Turbulent Processor Shearing Trichomes for High-Yield Cannabinoid Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating cannabinoids from cannabis plants are inefficient, labor-intensive, and result in low yields, often incorporating excessive energy and introducing harsh flavors due to solvent use, with traditional washing processes achieving only 30% to 50% recovery.
Innovation Solution
A continuous system and method involving a metered feed system, turbulent processor with rotating and static teeth, and multiple filtration stages to separate or extract cannabinoids using a fluid or solvent, achieving high yields and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional washing processes using ice and water are used to separate cannabinoids, then the resinous trichome heads become more brittle and easier to separate, but excessive energy is consumed due to the requirement for ice and continual cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from frozen/cold (ice-based) to ambient or warm conditions. The chemical solvent extraction process operates effectively at higher temperatures without requiring continuous cooling, thereby eliminating the energy-intensive ice and cooling requirements while maintaining or improving separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical agitation and physical breaking method (which requires cooling to make resin brittle) with a chemical dissolution mechanism. The solvent directly dissolves cannabinoids from the plant material, eliminating the need for mechanical force and the associated cooling requirements.
2Productivity
If traditional washing processes are used to separate cannabinoids, then some separation is achieved, but only 30% to 50% of the potential cannabinoid material is recovered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces inefficient mechanical washing and agitation with chemical extraction using solvents. The solvent selectively dissolves cannabinoids from the plant matrix, achieving much higher recovery rates (75% or more as stated in the patent) compared to the 30-50% recovery of traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the extraction mechanism from physical/mechanical (washing) to chemical (solvent dissolution). This parameter change in the extraction mechanism enables significantly higher cannabinoid recovery by leveraging the solubility properties of cannabinoids in selected solvents.
3Productivity
If solvents are used to dissolve plant biomass material and extract cannabinoids, then cannabinoids are extracted into the solvent, but harsh flavors are introduced to the end product due to long duration of blending and agitating
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses high-speed turbulent mixing to rapidly complete the extraction process in a short time period. This 'rushing through' the extraction step minimizes the duration of solvent contact and agitation, thereby reducing the development of harsh flavors while maintaining high extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic or intermittent agitation rather than continuous long-duration blending. The turbulent processor provides intense but brief mixing periods, which achieves extraction without the prolonged exposure that causes harsh flavor development.
4Productivity
If basic washing machines that use solvents are used for extraction, then cannabinoids are dissolved in the solvent, but the process takes time for the solvents to work
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses turbulent mixing and high-speed agitation (analogous to vibration principles) to dramatically accelerate the extraction process. The turbulent processor creates intense mixing that rapidly dissolves cannabinoids into the solvent, reducing processing time from hours to minutes while maintaining complete extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from static or slow mechanical washing to dynamic high-speed turbulent mixing. The turbulent processor creates rapidly changing flow patterns and intense shear forces that dramatically speed up the solvent penetration and cannabinoid dissolution 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
The system achieves cannabinoid recovery yields of 75% or more, processing large volumes of plant material efficiently and effectively, with the option to reuse filtered liquids, and can be adapted for both separation and extraction processes.
Implementation Method 1
agitating the slurry between rotating and static teeth and shearing trichomes from the plant material
Implementation Method 2
coarse filtering the mixture and removing portions of the plant material
Implementation Method 3
using solvents to dissolve the plant biomass material, leaving the cannabinoids with the solvent in a tincture form
Data Source
AI summary
Cannabinoids can be separated or extracted from plant material. Versions can include a process for separating trichomes from plant material, including mixing plant material with a fluid in a metered feed system and forming a slurry; pumping the slurry into a turbulent processor, agitating the slurry between rotating and static teeth and shearing trichomes from the plant material to form a mixture of fluid, trichomes and plant material; coarse filtering the mixture and removing portions of the plant material to form an interim mixture; and then second filtering the interim mixture and removing other plant material and some trichomes to form a resulting mixture comprising other trichomes and fluid.