Solvent Vaporization and Condensation Cycle for Thermolabile Compound Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting compounds from materials, such as plants or fungi, often face challenges in efficiently isolating and preserving thermolabile compounds due to high extraction temperatures and oxidative risks, lacking effective control over solvent circulation and pressure.
Innovation Solution
An extraction apparatus featuring a boiler, extraction chamber, condenser, and fluid connections with throttling control, allowing solvent vaporization, condensation, and recirculation to agitate the material, with optional vacuum reduction to lower boiling temperatures and reduce oxidative risks, enabling improved extraction efficiency and thermolabile compound preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high extraction temperatures are used to improve extraction efficiency, then extraction speed increases, but thermolabile compounds degrade and oxidation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the solvent between liquid and vapor states to enable extraction at lower temperatures. The solvent is heated to vaporize, then condensed back to liquid form, allowing the extraction process to occur at reduced temperatures that preserve thermolabile compounds while maintaining extraction efficiency through repeated cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an inert or reduced oxygen environment during the extraction process to prevent oxidation of compounds. By controlling the atmospheric conditions within the extraction system and limiting oxygen exposure, thermolabile and oxidation-sensitive compounds are protected while still achieving effective extraction.
2Productivity
If solvent circulation is increased to improve extraction efficiency, then compound yield increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating solvent circulation system where the solvent automatically cycles between vaporization and condensation phases. The system uses the inherent physical properties of the solvent and simple control mechanisms to maintain circulation without requiring complex external pumping or control systems, thereby achieving efficient extraction with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic cycling of the solvent through vaporization and condensation phases to enhance extraction efficiency. This rhythmic repetition of phase changes creates continuous agitation and solvent renewal at the extraction interface, improving compound yield without requiring constant high-energy input or complex continuous flow systems.
3Temperature
If pressure is reduced to lower boiling temperature, then thermolabile compound preservation improves, but extraction speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous extraction action through repeated solvent cycling despite lower temperatures. By continuously vaporizing and condensing the solvent, the system sustains constant agitation and solvent renewal at the extraction interface, compensating for the reduced extraction speed that would otherwise result from lower temperatures and preserving both thermolabile compounds and extraction productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary heating to vaporize the solvent before it contacts the extraction chamber, ensuring the solvent is in the optimal vapor phase for efficient mass transfer. This pre-vaporization step allows the solvent to penetrate the material effectively even at reduced overall system temperatures, maintaining extraction speed while preserving thermolabile compounds.
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 apparatus enhances extraction efficiency by controlling solvent circulation and temperature, reducing thermal degradation and oxidation, thereby improving the yield and integrity of extracted compounds, particularly thermolabile ones, while maintaining a simpler and self-regulating system.
Implementation Method 1
the solvent vaporizes within the boiler
Implementation Method 2
the vaporized solvent condenses in the condenser
Implementation Method 3
bubbles through condensed solvent within the extraction chamber
Implementation Method 4
so as to agitate the condensed solvent
Implementation Method 5
reducing the pressure within the extraction apparatus reduces a boiling temperature of the solvent
Implementation Method 6
reduces a boiling temperature of the solvent within the boiler
Data Source
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AI summary
An extraction apparatus (100) comprising a boiler (102), an extraction chamber (106) for holding material (116) from which a compound is to be extracted, and a condenser (114) for condensing the vaporized solvent, and returning the condensed solvent to the extraction chamber. A fluid connection (112) between the boiler and the extraction chamber allows passage of vaporized solvent (104) from the boiler to the extraction chamber and condensed solvent (104) from the extraction chamber to the boiler. During use the solvent vaporizes, passes into the extraction chamber and bubbles through condensed solvent within said chamber, thereby agitating said condensed solvent; vaporized solvent condenses and returns to the extraction chamber; condensed solvent extracts the compound by interacting with the material in said chamber; at least a portion of condensed solvent containing the extracted compound returns to the boiler from said chamber; this cycle is repeated. A corresponding method is also disclosed.