Rubber and by-product extraction systems and methods

A method for extracting a rubber-containing non-polar solvent fraction from a rubber bearing plant, the method comprising:

• (a) introducing into a first extraction system biomass from the plant or parts thereof and a liquid solvent comprising water, an aqueous solution or a combination thereof;
• mixing the biomass with the liquid solvent at a temperature of between about 50° C. and about 100° C. to generate a carbohydrate-containing liquid and a carbohydrate-depleted biomass solids, and separating the carbohydrate-depleted biomass solids from the carbohydrate-containing liquid;
• wherein the rubber bearing plant is of the genus Taraxacum or is another non-Hevea plant
• (b) introducing into a second extraction system the carbohydrate-depleted biomass solids from the first extraction system and a polar organic solvent;
• mixing the carbohydrate-depleted biomass solids with the polar organic solvent to generate a liquid polar organic solvent fraction and polar compound-depleted biomass solids;
• and separating the liquid polar organic solvent fraction and the polar compound-depleted biomass solids;
• (c) introducing into a third extraction system the polar compound-depleted biomass solids from the second extraction system and a non-polar organic solvent;
• mixing the polar compound-depleted biomass solids with the non-polar organic solvent to generate a liquid non-polar organic solvent fraction and spent biomass solids;
• and separating the non-liquid polar organic solvent fraction and the spent biomass solids;
• wherein at least one of the first, second, or third extraction systems comprises a plurality of continuous stirred tank extraction stages arranged in fluid communication with each other in series such that effluent from one continuous stirred tank extraction stage flows continuously to a next continuous stirred extraction stage in the series of the plurality of continuous stirred tank extraction stages of each extraction system, at least one of the continuous stirred tank extraction stages in each extraction system having an inlet adapted and configured to receive the solvent and an inlet adapted and configured to receive the biomass or the solids, the at least one continuous stirred tank extraction stage is adapted and configured to mix and form a homogeneous slurry, the homogeneous slurry corresponding to the solvent and solid of the respective extraction system and the effluent of the at least one continuous stirred tank extraction stage, and each extraction system further comprising a solid-liquid separator arranged in fluid communication with a last in series of the continuous stirred tank extraction stages of the respective extraction system and adapted to receive the effluent therefrom, wherein the solid-liquid separator is adapted and configured to separate the carbohydrate-depleted biomass solids, polar compound-depleted biomass solids, or spent biomass solids from the carbohydrate-containing liquid, the liquid polar organics fraction, or the rubber-containing non-polar solvent fraction.