The second chamber is where the supercritical transition occurs. The supercritical co2 is then passed through the cannabis or cannabis biomass to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes. The resulting solution is then pumped into the third chamber, where the co2 phase changes back to a gas, retaining the precious cannabinoid extract at the bottom and ready for reuse of the co2.
The benefits of co2 extraction
co2 extraction has many benefits that appeal to consumers and extractors alike. One of the biggest advantages is that it is an environmentally friendly (or "green") solvent. It leaves no unpleasant chemical residues, creating a purer, healthier end product.
Safe: co2 is food safe (for sodas), non-flammable, inert and non-toxic.
Effective: You can fine-tune the strength of the liquid by adjusting its density.
Compared to other solvents, the residue after extraction is almost zero, resulting in a higher purity end product.
The critical temperature of co2 is close to room temperature, which means it is an ideal solvent for temperature-sensitive materials.
What products are best suited for Supercritical CO2 Extraction Machine?
With the ability to extract the "full spectrum" of cannabinoid derivatives, co2 is ideal for producing full-spectrum cannabis fractions and their accompanying delicate terpenes, which give each cannabis and cannabis strain its unique flavor and aroma. highly valued by connoisseurs.
A variety of cannabinoid derivatives can be extracted with trained extractors by adjusting the ratio of pressure, temperature and solvent. As a result, co2 based products have become the product of choice in the cannabis and hemp market for a variety of food products from edibles to isolates.co2 is extremely customizable and adaptable to changing market demands, making it ideal for small startups and large MSOs.
Learn more about co2 supercritical extraction.
Hydrocarbon Extraction (Butane, Hexene, etc.)
A major benefit of starting an extractor is that hydrocarbon extraction equipment is typically less expensive to acquire than co2 and ethanol equipment. Hydrocarbon extraction can provide an effective end product suitable for application, but it may not be the best method for producing other cannabinoid derivatives such as CBD and THC isolates.
Hydrocarbons such as propane and butane have been used for food extraction for over fifty years. In the right hand, they are highly capable of extracting derivatives from cannabis and hemp with high purity. Up to 90% concentration of phytocannabinoids.
How does hydrocarbon extraction work?
Hydrocarbon extraction usually uses butane as the primary solvent, although other hydrocarbons such as propane and hexane may sometimes be used depending on the desired end product.
Butane has a boiling point as low as 30.2°F (-1°C) and Supercritical CO2 Extraction Machine is used as a liquefied gas in the extraction process. This low temperature maintains the integrity of temperature-sensitive terpenes and other fine derivatives.
Propane is also commonly used for cannabinoid extraction. At -43.6°F (-42°C), its boiling point is even lower than that of butane. A mixture of two hydrocarbons is often used because propane readily extracts other compounds from the plant, such as the delicate terpenes, and is less likely to leave residual hydrocarbons in the resulting solution.
Hydrocarbon Extraction Process
The hydrocarbon extraction process typically begins with the release of cold liquid butane from a solvent tank into a tower containing cannabis or cannabis biomass. This action dissolves the terpenes and cannabinoids (THC, CBD and other minor cannabinoids) as well as plant waxes and lipids.
The cannabinoid concentrate can then be further refined (depending on your desired end product).
Dewaxing can be performed with an in-line dewaxing kit, which is typically included in most closed-loop hydrocarbon extraction equipment
Centrifugation can separate out the fine plant terpenes if desired
Winter freezing using chilled ethanol can separate lipids and waxes from cannabinoid solutions. While this is more thorough than in-line dewaxing, it may degrade terpenes, so use with caution!
The concentrated cannabinoid solution then ends up in a collection vessel where butane (or other hydrocarbon solvents) should be outgassed using heat and vacuum. Depending on the desired product, these final steps may include stirring and/or drying in a vacuum oven. The separated butane solvent is then collected for reuse in the next batch.
Benefits of Hydrocarbon Extraction
The use of hydrocarbons for cannabinoid extraction is becoming more and more common. Not only due to the cheaper price of hydrocarbon extraction equipment, but for several other reasons.
Purity and authenticity of the strain: If your end product is durable for high-end connoisseurs, using hydrocarbons will help maintain the authentic flavor of the strain. These types of extracts were once considered high-end products, but are becoming increasingly popular among THC and CBD consumers.
Time and throughput: For most final products, the cycle time for hydrocarbons is about an hour. This is much faster than supercritical CO2, which can take 6 to 10 hours.
Using trimming: Hydrocarbons can extract cannabinoids from the less desirable parts of the cannabis and hemp plant. The rest of the pruning - trimming off the small leaves of the buds after harvest - is an economical way to extract a high-quality resin rich in cannabinoids.
Versatility in producing multiple end-products: depending on the strain of the plant material and the production method, skilled extractors can adjust the content of butane and propane to produce multiple end-products.
Higher yields: Hydrocarbon extraction can produce yields of 14% to 30% by weight, resulting in increased utilization of plant material.
Which products are best suited for hydrocarbon extraction?
Hydrocarbons are ideal for the production of edible cannabinoid derivatives such as bud, butane hash oil (BHO), shatter, honeycomb, crushed, resin and wax. But hydrocarbon derivatives are not only limited to spreadable substances, they can also be used for topical applications, edibles, vape cartridges, tin agents, capsules, etc.
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