In-situ optical spectroscopic monitoring, characterization and feedback control of extraction and purification processes of compounds such as oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes and cannabinoids derived from plant material are described. Liquids from an extraction or purification process flow down an optically transparent tube, such as one made of glass. An in-situ optical monitoring assembly is configured to be mounted onto the tube to measure optical properties of the liquid extract or liquid condensate as it flows in the tube. Optical properties of the flowing liquid may include optical transmittance, reflectance, photoluminescence, scattering, absorbance, turbidity, nephelometry, polarimetry and colorimetry. The output of the optical monitoring assembly can be used to display spectral and other about the flowing liquid, set alarms to notify an operator of a predetermined condition such as a set point, and used to control extraction or purification process.

In-situ optical spectroscopic monitoring, characterization and feedback control of extraction and purification processes of compounds such as oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes and cannabinoids derived from plant material are described. Liquids from an extraction or purification process flow down an optically transparent tube, such as one made of glass. An in-situ optical monitoring assembly is configured to be mounted onto the tube to measure optical properties of the liquid extract or liquid condensate as it flows in the tube. Optical properties of the flowing liquid may include optical transmittance, reflectance, photoluminescence, scattering, absorbance, turbidity, nephelometry, polarimetry and colorimetry. The output of the optical monitoring assembly can be used to display spectral and other about the flowing liquid, set alarms to notify an operator of a predetermined condition such as a set point, and used to control extraction or purification process.

Botanical materials are dehydrated, ruptured and comminuted into particles by blades or whips in a fluidized bed. Particles separated from a drying gas are transferred to reduced pressure insulated vessels. Solvents dissolve components of the particles under precise temperature control. Solvents are recirculated and distilled to recover distillates. Distillates are refined by thermal and pressure changes to remove fats, waxes and contaminants and are fractionated to specific essential oils. The essential oils are tested, winterized, filtered, decarboxilated, polished, diluted and discharged into collection vessels. The collected essential oils are pumped through needles into sealed cartridges. The cartridges are tamper-proofed, printed and labeled with batch, botanical source, process, tracking and tracing information and codes.

A distillation apparatus has a fraction collector with an internal region surrounded by a concave wall with portals. An inner wall of a lower vertical tube extends downward from the concave wall. An outer wall of the lower vertical tube surrounds a portion of a vertical extent of the inner wall and extends downward from a portion of the fraction collector exterior to the concave wall. A cooling channel extends from above into a portion of the fraction collector interior to the concave wall. An outer shell substantially covers the fraction collector, a portion of a vertical extent of the inner and outer walls of the vertical tube, and a portion of a vertical extent of the cooling channel, excepting for a lower portal from which a portion of a vertical extent of the inner and outer walls of the vertical tube extend, an upper portal from which a portion of a vertical extent of the cooling channel extends, and a side portal.

A distillation unit for producing potable water using solar radiation is disclosed. The distillation unit includes a heating chamber defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a non-potable liquid for distillation, and a dome-shaped condensing portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the condensing portion disposed over the heating chamber such that the heating chamber and the inner surface of the condensing portion are provided in fluid-transfer communication. The distillation unit also includes a pre-heat jacket having a first surface and a second surface and an interior defined therebetween adapted to receive non-potable liquid for distillation therein. The first surface is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the condensing portion, and the pre-heat jacket defines an access entry for introducing non-potable liquid for distillation into the interior of the heating chamber. The distillation unit also includes a trough adjacent for receiving a potable liquid therein.

A distillation unit for producing potable water using solar radiation is disclosed. The distillation unit includes a heating chamber defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a non-potable liquid for distillation, and a dome-shaped condensing portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the condensing portion disposed over the heating chamber such that the heating chamber and the inner surface of the condensing portion are provided in fluid-transfer communication. The distillation unit also includes a pre-heat jacket having a first surface and a second surface and an interior defined therebetween adapted to receive non-potable liquid for distillation therein. The first surface is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the condensing portion, and the pre-heat jacket defines an access entry for introducing non-potable liquid for distillation into the interior of the heating chamber. The distillation unit also includes a trough adjacent for receiving a potable liquid therein.

Various embodiments may include a system for removing contaminants from contaminated water comprising: a distillation still supplying heat to contaminated water to boil the contaminated water; a vent allowing a vapor stream to exit the distillation still; an oxidation unit removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream; an outlet discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit; and a heat exchanger transferring heat from the purified water stream leaving the oxidation unit to the vapor stream exiting the distillation still before the vapor stream enters the oxidation unit.

A process for producing THC-O-acetate using a succession of distillation, salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extractions (SALLEs), and solvent recovery techniques. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis oil reacts with acetic anhydride with hexane and under reflux to produce THC-O-acetate and acetic acid using sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The resulting crude product is distilled and subjected to a SALLE with hexane followed by a SALLE with petroleum ether, before being distilled again in order to obtain a refined, THC-O-acetate product.

A process for producing THC-O-acetate using a succession of distillation, salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extractions (SALLEs), and solvent recovery techniques. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Cannabis oil reacts with acetic anhydride with hexane and under reflux to produce THC-O-acetate and acetic acid using sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The resulting crude product is distilled and subjected to a SALLE with hexane followed by a SALLE with petroleum ether, before being distilled again in order to obtain a refined, THC-O-acetate product.

A distillation assembly which, with the aid of solar energy, continuously evaporates a feed liquor. The distillation assembly includes a container which contains the feed liquor, a container in which the distillate is collected, these containers being in thermal contact, and a compressor. The compressor compresses the vapor which is produced by boiling the feed liquor using the concentration of solar energy and/or using negative pressure, into the distillate container such that the vapor condenses there, and the evaporation enthalpy and thermal energy is returned to the feed liquor by the thermal contact.