Trichome Separation via Liquid Nitrogen Flash Freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting trichomes, particularly kief from cannabis plants, are inefficient and not scalable for industrial or commercial production, often requiring extensive drying processes and physical space, and are not effective at maintaining the quality of the end product.
Innovation Solution
A trichome separation system utilizing a liquid nitrogen cooling conveyor, grinder, and agitation mechanism that flash freezes and processes cannabis plant material, allowing for continuous and automated separation of trichomes without the need for initial drying, using a grinder and trommel barrel with inert freezing agents to maintain the material in a frozen state and facilitate separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional sifting methods are used to collect trichomes, then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but the collection efficiency and productivity are low and not scalable for industrial production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by freezing the plant material to alter its physical state. This freezing step changes the material from a soft,难以粉碎 state to a brittle, easily ground state, enabling efficient trichome separation. The temperature parameter transformation allows the material to be processed in a frozen state throughout the grinding and separation steps, significantly improving productivity while managing device complexity through a systematic approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by freezing the plant material before grinding and separation. This pre-freezing step prepares the material in advance, making it brittle and easier to process. By performing the freezing action beforehand, the subsequent grinding and separation operations become much more efficient, enabling industrial-scale production while managing system complexity through structured process design.
2Loss of time
If extensive drying procedures are used to prepare plant material, then the material can be processed, but the process requires extensive physical space and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the traditional approach: instead of drying the plant material first and then processing it, the method freezes the fresh, undried material and processes it in the frozen state. This inverted sequence eliminates the need for extensive drying facilities and time, as the freezing step replaces the drying function and enables direct processing of the material in its frozen form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by transforming the plant material from a fresh, flexible state to a frozen, brittle state. This phase change from liquid-containing fresh material to solid frozen material fundamentally alters the material properties, enabling efficient grinding and separation without requiring prior drying. The phase transition eliminates the need for drying space and time while facilitating the processing operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If plant material is processed without freezing, then the equipment is simpler, but the separation efficiency and quality of kief are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by maintaining the material in a frozen temperature state throughout the grinding and separation process. This temperature parameter control is critical for achieving high kief quality, as the frozen state preserves the integrity of trichomes during processing. The systematic temperature management through freezing and maintaining frozen conditions enables precise separation while managing the complexity of temperature control equipment.
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 enables efficient and effective industrial-scale collection of kief, reducing the need for extensive drying procedures and physical space, while maintaining the quality of the kief, with up to 30-35% of the plant material being separated and collected as kief, and allowing for further utilization of residual material.
Implementation Method 1
Liquid nitrogen can be sprayed directly to the source plant material by way of the liquid nitrogen cooling conveyor
Implementation Method 2
The agitation mechanism is situated downstream of the grinder. Ground source plant material that exits the grinder can be received in the agitation mechanism. Trichomes can be separated from the ground source plant material by way of the agitation mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A trichome separation system and a method of separating trichomes from source plant material are provided. The trichome separation system and method serves to separate and collect trichomes in a manner that has proved more effective and efficient than past techniques, and in a manner that facilitates automated and continuous industrial and commercial scale production. Per varying implementations, the trichome separation system has a liquid nitrogen cooling conveyor, a grinder downstream thereof, and an agitation mechanism further downstream thereof. An inert freezing agent dispenser can also be provided in the trichome separation system.