Microwave Extraction of Essential Oils Under High Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for extracting essential oils from plant matter, such as cannabinoids, often require flammable solvents or high-pressure equipment, posing safety concerns and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of microwave energy in conjunction with high vacuum within a closed loop vessel design to vaporize and re-condense essential oils, eliminating the need for flammable solvents and high-pressure vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flammable solvents (butane, propane, ethanol) are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but safety risks and facility modification costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the extraction system by using supercritical CO2 instead of flammable solvents, operating at elevated temperatures (31-50°C) and pressures (73-300 atm). This parameter change maintains extraction efficiency while eliminating flammability risks and reducing facility modification requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses CO2 as an inert atmosphere for the extraction process. CO2 is non-flammable and creates an inert environment that eliminates safety concerns associated with flammable solvents like butane, propane, and ethanol, while still enabling effective cannabinoid extraction
2Reliability
If supercritical CO2 is used for extraction, then safety is improved, but equipment cost and processing rate limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes CO2 extraction parameters by operating at moderate temperatures (31-50°C) and pressures (73-300 atm), which reduces the complexity and cost of pressure vessels compared to supercritical extraction requirements. This parameter optimization maintains safety while reducing equipment modification costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a straightforward CO2 extraction system that uses readily available equipment rather than requiring expensive, highly specialized supercritical extraction vessels. The system prioritizes cost-effective equipment that can be modified more easily while maintaining safety standards
3Productivity
If conventional extraction methods are used, then extraction capability is achieved, but thermal degradation of valuable molecules occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameters of the extraction process to operate at lower temperatures (31-50°C) compared to conventional high-temperature methods. This temperature optimization reduces thermal degradation of sensitive cannabinoids and terpenoids while maintaining effective extraction capability through the use of CO2 and controlled pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of CO2 (between supercritical and gaseous states) to enable extraction at lower temperatures. By controlling pressure and temperature to achieve phase changes, the system can extract cannabinoids and terpenoids effectively without requiring the high temperatures that cause thermal degradation
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 method effectively extracts essential oils without the use of flammable solvents or high-pressure equipment, reducing safety risks and costs while minimizing thermal degradation of valuable molecules.
Implementation Method 1
using at least one vacuum pump to reduce the pressure within the interior of the extraction vessel with the plant matter therein to an absolute pressure of less than 1.0 mm Hg absolute pressure
Implementation Method 2
applying microwave energy to the plant matter that is within the extraction vessel while the interior of the extraction vessel is under the reduced pressure
Implementation Method 3
condensing the vapor to a liquid state such that the vapor includes at least a portion of the essential oil, by utilizing the at least one condenser means
Data Source
AI summary
A method of extracting an essential oil from plant matter, starting with providing plant matter to an interior of an extraction vessel, wherein the plant matter includes at least one essential oil. Next, at least one vacuum pump is used to reduce the pressure within the interior of the extraction vessel with the plant matter therein to an absolute pressure of less than 1.0 mm Hg absolute pressure. Microwave energy is applied to the plant matter while the interior of the extraction vessel is under the reduced pressure, thereby forming a vapor including at least a portion of the essential oil. The vapor is directed from the extraction vessel to at least one condenser vessel. Finally, the vapor is condensed to a liquid state such that the vapor includes at least a portion of the essential oil, by utilizing the at least one condenser vessel.