Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Hemp into Carrier Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cannabis/hemp extraction methods often result in the loss of therapeutically desirable compounds due to vaporization at excessive temperatures and require solvents, leading to residual solvent issues and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A solvent-free system that extracts and infuses full spectrum cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids into a carrier oil using precisely controlled pressure and temperature, maintaining the natural proportions and synergy of the Entourage effect, while being scalable and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional extraction methods use high temperatures to extract cannabinoids, then extraction efficiency is improved, but therapeutically desirable compounds are lost due to vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling temperature and pressure conditions during extraction. The system maintains temperature below the vaporization point of therapeutic compounds while using elevated pressure to enhance extraction efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and compound preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of CO2 between supercritical and gaseous states to achieve extraction without thermal degradation. By controlling pressure and temperature to maintain CO2 in a supercritical state during extraction, then allowing it to return to gaseous state for separation, the system achieves high efficiency while preserving thermally sensitive compounds
2Productivity
If solvent-based extraction methods are used, then extraction speed is improved, but residual solvent contamination occurs requiring post-extraction detoxification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates harmful solvents from the extraction process entirely by using supercritical CO2 as a replacement. This 'taking out' approach removes the source of contamination while maintaining extraction speed, as CO2 evaporates completely leaving no residual solvent in the final product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful role of solvents into a beneficial process by using CO2 - a substance that is non-toxic, non-flammable, and completely evaporates. The CO2 serves the beneficial function of rapid extraction while its complete evaporation converts what would be a contamination risk into a clean extraction medium
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing steps are performed separately (extraction, decarboxylation, filtration), then processing quality is improved, but processing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple processing steps into a single integrated supercritical extraction process. By combining extraction, decarboxylation, and filtration functions into one continuous operation using supercritical CO2, the system maintains high processing quality while dramatically reducing processing time and eliminating the need for separate processing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The supercritical CO2 extraction system performs multiple functions simultaneously - it extracts cannabinoids, facilitates decarboxylation through controlled temperature and pressure, and enables filtration when CO2 returns to gaseous state. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving comprehensive processing quality without requiring multiple separate steps
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 method produces a concentrated, detoxified full spectrum infused oil that preserves the therapeutic compounds, reduces processing time and costs, and eliminates the need for post-extraction detoxification, allowing for safe long-term storage and efficient production.
Implementation Method 1
an elevated pressure and increased reaction temperature are established in the pressure reaction to elevate the boiling point of the water/moisture in the plant material
Implementation Method 2
an elevated pressure and increased reaction temperature are established in the pressure reaction to elevate the boiling point of the water/moisture in the plant material which allows enhanced diffusion
Implementation Method 3
elevate the boiling point of the water/moisture in the plant material which allows enhanced diffusion of the phyto-cannabinoids, terpenes, and the flavonoids into the carrier oil
Data Source
AI summary
A system for preparing a medicinal substance containing full spectrum of therapeutically desirable substances in naturally occurring proportions found in hemp plants, carried out by grinding a whole hemp plant to produce fine particles material, and exposing the fine particles material to an elevated pressure (11 PSI-15 PSI) and a reaction temperature maintained in a range of 230 F-250 F which is below a boiling point of the phyto-cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, thus providing enhanced conditions for solvent-free extraction of the therapeutically desirable substances and diffusing the extracted substances into the carrier oil at an enhanced rate. Thus producing an infused oil final product containing a full spectrum phyto-cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids in naturally occurring proportions.