Supercritical CO2 Extraction Apparatus for Plant Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting organic compounds from plant material, such as essential oils, often require caustic, flammable, or expensive solvents, and involve complex apparatus or incomplete extraction, with difficulties in solvent disposal and the need for expert personnel.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using subcritical or supercritical carbon dioxide in a sealed chamber to extract organic compounds from plant material, allowing for selective extraction without flammable solvents and complex apparatus, utilizing a chamber with a heating element, porous container, and separator to efficiently separate the compounds from the carbon dioxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional organic solvents (butane, propane, hexane, alcohol) are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency can be achieved, but the process requires hazardous, flammable, caustic solvents with high disposal costs and expert personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of carbon dioxide by adjusting pressure and temperature parameters to achieve supercritical or subcritical states, enabling efficient extraction without hazardous solvents. The system controls CO2 pressure to range from subcritical (below 73 atm) to supercritical (above 73 atm) states, and temperature from -78°C to room temperature, transforming CO2 into an effective extraction medium that is non-flammable and non-toxic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses carbon dioxide as a disposable extraction medium that can be easily discarded after use. CO2 is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and requires no special disposal procedures unlike traditional solvents. The system allows for simple venting and recovery of CO2 without complex purification or neutralization processes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If supercritical carbon dioxide is used for extraction, then hazardous solvents are eliminated, but the apparatus becomes more complex with specialized components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service approach where the carbon dioxide itself serves multiple functions: it is the extraction medium, the pressure source, and the separation medium. The system uses the natural properties of CO2 phase changes and density variations to achieve extraction and separation without requiring complex external systems. The separator utilizes centrifugal force from gas flow to automatically separate extracted compounds from CO2
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-functional apparatus where a single chamber serves as both the extraction vessel and the separation chamber. The same CO2 stream that performs extraction also performs separation when passed through the separator. The heating element serves both to maintain CO2 in supercritical state and to facilitate final separation. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to separate extraction and separation systems
3Productivity
If heating is applied to extract compounds, then extraction can be performed, but heat may damage the extracted constituents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the extraction parameters from high-temperature thermal energy to high-pressure mechanical energy. By applying pressure to CO2 to achieve supercritical or subcritical states, the system achieves efficient extraction without requiring elevated temperatures. The CO2 can be maintained at temperatures from -78°C (dry ice) to room temperature, preserving heat-sensitive compounds while maintaining extraction effectiveness through pressure-induced density changes and enhanced solubility
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
Enables efficient extraction of organic compounds without the need for hazardous solvents, allowing for easy collection and reducing the risk of damage to constituents, while being environmentally friendly and accessible for home or small-scale use.
Implementation Method 1
converting the solid CO2 to liquid, or to a supercritical fluid as the temperature and pressure rise above the Critical Point
Implementation Method 2
converting the solid CO2 to liquid
Implementation Method 3
Extractions using subcritical/supercritical carbon dioxide have the advantage that CO2 is non-toxic; non-flammable; operates around room temperature
Implementation Method 4
the extraction efficiency of carbon dioxide for certain compounds may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing pressures and/or temperatures of the carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 5
a separator for receiving supercritical and subcritical carbon dioxide containing extracted organic compounds from the chamber and for separating the extracted organic compounds from the supercritical and subcritical carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for extracting organic compounds from plant materials using subcritical or supercritical carbon dioxide is described. The apparatus has a sealable pressure chamber into which carbon dioxide dry ice and the plant materials are inserted, the pressure chamber, once sealed, self-pressurizing as the container and contents are warmed to a chosen temperature, converting the solid CO2 to liquid, or to a super-critical fluid as the temperature and pressure are raised above the Critical Point. The chamber can be rotated when subcritical CO2 liquid is employed to improve mixing between the liquid and the plant material. After a suitable extraction time, the carbon dioxide solvent containing the extracted material is directed into a separator such that the carbon dioxide and extracted material can be effectively separated, thereby avoiding significant quantities of viscous and waxy extracted materials remaining in the chamber and valves after the carbon dioxide solvent is warmed and allowed to exit the chamber.