Advantages of CO2 Extraction and how does it work?

ADVANTAGES OF CO2 EXTRACTION METHOD: KEY TAKEAWAY

Because supercritical fluid has excellent mass transfer characteristics of gas and solvation ability equivalent to liquid solvents, supercritical fluid extraction using it as a separation medium is considered to integrate the two-unit operations of distillation and liquid-liquid extraction to a certain extent.

The advantages of this form a unique separation technology. The basis of the theory is the phase equilibrium relationship of the fluid mixture in the supercritical state, which operates in the mass transfer process.

Purer

CO2 extracted material is free of residual solvents.

Nothing is left behind once the extraction is over since the carbon dioxide bubbles away, leaving no trace in the end product.

Safer

Comparing CO2 cannabis extraction to butane or propane? Don’t forget to include the facility costs for processing with compressed flammable gas.

CO2 extraction is often used in the extraction of plant essential oils。

SUPERCRITICAL CO2 EXTRACTION METHOD

The most commonly used supercritical fluid in the supercritical fluid extraction process is SC-CO2, and the products obtained by supercritical CO2 are mostly a mixture of volatile oils, greases, alcohols, ethers, esters, resins, and other lipophilic chemical components; The size of the extraction system will vary depending on the batch size. Samples can be as small as 10 grams, and as large as hundreds of kilograms. Some systems have the option to be automated, so the producer does not need to be present during the batch. Supercritical CO2 extraction takes longer to complete than other methods, due to the continuous fluctuations in temperature and pressure. For example, the extraction of 20 lbs. of plant material can take 4 to 6 hours.

HOW DOES CO2 EXTRACTION WORK?

To perform an extraction, the plant material must be ground and placed into an extraction vessel. CO2 gas undergoes high temperature and pressure. A pump then forces supercritical CO2 into the extraction vessel where it meets the plant and breaks the trichomes allowing it to dissolve part of the plant material. A pressure release valve then allows the material to flow into a separate vessel, where an internal compressor and heater are used to adjust pressure and temperature. By changing the temperature and pressure as well as flow rate, certain molecules will bond to CO2, allowing them to be separated from the plant. Many systems will reroute CO2 back into the tank to be used during the next batch. The extract is then moved to a collection jar, such as a beaker.