Supercritical CO2 Phytochemical Extraction System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cannabis extraction methods face challenges such as low efficiency, high resource consumption, and safety hazards due to solvent-based processes, which are inefficient for low THC content materials and require extensive drying and processing, leading to increased costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A method involving low-temperature heating under vacuum in a thermal chamber with an eductor system to volatilize and condense phytochemicals, eliminating the need for solvents and allowing for selective separation and high-purity extraction of cannabinoids and other phytochemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solvent-based extraction methods are used, then extraction efficiency can be improved, but safety hazards and environmental footprint increase due to flammable and toxic solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flammable and toxic organic solvents with supercritical carbon dioxide, an inert gas that eliminates safety hazards associated with flammability and toxicity. CO2 is non-flammable, non-toxic, and leaves no harmful residues, thereby resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in pressure and temperature parameters to achieve extraction. By adjusting pressure above the critical point (73 atm) and temperature (31°C), CO2 transitions to a supercritical state for extraction, then returns to gaseous state for easy separation, maintaining high extraction efficiency without the need for harmful solvents.
2Quantity of substance
If high potency feedstock is used for solvent extraction, then cannabinoid yield improves, but resource consumption and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supercritical CO2 extraction system is self-regenerating. The CO2 gas is compressed and heated to supercritical state, performs extraction, then automatically depressurizes and cools to return to gaseous state, ready for the next cycle. This closed-loop system eliminates the need for continuous solvent replacement and reduces resource consumption while maintaining high cannabinoid yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers and reuses CO2 throughout the extraction process. After extraction, CO2 is simply depressurized and condensed back to liquid or gaseous state for reuse, rather than being discarded like organic solvents. This recovery approach reduces resource consumption and processing costs while maintaining extraction efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional drying processes are used to reduce moisture content, then processing time and facility footprint increase, but extraction efficiency requires low moisture content
Solution Approach 1:
The supercritical CO2 extraction process can effectively extract cannabinoids from biomass with higher moisture content (up to 40-50% or more) compared to traditional solvent methods that require 10-15% moisture. By changing the extraction parameters (supercritical state of CO2), the process eliminates the need for extensive drying, reducing processing time from 5-15 days to much shorter periods while maintaining or improving extraction efficiency.
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 approach achieves high selectivity and yield in extracting phytochemicals with high purity, reducing processing time and resources, and eliminating solvent-related hazards, thereby improving operational efficiency and product quality.
Implementation Method 1
generating a vacuum in the thermal chamber by circulating a motive fluid through the eductor
Implementation Method 2
an eductor, connected to the thermal chamber through a suction connection, for circulating a motive fluid thereby creating a vacuum within the system
Implementation Method 3
heating the biomass to volatilize one or more phytochemicals in the biomass
Implementation Method 4
a heating source for heating the biomass within the thermal chamber to volatilize one or more phytochemicals
Implementation Method 5
condensing the one or more volatilized phytochemicals by contact of the volatilized phytochemicals with the motive fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to the extraction of phytochemicals, more specifically to methods and systems for the selective extraction of phytochemicals from biomass. A method may comprises placing the biomass into a thermal chamber, the thermal chamber being connected with an eductor through a suction connection, and a discharge port of the eductor being connected to a concentrate tank; generating a vacuum in the thermal chamber by circulating a motive fluid through the eductor; heating the biomass to volatilize one or more phytochemicals; condensing the one or more volatilized phytochemicals by contacting the volatized phytochemicals with the motive fluid; and collecting the one or more condensed phytochemicals into the concentrate tank.