Segmented Chilled Filter Housing for Cannabis Extract Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vertically oriented in-line and T-form filter housings require the main body to be lifted off the base to replace filter cartridges, which is inconvenient and inefficient, especially in the growing cannabis extraction market where high-quality extracts are needed to remove excess lipids and impurities.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage, chilled filter system arranged in a closed-loop configuration with thermally insulated filter stages and transfer tubes, allowing for easy replacement of filter cartridges without lifting the entire housing, and using pressurized gas to facilitate filtration of crude oil and solvent mixtures at different stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional vertically oriented filter housings are used, then filtration function is provided, but maintenance requires lifting the main body off the base which is inconvenient and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is divided into separate components: a base and a lid that can be independently removed. The lid is detachably connected to the base, allowing the lid to be removed without moving the base, enabling easy access to filter cartridges while maintaining structural integrity of the filtration system.
2Productivity
If filter cartridges are replaced by lifting the main body, then filter maintenance is possible, but operational efficiency decreases and thermal insulation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is segmented into a stationary base and a removable lid. This allows maintenance personnel to access filter cartridges by simply removing the lid without disassembling the entire housing or moving the base, significantly reducing maintenance time and operational disruption.
3Ease of repair
If the filter housing is opened for maintenance, then filter cartridges can be replaced, but thermal insulation is lost and water condensation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with a removable lid that can be detached only when maintenance is required. The base remains stationary and thermally insulated throughout operation. This segmented design minimizes exposure to ambient conditions during normal operation while allowing easy access during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation is applied specifically to the base portion that remains in place during operation, while the lid is designed to be removable. This localized insulation approach maintains thermal properties where needed while enabling maintenance access without compromising the insulated base.
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
This configuration enables efficient filtration of cannabis extracts by removing impurities while maintaining the system's thermal insulation and reducing water condensation, resulting in high-quality extracts with minimal disruption and improved maintenance accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-stage, chilled filter system arranged in a closed-loop configuration with thermally insulated filter stages and transfer tubes
Implementation Method 2
using pressurized gas to facilitate filtration of crude oil and solvent mixtures at different stages
Data Source
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AI summary
A filtration system comprises a solvent vessel 12, a plurality of filter stages 14, 16, 18, and the same plurality of transfer tubes 42, 74, 79. Each filter stage 14, 16, 18 has a thermally insulated cylindrical side wall 50, 52, a lid 28, 54 that is removable from the wall, a replaceable, elongated filter cartridge 64, 90, 92, a support with a cartridge locating surface that positions a base of the filter cartridge 64, 90, 92 centrally in the filter stage 14, 16, 18, an inlet port 46 in the lid 54 located to introduce liquid into the filter cartridge 64, 90, 92, an inlet port 80 located to introduce pressurized gas into the filter stage 12, 14, 16, 18 outside of the filter cartridge 64, 90, 92, and a base with an outlet port 70 that drains fluid from outside the filter cartridge 64, 90, 92. The solvent vessel 12 has a thermally insulated side wall 22, 23, an inlet port 30for introducing pressurized gas, and an outlet tube 38 with a first end located at a bottom region of the solvent vessel (12) and a second end located outside the solvent vessel (12). The transfer tubes 42, 74, 79 are each removably connected at an outlet end to one of the inlet ports 46 in one of the lids of the filter stages 14, 16, 18; and at an inlet end to either the second end of the outlet tube 38 of the solvent vessel 12or the outlet port 70 of another of the filter stages. Thus, the solvent vessel 12 and the filter stages 14, 16, 18 are connected in series.