Separation of cannabinoids from mixtures thereof by extraction and distillation

An apparatus for isolating one or more cannabinoids from an input mixture, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a volatizing unit that is configured to receive and volatilize a first input mixture into a cannabinoid-containing vapor stream and a residue;
• (b) a mixing vessel that is configured to receive and to combine the cannabinoid-containing vapor stream with a high boiling-point carrier agent to provide a second input mixture, wherein one or more cannabinoids are extracted into the high boiling-point carrier agent in the second input mixture;
• and
• (c) a distillation unit for receiving the second input mixture, wherein the distillation unit is configured to separate a first cannabinoid within the second input mixture from at least a second cannabinoid.

A method of isolating one or more cannabinoids from an input mixture, the method comprising steps of:

• (a) combining a first input mixture with a high boiling-point carrier agent to provide a second input mixture, wherein one or more cannabinoids from the first input mixture are extracted into the high boiling-point carrier agent in the second input mixture;
• (b) volatilizing the second input mixture to provide a cannabinoid-containing vapor stream and a residue;
• (c) conducting the cannabinoid-containing vapor stream to a distillation unit that separates a first cannabinoid within the cannabinoid-containing vapor stream from at least a second cannabinoid;
• and
• (d) collecting a product comprising the first cannabinoid.

A method of isolating one or more cannabinoids from an input mixture, the method comprising steps of:

• (a) introducing a first input mixture into a volatizing unit for separating the first input mixture into a cannabinoid-containing vapor stream and a residue;
• (b) combining the cannabinoid-containing vapor stream with a high boiling-point carrier agent to provide a second input mixture, wherein one or more cannabinoids from the cannabinoid-containing vapor stream are extracted into the high boiling-point carrier agent in the second input mixture;
• (c) conducting the second input mixture to a distillation unit that separates a first cannabinoid within the second input mixture from at least a second cannabinoid;
• and
• (d) collecting a product that comprises the first cannabinoid.