Plant Oil Extraction Using Solvent Phase Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plant oil extraction processes are complex, requiring energy-intensive compressors and vacuums, making them inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained process that uses temperature changes to extract plant oil from organic material, recapturing a solvent to reuse it, which simplifies the extraction and reduces the need for additional equipment like compressors or vacuums, utilizing a solvent like Butane that self-generates pressure and can be recycled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional plant oil extraction processes are used, then oil extraction can be achieved, but the process requires complex equipment including compressors and vacuums, high energy consumption, and long processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex compressor and vacuum systems from the extraction process. Instead of using these complex mechanical systems, the invention employs a self-contained pressure system where solvent naturally pressurizes during extraction and then self-depressurizes during recovery, eliminating the need for external compression and vacuum equipment while maintaining high extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The solvent system performs multiple functions autonomously: it pressurizes itself during the extraction phase through its own vapor pressure, extracts the oil, then self-depressurizes during the recovery phase to release the extracted oil. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external compressors and vacuums, simplifying the equipment while maintaining productivity
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional extraction processes with compressors and vacuums are used, then oil extraction can be performed, but energy consumption is high and processing time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes phase transitions of the solvent (between liquid and vapor states) to drive the extraction process. The solvent vaporizes and pressurizes during extraction, then condenses and depressurizes during recovery. These natural phase transitions provide the necessary pressure changes without requiring external energy input from compressors or vacuums, significantly reducing energy consumption and processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes temperature and pressure parameters naturally through the solvent's phase transitions. By controlling temperature, the solvent automatically adjusts its pressure state - heating causes vaporization and pressurization for extraction, while cooling causes condensation and depressurization for recovery. This parameter change approach eliminates the need for energy-intensive mechanical compression and vacuum systems
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 process efficiently extracts up to 93% of plant oil with minimal equipment, reducing energy consumption and time, and can be automated for larger-scale production.
Implementation Method 1
uses the energy from a change of temperature to extract the plant oil from the organic material
Implementation Method 2
recapturing a solvent that is used to 'pull' the oil out of the organic material
Implementation Method 3
recapturing a solvent... which simplifies the extraction and reduces the need for additional equipment like compressors or vacuums
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides for plant oil extraction. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.