Multi-function distiller for botanical extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for botanical extraction, such as steam distillation and solvent extraction, are inefficient as they either leave behind valuable compounds like resins and fats or result in the loss of mono terpenes during processing, requiring additional re-extraction steps and risking product damage during transportation between units.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional distillation apparatus that combines steam distillation and solvent extraction in a single system, utilizing a main boiling chamber, a basket for plant material, a heating system, and interchangeable condensers to capture mono terpenes and other botanical constituents, with a solvent recovery distillation process to remove excess solvent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If steam distillation is used to recover mono terpenes, then light oils are effectively captured, but other valuable compounds such as resins, fats, alkaloids and chlorophyll are left behind
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines steam distillation and solvent extraction into a single integrated system. The steam distillation chamber and solvent extraction chamber are connected, allowing the process to transition from steam distillation to solvent extraction without moving the plant material. This merging enables recovery of both mono terpenes (via steam distillation) and other compounds like resins and fats (via solvent extraction), resolving the contradiction between selectivity and total recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can conduct steam distillation to capture mono terpenes, then switch to solvent extraction to recover other botanical compounds. The system's ability to perform both extraction methods universally on the same plant material eliminates the need for separate processing steps and maximizes total compound recovery while maintaining selectivity for different compound types.
2Quantity of substance
If solvent extraction is used to extract all constituents, then all botanical compounds are captured, but mono terpenes are lost during solvent distillation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extraction process into two distinct phases: first steam distillation to capture mono terpenes, then solvent extraction to capture other compounds. By separating the extraction targets into different phases and using different methods for each, the system avoids the problem of mono terpene loss that occurs when solvent distillation is used on material containing these volatile compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs steam distillation as a preliminary action before solvent extraction. This preliminary steam distillation step removes the mono terpenes from the plant material first, so that when solvent extraction and subsequent solvent distillation occur, the mono terpenes are already captured and protected from loss.
3Quantity of substance
If plant material is moved from steam distiller to solvent extractor, then re-extraction can be performed, but the process becomes inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steam distillation and solvent extraction functions into a single integrated apparatus. The steam distillation chamber and solvent extraction chamber are connected within the same system, allowing seamless transition between extraction methods without physically moving the plant material between separate units. This eliminates the time-consuming transfer step while maintaining the ability to recover all botanical compounds.
4Reliability
If separate units are used for distillation and extraction, then specialized processing is achieved, but product damage risk increases during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines distillation and extraction specialized processing into a single integrated system. By maintaining both specialized functions within one apparatus, the system eliminates the need to transport plant material between separate units, thereby removing the harmful factor of transportation-related product damage while preserving the reliability and specialization of both extraction methods.
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 captures all desired botanical products, preventing the loss of mono terpenes and reducing the risk of product damage by integrating both distillation and extraction processes, ensuring efficient recovery of all valuable compounds in a single unit.
Implementation Method 1
a heating system
Implementation Method 2
The oil infused steam then passes through a condenser. The cooled condenser liquefies the steam infused oil
Implementation Method 3
As a preferred solvent will have a much lower boiling point than that of the extract, the solvent is able to re-vaporize and continue the distillation cycle
Implementation Method 4
an optional vacuum system
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-functional distiller for separating target compounds from a base material. The distiller has a basket, boiling tank, and sealable cap. The basket has at least one selectively sealable port for holding the base material. The boiling tank is adapted for containing a solvent, and the basket is attachable above the solvent. The sealable cap may be removeably attachable to the boiling tank to provide a sealed chamber. The sealable cap can be fitted with multiple condensers. One possible condenser is positionable exterior to the boiling tank and functions to condense vapors produced by the boiling tank. A second such condenser is an inverted condenser which is positionable interior to the tank so as to condense vapors produced by the boiling tank and cause the condensate to drip through the base material.