of from about 3 to about 10 microns
Implementation Method 2
heating the Cannabis plant material to a temperature of from about 100° F. to about 400° F.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a method of drying Cannabis plant material generally comprising exposing the Cannabis plant material to infrared radiation emitted from an infrared heater, such as a catalytic gas heater, the radiation having a wavelength of from about 3 to about 10 microns; and heating the Cannabis plant material to a temperature of from about 100° F. to about 400° F.