Plant Oil Extraction Apparatus with Closed-Loop Solvent Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant oil extraction methods require a large, expensive Class 1, Division 1 (C1D1) room due to the flammable nature of hydrocarbon solvents, necessitating manual operation and operator presence, which is unsafe and costly.
Innovation Solution
An automated plant oil extraction apparatus with a programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling solvent flow, heating, cooling, and pressure, integrated with a fire suppression system and exhaust system, allowing operation in a standard room without requiring a C1D1 environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation methods are used for plant oil extraction, then operator control and monitoring are possible, but operator safety is compromised and operational costs increase due to required manual presence
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction apparatus is designed to automatically perform extraction, solvent circulation, and separation operations without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system self-regulates solvent flow between the extraction chamber and separation chamber, automatically cycles through extraction phases, and maintains operational parameters, thereby eliminating the need for operator presence while ensuring safety
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated control system that uses electrical controls and programmable logic to manage the extraction process. The system substitutes human-operated valves, pumps, and timing mechanisms with automated actuators and electronic control circuits, enabling unattended operation
2Reliability
If Class 1, Division 1 (C1D1) room requirements are implemented for flammable solvent storage, then operator safety is improved, but facility costs and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for C1D1 room containment by extracting the hazardous solvent storage and handling operations from the main facility space. The system uses a closed-loop automated extraction apparatus that contains flammable solvents within sealed chambers and piping, eliminating the requirement for large explosive-proof rooms while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction apparatus creates an inert or controlled atmosphere within its sealed chambers to prevent flammable solvent vapors from reaching explosive concentrations. By controlling the environment within the extraction and separation chambers, the system eliminates the need for C1D1 rated facility construction while maintaining operator safety
3Reliability
If automated control systems are implemented for solvent management, then operator safety is improved and operational costs decrease, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: solvent flow control, temperature regulation, phase separation monitoring, and automated timing sequences. Each module operates independently with dedicated sensors and actuators, making the overall complex system manageable through modular design while maintaining safety through distributed control
4Productivity
If flammable hydrocarbon solvents are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but safety hazards and facility requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains an inert or oxygen-controlled atmosphere within the extraction and separation chambers to prevent flammable solvent vapors from igniting. By controlling the gaseous environment within the sealed apparatus, the system enables use of efficient hydrocarbon solvents without the fire hazards that would normally require costly C1D1 facility construction
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of solvent handling by maintaining solvents in liquid phase within sealed chambers at controlled temperatures and pressures. By controlling temperature and pressure parameters, the system prevents solvent vaporization and eliminates fire hazards while preserving the extraction efficiency of flammable solvents
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 safe and efficient plant oil extraction without the need for a C1D1 room, reducing costs and ensuring operator safety by automating the process and managing flammable solvents effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a chiller configured to cool volatile solvent in the plant material container to maintain at least some of such volatile solvent in a liquid state
Implementation Method 2
a heater configured to heat at least some of at least liquid state volatile solvent in the collection vessel to a gas state
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger configured to receive at least some compressed volatile solvent gas from the compressor pump and to cool and condense at least part of the compressed volatile solvent gas to a liquid state
Data Source
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AI summary
A plant oil extraction apparatus may include a volatile solvent tank, an oil bearing plant material container for receiving at least some of the volatile solvent, a chiller for cooling volatile solvent to a liquid state in contact with the oil bearing plant material, a vessel for collecting at least some of the mixture of volatile solvent and plant material, a heater for heating at least liquid state volatile solvent to a gas state, a compressor for compressing volatile solvent gas to a higher pressure, and a heat exchanger to cool and condense at least part of the compressed solvent gas to a liquid state and to return at least part of the condensed liquid volatile solvent to the solvent tank. The cycling of the apparatus may at least in part be controlled by an electronic controller and a human machine interface may be used by an operator to input data to the electronic controller.