Phytochemical extraction systems, methods, and devices
AssigneeBizzybee LLC
InventorBoris David Kogon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices for phytochemical extraction. One example extraction system includes two solvent columns, a material column, and a dewaxing column. The solvent columns store and provide solvent for stripping target chemicals from plant material in the material column. The solvent mixed with target chemicals passes into the dewaxing column, where the target chemicals are separated from waxes and lipids. Cooling is applied to elements of the system by way of an open-loop CO2 refrigeration method. Solvent is moved from the solvent columns to the material column by creating a pressure differential between the two solvent columns.
Claims20
1-20. (canceled)
A dewaxing apparatus for a phytochemical extraction system, comprising:
- a first column that includes:
- an inner vessel that is configured to contain a liquid solution of (1) phytochemicals and (2) waxes and/or lipids;
- and
- a jacket that surrounds the inner vessel and that includes an inlet port that is operable to introduce liquid CO2 into the jacket, and wherein the jacket further includes an openable exhaust port that is operable, when opened, to cause a first portion of the liquid CO2 to boil and a second portion of the liquid CO2 to freeze into dry ice snow which accumulates inside the jacket, thereby cooling the surface of the inner vessel and causing the waxes and/or lipids to precipitate out of the solution;
- a first sight glass connected to the top end of the first column, the first sight glass having an input port for introduction of the liquid solution into the inner vessel, the first sight glass providing a view into the inner vessel;
- and
- a second sight glass connected to the bottom end of the first column.
A method for dewaxing a liquid solution of phytochemicals in a dewaxing column that includes an inner vessel, a jacket that surrounds the inner vessel, and a filter stack, the method comprising:
- collecting the liquid solution in the inner vessel of the dewaxing column, wherein the liquid solution includes (1) hydrocarbon solvent, (2) phytochemicals, and (3) waxes and/or lipids;
- cooling the liquid solution to a target temperature of about −40 degrees Celsius;
- precipitating the waxes and/or lipids from the solution by holding the liquid solution at the target temperature for 30-60 minutes;
- and
- draining the solution through the filter stack and into a collection vessel, wherein the filter stack separates the precipitated waxes and/or lipids from the solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.