U.S. patent application number 15/919040 was filed with the patent office on 2019-06-13 for extraction method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Entheo Gardens Inc. The applicant listed for this patent is Entheo Gardens Inc. Invention is credited to Michael I. Auerbach, William L. Reilly.
Application Number | 20190176052 15/919040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61600182 |
Filed Date | 2019-06-13 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190176052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Auerbach; Michael I. ; et
al. |
June 13, 2019 |
EXTRACTION METHOD
Abstract
A method for extraction of desirable comounds from cannabis
provides for high-cannabinoid full spectrum (HCFSE) extractions,
using CO.sub.2 at low temperature to extract the compounds in an
extraction vessel. The CO.sub.2 with extracted compounds is
transferred to a heated vessel which converts the CO.sub.2 to a
gas, allowing the desired compounds to drop out and be removed.
Inventors: |
Auerbach; Michael I.; (Oak
Grove, OR) ; Reilly; William L.; (Portland,
OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Entheo Gardens Inc |
Portland |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Entheo Gardens Inc
Portland
OR
|
Family ID: |
61600182 |
Appl. No.: |
15/919040 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15634933 |
Jun 27, 2017 |
9919241 |
|
|
15919040 |
|
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|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07D 311/80 20130101;
C07C 2602/42 20170501; C07C 7/005 20130101; B01D 11/0284 20130101;
C07C 17/08 20130101; C07C 7/10 20130101; B01D 11/0215 20130101;
B01D 11/0203 20130101; C07C 17/08 20130101; C07C 13/39 20130101;
C07C 17/08 20130101; C07C 11/21 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01D 11/02 20060101
B01D011/02; C07D 311/80 20060101 C07D311/80; C07C 7/00 20060101
C07C007/00; C07C 7/10 20060101 C07C007/10 |
Claims
1. A method of extracting from cannabis, comprising the steps of:
a) placing cannabis in an extraction vessel; b) introducing
CO.sub.2 into the extraction vessel at an extraction pressure and
at an extraction temperature, c) thereby extracting components from
the cannabis; d) moving the CO.sub.2 with extracted components from
the extraction vessel to a first separator held at a first
separator pressure of between 500 and 900 psi and a separation
temperature thereby dropping out extracted terpenes, cannabinoids
or THC; and e) removing the extracted terpenes, cannabinoids or THC
from the first separator.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the separation
temperature is between 60 to 600 degrees F.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extraction pressure
is between 500 to 2000 psi
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extraction
temperature is between -50 to 80 F.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cannabis is dried
cannabis.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cannabis is
not-dried cannabis.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprises the steps of
moving the CO.sub.2 with any remaining extracted components from
the first separator to a second separator; and removing any
additional extracted terpenes, cannabinoids or THC from the second
separator.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extraction pressure
is between 500 to 700 psi to extract high terpene low cannabinoid
components.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first separator
pressure is between 500 to 600 psi to extract high terpene low
cannabinoid components.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extraction
pressure is between 500 to 700 psi and the first separator pressure
is between 500 to 600 psi to extract high terpene low cannabinoid
components
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extraction
pressure is between 900 to 2000 psi to extract high terpene high
cannabinoid components.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first separator
pressure is between 600 to 900 psi to extract high terpene high
cannabinoid components.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extraction
pressure is between 900 to 2000 psi and the first separator
pressure is between 600 to 900 psi to extract high terpene high
cannabinoid components
14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising f) cooling
the CO.sub.2 after the second separator to return it to a liquid
state.
15. The method according to claim 14, comprising g) reintroducing
the cooled CO.sub.2 to the extraction vessel at an extraction
pressure of between 500 to 2000 psi and at temperatures between -50
to 80 F, and cycling through the steps c through g for a period of
1 to 24 hours.
16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first separator is
held at a temperature of 120 to 130 degrees F.
17. A method of extracting from cannabis, comprising the steps of:
a) placing cannabis in an extraction vessel; b) introducing
CO.sub.2 into the extraction vessel at an extraction pressure and
at an extraction temperature, c) thereby extracting components from
the cannabis; d) moving the CO.sub.2 with extracted components from
the extraction vessel to a first separator held at a first
separator pressure and a separation temperature of 100 to 600
degrees F. thereby dropping out extracted terpenes, cannabinoids or
THC; and e) removing the extracted terpenes, cannabinoids or THC
from the first separator.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first separator
pressure is between 500 and 900 psi.
19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the cannabis is dried
cannabis.
20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the cannabis is
not-dried cannabis.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/634,933 filed Jun. 27, 2017, entitled
EXTRACTION METHOD.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to extraction of substances from
botanical specimens, and more particularly to high-cannabinoid full
spectrum (HCFSE) extractions from cannabis.
[0003] In the cannabis industry, extracts of cannabis plants are
desirable to allow uses other than direct use of the plant
material. A commonly used method of extraction is hydrocarbon
extraction, using propane or butane (or possibly pentane or hexane)
to remove cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. This
method of extraction can be cheaper to operate than other methods,
but the process must be done in a carefully prepared environment to
avoid explosion and injury.
[0004] Other extractors use supercritical CO.sub.2 methods, which
avoid the danger of explosion, but have much higher equipment
costs.
[0005] Both hydrocarbon and supercritical and subcritical CO.sub.2
extraction result in an output material that can include both
desired and undesired compounds from the cannabis (such as residual
hydrocarbon, wax, etc.), requiring post processing, to remove the
hydrocarbons or to remove wax and other components that remain.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with the disclosure, a subcritical CO.sub.2
process is employed to obtain high-cannabinoid full spectrum
(HCFSE) extractions from cannabis.
[0007] The subject matter of the present technology is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of
this specification. However, both the organization and method of
operation, together with further advantages and embodiments
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein
like reference characters refer to like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] The FIGURE is a block diagram of the extraction system in
accordance with the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] The method according to a preferred embodiment of the
present disclosure comprises processing an amount of dried cannabis
in an extraction device using a subcritical CO.sub.2 process at
pressure and temperature values to extract high-cannabinoid full
spectrum (HCFSE) components.
[0010] The preferred manner of performing the process, involves,
with reference to FIG. 1, a block diagram of the extraction device
employed, using an extraction device 10 that comprises an
extraction vessel 12. The extraction vessel is jacketed so that the
temperature thereof can be controlled and maintained at a desired
level. The extraction vessel is connected by pipe 16 to a
collection vessel 18. The collection vessel may have a collection
valve 20. Vessel 18 is connected by pipe 22 to an optional overflow
vessel 24, which may have a collection valve 26. Vessel 24 connects
via pipe 28 to gas/liquid phase change jacketed vessel 30, which is
connected to extraction vessel 12 via pipe 32, through pump 34.
Vessel 30 can receive CO.sub.2 from a CO.sub.2 supply 14 as
desired, which can also supply vessel 12 with CO.sub.2. The device
thereby provides a looped extraction system.
[0011] In use, the specimen which is to have high-cannabinoid full
spectrum material extracted therefrom is loaded into extraction
vessel 12, the vessel is sealed and the pressure in the vessel is
raised to between 500 to 5000 psi by the introduction of fresh
CO.sub.2 at a temperature of between -60 to +80 degrees F. In a
particular example, the specimen will be a quantity of dried or wet
(not dried) cannabis such that desirable high-cannabinoid full
spectrum (HCFSE) components can be extracted therefrom.
[0012] The CO.sub.2, which will suitably be in a liquid state in
vessel 12 will cause the high-cannabinoid full spectrum (HCFSE)
components and other compounds to be extracted from the cannabis,
and operation of pump 34 will move the HCFSE containing CO.sub.2
from vessel 12 into vessel 18. Vessel 18 is suitably maintained at
500 psi at a temperature of 130 degrees F. in a particular
embodiment. Other embodiments can vary the temperature between 60
to 600 degrees F. Vessel 24 is maintained at 120 to 130 degrees F.
and 500 psi, and the high temperature of vessel 18 (and vessel 24)
relative to the extraction vessel will cause the CO.sub.2 to become
a gas, allowing the extracted high-cannabinoid full spectrum
components to drop out of the CO.sub.2, this dropping out occurring
mainly in the extraction vessel 18. The gaseous CO.sub.2 with most
of the high-cannabinoid full spectrum components removed is then
pumped from vessel 18 to vessel 24, vessel 24 operating as an
overflow to allow removal of any residual high-cannabinoid full
spectrum components remaining with the CO.sub.2 gas, to minimize
gumming up the rest of the device. Operation of pump 34 then moves
the gaseous CO.sub.2 from vessel 24 into phase change jacketed
vessel 30, which is suitably maintained to 1000 psi (although the
pressure can be fluctuated between 300 to 5000 psi) at 40 degrees
F. This temperature and pressure returns the CO.sub.2 to a liquid
state, and the now liquid CO.sub.2 is pumped (via operation of pump
34) back into the extraction vessel 12, completing the extraction
loop. Each cycle during of operation of the pump moves the CO.sub.2
and extracts through the system.
[0013] The device is operated for a period of time, such as 2 to 3
hours or as much as 24 hours or more, to allow extraction of a
sufficient amount of the desired high-cannabinoid full spectrum
(HCFSE) components.
[0014] Valve 20 may be opened a slight amount during operation of
the device so that the extracted high-cannabinoid full spectrum
(HCFSE) components may be continuously collected outside of the
device, or may be occasionally opened to allow a quantity of
extracted high-cannabinoid full spectrum (HCFSE) components built
up in vessel 18 to be removed. Any overflow collected in vessel 24
may be removed via valve 26.
[0015] Operation of the device for 2 to 3 hours results in output
that is substantially higher in terpenes. Operation for 24 hours
results in higher cannabinoid content in the output.
[0016] The operational parameters of the device (temperatures and
pressures of the various vessels) can be adjusted such that the
viscosity of the extracted high-cannabinoid full spectrum (HCFSE)
components is at a desired level. For example, if the
high-cannabinoid full spectrum (HCFSE) components are to be used as
liquid for filling e-cigarette cartridges, a certain consistency
range may be desirable. Setting operation of the device to produce
the desired consistency can thereby remove the need for post
processing to dilute or thicken so that the end product flows as
desired.
[0017] Use of the system and process, thus provides a
high-cannabinoid full spectrum (HCFSE) extraction that is ready to
use and that does not require post processing. It is noted that
lower pressure and colder temperatures results in higher terpene
values in the output.
EXAMPLES
[0018] Table 1 provides examples of results from various pressure
levels in the different vessels of the device, illustrating
variation of the resulting extractions.
TABLE-US-00001 Consistency Extraction Separator Separator Vessel of
output Vessel 12 18 24 30 from vessels (psi) (psi) (psi) (psi) 18
or 24 500 500 500 400 Thin oil No wax HTLC 700 500 500 600 Thin oil
No wax HTLC 900 600 600 700 Thin oil No wax HTHC 1050 600 600 800
Thin oil No wax HTHC 1400 650 650 900 Little thicker No wax HTHC
1700 700 700 1000 Little thicker Little wax HTHC 2000 900 900 1200
Little thicker Little wax HTHC What if scenario continue pattern
##STR00001## 2500 1200 1200 1400 Thicker More wax HTHC 3000 1500
1500 2000 Thicker More wax HTHC 4000 2000 2000 3000 Very thick
Heavy wax HTHC 5000 2000 2000 4000 Very thick Heavy wax HTHC HTLC =
High Terpene Low Cannabinoid HTHC = High Terpene High
Cannabinoid
[0019] From the table it can be seen that operation in the lower
ranges of pressures results in an output oil that is thinner, with
high terpene content and low cannabinoid content with no wax
present. Somewhat higher pressures increase the cannabinoid
extraction so that both high terpene and cannabinoid levels are
present. As the pressures increase, the resulting output is
somewhat thicker, but still without wax. Further pressure increases
start to increase the amount of wax present, and still higher
pressures result in a thicker output. Extractions have been run
with extraction vessel 12 up to 2000 psi, but the results can be
predicted that as the pressures are increased, as illustrated in
the lower portions of the table, the thickness of the output will
increase and the amount of wax extracted will increase.
[0020] Variations on the temperatures and pressures (as noted above
in table 1) can be made. For example, vessel 12 is typically held
to between -60 to +80 degrees F. Vessels 18 and 24 can be operated
at between 84 to 200 degrees F.
[0021] Typical operational ranges that have been employed are:
[0022] Vessel 12: -60 to 80 degrees F., 500 to 2000 psi. Keeping
this vessel cold allows extraction to occur without requiring the
post processing of the prior art. -10 to -60 is the range most
often used.
[0023] Vessel 18--130 degrees F., 500 psi. The warmer temperature
of this vessel causes the CO.sub.2 to return to a gas state,
dropping out the extracted terpenes, cannabinoids and THC
[0024] Vessel 24--120-130 degrees F., 500 psi. The bulk of the
extraction takes place in vessel 18, this vessel acts as `overflow`
to extract most of the remaining elements not gathered in vessel
18
[0025] Vessel 30--40 degrees F., .about.1000 psi
[0026] Vessels 18 and 24 will typically have the same
parameters.
[0027] Thus the device can be operated to provide a high terpene
output with low cannabinoid, or a high terpene high cannabinoid
output, as desired, with no or little wax content. High terpene can
mean between 5 to 100% terpene content in the output, with the
terpene content varying on a single extraction run depending on the
time, temperature and pressure values employed.
[0028] While a preferred embodiment of the technology has been
shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that many changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the broader aspects. The appended claims are
therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as
fall within the true spirit and scope of the technology.
* * * * *