Method of making and using a poly-grain grind matrix of raw materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid-liquid extraction methods fail to effectively prevent channeling of solvents in extraction columns, leading to uneven extraction of compounds from raw materials, resulting in poor quality effluent with under-extraction in some areas and over-extraction in others.
Innovation Solution
A compact, cost-effective extraction apparatus with a matrix of raw materials ground to specific particle sizes, forming a network to reduce interstitial spacing, and a method involving pressurized solvent distribution to control the extraction process, including a filtration system to ensure all constituents are extracted and filtered efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If raw materials are improperly packed within the extraction column, then the solvent flows through areas of least resistance forming channels, but this results in uneven extraction with over-extraction in some areas and under-extraction in others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a porous distribution plate with multiple holes of varying sizes at the bottom of the extraction column. This porous structure distributes the solvent uniformly across the raw material bed, preventing channeling by forcing the solvent to flow through many small pathways rather than finding areas of least resistance. The porous plate ensures even wetting and consistent extraction throughout the raw materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary packing of raw materials to a specific height and density before extraction begins. The raw materials are pre-compressed and levelled to create a uniform bed structure that prevents channeling during solvent flow. This preliminary preparation ensures that the extraction process proceeds uniformly without developing channels that would cause uneven extraction.
2Device complexity
If traditional extraction methods are used without a distribution plate, then the apparatus is simpler, but channeling occurs leading to poor extraction quality
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution plate incorporates a porous structure with multiple holes that distributes solvent uniformly. This relatively simple porous component prevents channeling without requiring complex mechanical systems, maintaining apparatus simplicity while dramatically improving extraction uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution plate acts as an intermediary component between the solvent inlet and the raw material bed. It mediates the solvent flow by distributing it evenly across the entire cross-section of the extraction column, preventing direct channeling into the raw materials and ensuring uniform extraction throughout.
3Productivity
If solvent flows through channels in improperly packed materials, then the process is faster, but the extracted effluent quality is poor with under-extraction in some areas
Solution Approach 1:
The porous distribution plate creates numerous small flow pathways that increase the surface area of solvent-Raw material contact. This maintains extraction speed by allowing continuous solvent flow while ensuring complete extraction by distributing solvent uniformly across all raw material particles, preventing channels that would cause under-extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution plate segments the solvent flow into many small streams through its multiple holes. This segmentation increases contact between solvent and raw materials by distributing the flow across the entire bed rather than allowing concentrated channel flow, thereby maintaining productivity while improving extraction completeness.
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 solution ensures uniform extraction of volatiles, solids, and constituents from raw materials, maintaining the quality and flavor of the extracted compounds by preventing channeling and ensuring complete extraction and filtration, achieving a more concentrated extract in less time compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
distributing a flow of pressurized solvent at the base of the extraction vessel to extract the ground raw materials
Implementation Method 2
the matrix of raw materials may also aid in filtering the raw material particles from the extracted effluent as the effluent flows through the matrix of raw materials
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a matrix of raw materials, also referred to as a poly-grain grind matrix. In some embodiments, the matrix of raw materials may form an interlocking network of varied particle grind sizes that allows the particles to nest and interlock with one another when packed into an extraction vessel, so that most, but not all of the interstitial spacing within the matrix of raw materials is closed. Additionally, the varied particle sizes may be selected by pre-determined weight ranges and size classifications so that the particle grind sizes achieve the desired consistency uniformity. This may allow the network of particles to act as its own best filtering agent during the extraction process. Moreover, the nesting and interlocking network of the particles within the matrix of raw materials may allow the particles to be effectively packed within the extraction column, thus allowing for an efficient and high quality extraction to be performed consistently each and every time.