Supercritical CO2 Extraction Apparatus with Integrated Heat Exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid extraction systems face inefficiencies in separating extracted materials from process fluids, particularly when using supercritical carbon dioxide, as they struggle to maintain optimal pressure and temperature conditions, and often require complex valve configurations and additional components like heat exchangers and back pressure regulators.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an extraction vessel with filters, a separation chamber, and a process fluid circulation conduit that allows selective flow control and temperature regulation, using supercritical carbon dioxide as the process fluid to efficiently separate botanical oils and waxes from source materials by controlling pressure and temperature through a regenerative heat exchanger and temperature regulation fluid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex valve configurations and additional components like heat exchangers and back pressure regulators are used, then pressure and temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (heat exchange, pressure regulation, temperature control) into a single integrated heat exchanger component. This heat exchanger serves as both a thermal exchange device and a pressure/temperature control mechanism, eliminating the need for separate back pressure regulators and complex valve configurations while maintaining reliable control of extraction conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: thermal energy exchange, pressure regulation, and temperature maintenance. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable operation
2Productivity
If supercritical carbon dioxide is used as process fluid, then extraction efficiency is improved, but maintaining optimal pressure and temperature conditions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure and temperature parameters through controlled heat exchange to maintain supercritical state of carbon dioxide. By continuously monitoring and modifying these parameters within optimal ranges, the system preserves high extraction efficiency while managing the complexity of maintaining supercritical conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated heat exchanger incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor pressure and temperature conditions and automatically adjust heat exchange rates to maintain optimal supercritical state. This closed-loop control simplifies the management of pressure and temperature requirements compared to open-loop systems requiring multiple independent control mechanisms
3Manufacturing precision
If extraction vessel with filters and separation chamber is used, then separation of extracted materials is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction system is divided into distinct functional segments: extraction vessel with filters for solid-liquid separation, separation chamber for material separation, and heat exchanger for thermal control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system clarity and reducing operational complexity through modular design
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 extraction and separation of botanical oils and waxes by maintaining optimal pressure and temperature conditions, improving the yield and purity of extracted materials while simplifying the system's operation and reducing the need for complex valve configurations.
Implementation Method 1
permit a portion of the extracted material to separate from the mixture within the separation chamber
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger configured to regulate temperature of the process fluid prior to ingress of the process fluid into the extraction vessel
Implementation Method 3
The extraction vessel can include an extraction vessel filter adapted to retain portions of the source material while also allowing the mixture to pass
Data Source
AI summary
An extraction apparatus comprises an extraction vessel configured to remove an extracted material from a source material in contact with a process fluid to form a mixture. The apparatus further comprises a separation chamber and a process fluid circulation conduit, the conduit comprising a separation portion configured to receive the mixture and permit a portion of the extracted material to separate from the mixture within the separation chamber. The apparatus further comprises a temperature regulator configured to permit re-circulation of a temperature regulation fluid and regulate the temperature of the process fluid.