Supercritical Fluid Pump Integral Check Valve Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in superfluid extraction of desirable materials from plants lies in the difficulty of maintaining efficient extraction conditions, particularly at industrial scales, due to slow diffusion rates and the need for precise control of pressure and temperature, which is complicated by natural convection in supercritical fluids and the lack of suitable equipment for handling high pressures.
Innovation Solution
A superfluid extraction system incorporating a cyclone separator with a needle injection manifold and a supercritical fluid pump featuring an integral check valve piston, along with temperature and pressure control mechanisms, is designed to optimize the extraction process by facilitating fluid flow and pressure regulation, ensuring efficient separation and recovery of extractants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If supercritical fluid extraction is used to extract desirable materials from plants, then extraction efficiency and selectivity are improved, but diffusion rates are slow and control of pressure and temperature is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction system is divided into multiple independent extraction chambers that can operate simultaneously. Each chamber contains a separate extraction cell with its own supercritical fluid circulation system, allowing parallel processing of multiple plant materials or multiple extraction cycles, thereby increasing overall productivity without compromising diffusion efficiency in each individual chamber
Solution Approach 2:
Plant material is pre-processed before extraction by grinding, drying, and sieving to optimize particle size and surface area. This preliminary preparation enhances the diffusion rate during supercritical extraction by increasing the contact surface between the supercritical fluid and the plant material, thereby improving extraction efficiency while reducing extraction time
2Manufacturing precision
If precise control of pressure and temperature is implemented, then extraction selectivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs programmable pressure and temperature control systems that can be pre-configured with optimal parameters for different plant materials and target compounds. Digital controllers allow precise adjustment and maintenance of supercritical conditions, enabling high extraction selectivity while simplifying operation through automated parameter management rather than complex manual control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure and temperature sensors continuously monitor the supercritical extraction conditions and provide real-time feedback to the control system. This closed-loop control automatically adjusts heating elements and pressure regulation valves to maintain precise supercritical conditions, ensuring consistent extraction selectivity while reducing the need for complex manual intervention and simplifying the overall control architecture
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 system enhances the extraction efficiency and yield by controlling fluid flow and pressure, reducing waste, and allowing for scalable operations while maintaining the integrity of cannabinoids and volatile oils, thus producing high-quality cannabis concentrates.
Implementation Method 1
Cyclonic separation is a method of removing particulates from an air, gas or liquid stream, without the use of filters, through vortex separation.
Implementation Method 2
Cyclonic separation is a method of removing particulates from an air, gas or liquid stream, without the use of filters, through vortex separation.
Implementation Method 3
Supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) is a fluid state of carbon dioxide where it is held at or above its critical temperature and critical pressure.
Implementation Method 4
One factor that can influence the extraction rate and yield of extractants from plants is the presence of natural convection in supercritical extractor.
Data Source
AI summary
A cyclone separator for a superfluid extraction apparatus comprising a cyclone inlet weldment comprising a cyclone, a collector tube connected to the cyclone inlet weldment, and a needle support manifold extending from the cyclone inlet weldment comprising a fluid flow directing needle, the needle having a relief cut to control fluid flow into the separator. A supercritical fluid pump is described having a piston assembly with a hydraulic cylinder and a cylindrical integral check valve piston with at least two circumferential seals to seal the piston against the barrel insert and a check assembly extending axially through one end of the integral check valve piston and between the at least two circumferential seals to relieve excess pressure.