Tetrafluoroethane Extraction Apparatus for Cannabis Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for essential oil extraction, such as distillation and solvent extraction, often require multiple treatments and are inefficient for certain plant materials like cannabis, which necessitates improved techniques for yield and composition extraction.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing tetrafluoroethane as a solvent for low and high-pressure extraction, incorporating an extraction module for plant material treatment, a separating module for active component separation, and a solvent recycling system, allowing for continuous extraction and efficient recovery of active components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional distillation or solvent extraction methods are used for plant material like cannabis, then the extraction process can be performed with simple equipment, but the yield and composition of essential oil extraction are insufficient and require multiple treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide at specific high pressure (73-300 atm) and temperature (31-50°C) conditions. This changes the physical state and extraction properties of the solvent, enabling single-step extraction that achieves superior yield and composition compared to traditional methods without requiring multiple treatment stages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transitions of carbon dioxide between supercritical and gaseous states. By transitioning CO2 to a supercritical state for extraction, then allowing it to return to gaseous state for separation, the system achieves efficient single-step extraction with complete solvent removal, eliminating the need for multiple treatment processes while improving yield and composition
2Productivity
If multiple treatments are used to improve essential oil extraction yield, then the extraction efficiency increases, but the processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action through an automated supercritical fluid extraction system where carbon dioxide continuously circulates through the extraction chamber, separating chamber, and back to extraction. This continuous cyclic process maintains optimal extraction conditions throughout, achieving high extraction efficiency in a single continuous operation rather than multiple discrete treatment steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the separating chamber and pre-conditioning the carbon dioxide stream before extraction. These preliminary preparations ensure that when the supercritical fluid enters the separating chamber, the phase transition and separation occur immediately and efficiently, reducing overall processing time while maintaining high extraction efficiency
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional solvent extraction is used, then the equipment and process are simple, but the solvent requires multiple separation steps and recycling is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of carbon dioxide from supercritical to gaseous state in the separating chamber. This natural phase change causes the solvent to automatically separate from the extracted materials through pressure reduction, eliminating the need for complex multi-step separation processes. The gaseous CO2 is then easily condensed and recycled back to the extraction chamber with minimal loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by allowing the carbon dioxide to automatically separate from the extract through pressure-induced phase transition in the separating chamber. The solvent performs its own separation function without requiring additional separation equipment or multiple processing steps, and the condensed CO2 automatically returns to the extraction chamber for reuse, minimizing solvent loss and simplifying the overall process
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
Enhances the yield and composition of essential oil extraction from cannabis and other plants by using tetrafluoroethane, enabling efficient extraction and recycling of solvents, thereby improving the overall process efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the second heater is disposed around the separator to vaporize the liquid tetrafluoroethane of the solution to a gaseous tetrafluoroethane
Implementation Method 2
the gaseous tetrafluoroethane in the separator is conducted by the second outlet pipe to the second outlet pump, compressed into the liquid tetrafluoroethane
Implementation Method 3
the plant material is soaked in the liquid tetrafluoroethane from the reservoir to extract active components of the plant material and form a solution with the active components
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for plant extraction are disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an extraction module, a separating module and a reservoir. The method essentially includes plant material preparing, decarboxylating, active components extracting and separating. By using liquid tetrafluoroethane as the solvent in the apparatus of the present invention, the active components of the plant material are efficiently extracted under low pressure extraction and high pressure extraction conditions.