Pressurized Plant Slurry Processing for Cannabinoid Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cannabinoid extraction from hemp and cannabis involve wet harvesting followed by high-temperature drying, which leads to a significant decrease in cannabinoid content and stability, making the final product susceptible to degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a slurry of plant material, application of heat and pressure in a pressurized tank with an inert gas to convert acid-form cannabinoids to neutral forms, followed by drying in a refractance window dryer to stabilize the product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high-temperature drying is used to prevent mold and degradation, then plant material stability is improved, but cannabinoid content decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drying parameters by using low temperature (ambient or refrigerated conditions) combined with extended time periods, and introduces novel drying methods (refractance window drying, freeze drying, supercritical fluid drying) that achieve stabilization without high-temperature exposure, thereby preserving cannabinoid content while still preventing mold and degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary decarboxylation treatment to convert acid-form cannabinoids to neutral forms before drying, which stabilizes the cannabinoid content and prevents degradation during subsequent storage, allowing lower drying temperatures that preserve overall cannabinoid quantity
2Quantity of substance
If wet harvesting is used to maintain plant material quality, then cannabinoid preservation is improved, but mold and degradation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces preliminary decarboxylation and stabilization treatments immediately after wet harvesting that convert unstable acid-form cannabinoids to stable neutral forms and reduce moisture content sufficient to prevent mold growth, enabling subsequent low-temperature or ambient drying without degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/thermal drying systems with alternative methods including refractance window drying (using selective light transmission), freeze drying (sublimation), and supercritical fluid drying, which achieve moisture removal and stabilization without high-temperature exposure that would degrade cannabinoids
3Loss of time
If direct sunlight drying is used for simplicity, then processing time is reduced, but cannabinoid degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of light exposure by using refractance window drying where specific wavelengths are transmitted to promote drying while others are blocked to prevent photo-degradation of cannabinoids, achieving efficient drying without the harmful effects of direct sunlight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces solar thermal drying with controlled environmental drying systems, freeze drying, and supercritical fluid drying that achieve rapid moisture removal through controlled phase changes rather than uncontrolled solar heating, preserving cannabinoid content while maintaining efficiency
4Stability of the object's composition
If high-temperature oven drying is used to ensure complete drying, then moisture removal is improved, but cannabinoid stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature-time parameters by using extended drying periods at low temperatures (ambient or refrigerated) or controlled low-temperature processes that achieve sufficient moisture removal for mold prevention without the thermal degradation that occurs with high-temperature oven drying
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional thermal convection drying with refractance window drying (radiative heating with selective transmission), freeze drying (sublimation under vacuum), and supercritical fluid drying (CO2 extraction), which achieve thorough moisture removal through alternative mechanisms that do not involve high-temperature exposure
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 method achieves a final product with significantly higher cannabinoid concentrations and stability, allowing storage at ambient temperatures for extended periods without refrigeration, while minimizing evaporation and oxidation losses.
Implementation Method 1
applying heat and pressure to the slurry inside the tank to generate a processed plant material
Implementation Method 2
drying the processed plant material in a dryer to produce a dried product
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for processing a plant material, such as cannabis and/or hemp. An example method includes: providing a slurry of plant material; providing an inert gas; adding the slurry and the inert gas to a tank; applying heat and pressure to the slurry inside the tank to generate a processed plant material; removing the processed plant material from the tank; and drying the processed plant material in a dryer to produce a dried product comprising cannabidiol (CBD).