Supercritical CO2 extraction, also known more simply as CO2 extraction, is already a standard extraction method for the food, dry cleaning, and herbal supplement industries. If you are searching for pure concentrates, there’s no better method than CO2 Extraction.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) can be heated and compressed into a supercritical fluid, meaning that it can effuse through solids like gasses but still dissolve material like liquids. This phase diagram shows where traditional indications of the physical state become homogenous, though it can be imagined as a spectrum between liquid-like and gas-like that can be navigated for various purposes. In the extraction process, the super-critical CO2 acts as a solvent. Historically, CO2 was thought to be a nonpolar solvent, primarily because of its low dielectric constant and zero molecular dipole moment. Owing to its significant quadrupole moment, CO2 has also been described as a quadrupolar solvent.
Recent studies suggest that the microscopic solvent behavior of CO2 exhibits the potential to act as either a weak Lewis base or acid. Additionally, strong theoretical and experimental evidence indicates that CO2 participates in conventional or nonconventional hydrogen-bonding interactions.
Regardless of the technical intricacies, the physical constants of the supercritical CO2 can be tuned for a more selective extraction than either polar or non-polar traditional solvents. Which is to say, it’s pushed through the plant matter at such a high pressure that it separates the concentrate matter precisely, isolating only the purest essence.
CO2 is non-toxic so there’s no need to purge any of the solvent from the concentrate after the processing, but it should also evaporate/sublimate once warming above -78.5C making removal automatic. This saves time and leads to the purest concentrates since it requires no post-processing purging.
This is why CO2 is the best method of cannabis concentrate extraction. Supercritical CO2 is chemically stable, reliable, low-cost, non-toxic, non-flammable and readily available, making it a desirable candidate working fluid. It’s easier, more effective, and the safest method because CO2 is naturally occurring. You’re not risking the inhalation of any other chemicals or substances other than pure cannabis extract. And, it’s not just safer for consumers, but also for manufacturers; CO2 is less flammable than the vast majority of alternatives. High natural abundance keeps costs low; our generators are able to replace any gas lost from the atmosphere.
Overview
- The system maintains real-time processing trend analytics and includes historical data for ease of replication of optimized finished product.
- The automated temperature & pressure correction maintains target temperature through the control of hot water valves and maintenance of pressure in the vessels.
- Each system has built-in gas recovery made of a gas and liquid pump. This enables CO2 to be put in the backup accumulator and storage tanks, meaning quick turn around time and multiple runs a day.
- Effortless processing and fine-tuning with fully automated controls saves time and money.
- The remote system gives the processor remote control while the smart alarm system will notify the user of any issues that may need attending.
- Modular component configurations mean more reliability and maximum uptime maximum uptime.
MRX CO2 Xtractors Features
Operations for the MRX system is automatic and easy to operate. This
is a key advantage in producing quality extractions with little or no
experience. The system has watchdog intelligence to monitor and
adjust the following:
- Auto start charging the system.
- Bi-directional system pressure correction.
- Bi-directional product temperature corrections.
- Automatic Discharge and shut off of the system.
- System dialer for alarm notifications.
The touchscreen makes operations easy:
- Extractor home screen and system checklist
- Maintenance (Manual Hardware Settings and Controls)
- Overview (System Operational Overview)
- Alarm (Alarm history)
The MRX system is a fractional system and has three process buttons on the home screen that will automatically set system parameters:
- THC
- CBx
- Terpenes
The Product Vessel
is designed to easily load and unload. It operates
at a normal working pressure of 1,600 PSIG or 11.03 Mega-Pascals.
Major vessel components are listed: 6” Schedule 80 seamless SS 340 Pipe,
Vessel Body 6” Slip-On Flanges, 900lb, Top & Bottom Spring assist hinges
both Top & Bottom 6” Blind Flanges, 900 lb, Top & Bottom 8” Schedule 10
SS 304 outer Pipe for Heating Fittings & Mounting Brackets. Maximum
ASME pressure rating is 1,900# Maximum water temperature 105 deg. F.
Closures ASME Flange with O-Ring seals. 20 micron top flange filter.
Bottom flange extraction temperature measurement thermocouple. Top
flange pressure sensor with mechanical PRV safety backup.
The Accumulator Vessel
is designed to maintain a nominal volume of gas at
a working pressure of 1,600 PSIG. The vessel is designed with an outer
cooling jacket that extends the length of the main vessel. Major vessel
components are listed: 6” Schedule 80 seamless SS 340 Pipe, Vessel Body
6” Dished Top & Bottom 8” Schedule 10 SS 304 outer Pipe for Cooling
Fittings & Mounting Brackets. The top of the accumulator has a mechanical
PRV valve for safety. Pressure at the outlet of the accumulator is also
monitored. Maximum ASME pressure for the vessel is 1600 PSI
The Large Separator Vessel
is designed to operate at a working pressure of
800 PSIG. The vessel is designed with a heating jacket that extends the
majority of the vessel length. Major vessel components are
listed: 3” Heavy Wall SS 304 Tubing, Vessel Body 3” Heavy Wall TC
fittings and Top Cap Bolted TC Clamp 4” SS 304 outer Tube for Heating
Fittings & Mounting Brackets. The top of the large separator has a
mechanical PRV valve for safety. Pressure at the outlet of the large separator
is also monitored. Maximum ASME pressure for the vessel is 900PSI.
The Collection Cup Vessel
is designed to attach to the Large Separator and
easily detach for replacement and cleaning. The vessel is designed to operate
at 800 PSIG and has a mirror polished interior. Major vessel components
are listed: 3” Heavy Wall SS 304 Tubing, Vessel Body 3” Heavy Wall TC
fittings and Top Cap Bolted TC Clamp 4” SS 304 outer Tube for Heating
Fittings & Mounting Brackets.
The Small Separator Vessel
is designed to operate at a working pressure of
800 PSIG. Major vessel components are listed: 2” Heavy Wall SS 304
Tubing, Vessel Body 2” Heavy Wall TC fittings Top & Bottom 2” Heavy
Wall Caps with fittings Top & Bottom Bolted TC Clamp 3” SS 304 outer
Tube for Heating Fittings & Mounting Brackets. Maximum ASME pressure
for the vessel is 900 lb.
The Skid Frame
is designed to mount all vessels listed above along with
mounting brackets for some auxiliary components, as modified. The skid
design is still in process and will change. Materials are listed below: 1.5” SS
304 Square Tubing, Main Frame 7 gauge SS 304 Sheet, Fork Pockets 4”
Heavy Duty Casters.
The CO2 Gas pump
has a maximum inlet pressure of 1250 PSI (86 bar) All
wetted parts are 316 SS. Outlet working pressure has PRV safety valve.
The SS Liquid pump
is a single air drive head pump type and has maximum
working pressure of 4060PSI. The air drive inlet pressure for the liquid
pump is 15 to 145 PSI. The pressure ratio is 1:28
The Heat exchangers
construction are tube in tube style made of 304
stainless steel. The cooling and heating temperature control is accomplished
by the outer tubes circulation of either cold or hot water and the inner tubes
circulating CO2.
Install Overview:
Foot print for the 20L L64”,W30”,H 80”
Electrical Data for controller
120VAC single phase
Electrical Data for New Silver 15/500, 15 hp, 130 gallon compressor/dryer
208 – 230 V, 3 Phase – (Single Phase Option available upon request)
Electrical Data for FIYRRICE RT Liquid Storage
220 V, 3 Phase (Single Phase Option available upon request)
User Supplied: CO2 tanks with syphon tube
Below are examples of closed-loop systems:
