Cryogenic processing system for plant material
AssigneeAGT-USA, Inc.
InventorsSteven J. Barberi, Gregory J. Gruzdowich, Louis J. Barberi, Keith W. Kilham
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Abstract
Devices and methods for improved separation of small particles from other stock. The device includes a sifting tray assembly and means for vibrating the screen of the sifting tray assembly for separating components and a cryogenic fluid source and injection system for freezing the small parts to the point where they are solid enough to pass through the screen without adhering to the screen. The method entails use of the system to separate small particles in sifting trays while spraying the stock with a cryogen such as liquid nitrogen.
Claims17
A system for separating small components from larger components of plant stock and separating small particles from plant stock, wherein said plant stock comprises large particles and small particles, said method comprising the steps of:
- a particle separation system 1 comprising a sifting tray assembly 2, said sifting tray assembly comprising (a) an inlet end 12 with an inlet 7 for large particles and small particles, (b) a means 4 for separating the large particles from the small particles, (c) an outlet end 13 with an outlet 8 for discharge of the large particles and an outlet 5 for discharge of small particles, (d) a first container 44 in communication with the outlet for discharge of the large particles for collection of the large particles and (e) a second container 42 in communication with the outlet 5 for discharge of the small particles;
- a cryogen reservoir 25 and a cryogen injector 24 operable to inject a cryogen at cryogenic temperature into the particle separation system to cool the plant stock to cryogenic temperatures to solidify the small particles, wherein, at least after injection, the cryogen comprises a gaseous cryogen;
- a filter means 49 configured to remove any small particles entrained in the gaseous cryogen drawn from the particle separation system;
- and
- a first pump 47 operable to pump the gaseous cryogen, along with any small particles entrained in the gaseous cryogen, from the particle separation system and into the filter means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.