Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid designated chemically as 2-[(1R,6R)-3-Methyl-6-(1-methylethenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-yl]-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol. Its empirical formula is C.sub.21H.sub.30O.sub.2 and its molecular weight is 314.46. CBD is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the Cannabis sativa L. plant. CBD is a white to pale yellow crystalline solid which is insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents. The present invention encompasses the surprising recognition that certain CBD preparations which are prepared from a botanical origin are more effective in treating diseases or disorders than preparations of CBD which are synthetic or purified to the extent no other impurities in the form of other cannabinoids are present. Prior CBD compositions have been prepared such that no psychoactive components, e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), remain in the final CBD preparation. Surprisingly, the absence of such minor impurities reduces the efficacy of CBD treatment. Such CBD preparations are characterized by chemical components and/or functional properties that distinguish them from prior CBD compositions. One or more components of the preparations described herein provide an unexpectedly synergistic effect when utilized in combination.

A system for extracting liquid is provided. The system includes a vacuum source and a nozzle having a wettable plunger and a vacuum tube connected in flow communication with the vacuum source. When the plunger is partly submerged in the liquid and the vacuum source is actuated to initiate a flow of gas through the vacuum tube, droplets of the liquid separate from at least a portion of the unsubmerged part of the plunger and become suspended in the gas flow. The system also includes a cooling structure positioned adjacent to the vacuum tube to facilitate solidifying the droplets suspended in the gas flowing through the vacuum tube.

A method of desalinating an aqueous composition includes forming a hetero-azeotrope mixture by combining the aqueous composition with an entrainer, the aqueous composition including at least one salt, and subjecting the hetero-azeotrope mixture to distillation at a distillation temperature of less than the boiling temperature of the aqueous composition for an operating distillation pressure, resulting in separating the hetero-azeotrope mixture into a distillation bottoms liquid and a multi-phase condensate. The method includes recovering the multi-phase condensate having an entrainer-rich phase and an aqueous phase, the aqueous phase comprising desalinated water, and removing a portion of the aqueous phase from the multi-phase condensate to recover the desalinated water. Systems for conducting the method of desalinating an aqueous stream are also disclosed.

A CO.sub.2 extraction process for cannabis sativa that uses liquid CO.sub.2 in combination with co-solvent admixtures to purify cannabis botanicals in high yield and purity. The extraction process allows for multiple extractions, or washes, to be performed with the same solvent CO.sub.2, which may be seamlessly recycled and purified between subsequent extraction cycles. A variety of in-line filtration vessels, pumps, vacuums, and controllable valves are used to yield a pure product while allowing a high level of user control over the process.

Disclosed herein are processes for producing highly concentrated bleach slurries containing a mixture of crystals of solid sodium hypochlorite pentahydrate in a liquid phase saturated in sodium hypochlorite and containing sodium hydroxide or other alkaline stabilizers. Bleach slurries and compositions exhibiting enhanced stability are also disclosed.

Provided is a technique for continuously performing poor solvent crystallization or reactive crystallization. A porous membrane in which multiple pores through which a liquid passes are formed internally partitions the treatment container into a first flow space and a second flow space. A raw material liquid supply unit continuously supplies a raw material liquid to the first flow space. A treatment liquid supply unit continuously supplies a treatment liquid to the second flow space at a pressure at which the treatment liquid passes through the porous membrane and enters the first flow space. An extraction unit continuously extracts a mixed liquid of the raw material liquid and the treatment liquid from the first flow space. An aging unit precipitates and grows crystals of a target substance from a mixed liquid.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid designated chemically as 2-[(1R,6R)-3-Methyl-6-(1-methylethenyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-yl]-5-pentyl-1,3-benzenediol. Its empirical formula is C.sub.21H.sub.30O.sub.2 and its molecular weight is 314.46. CBD is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in the Cannabis sativa L. plant. CBD is a white to pale yellow crystalline solid which is insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents. The present invention encompasses the surprising recognition that certain CBD preparations which are prepared from a botanical origin are more effective in treating diseases or disorders than preparations of CBD which are synthetic or purified to the extent no other impurities in the form of other cannabinoids are present. Prior CBD compositions have been prepared such that no psychoactive components, e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), remain in the final CBD preparation. Surprisingly, the absence of such minor impurities reduces the efficacy of CBD treatment. Such CBD preparations are characterized by chemical components and/or funtional properties that distinguish them from prior CBD compositions. One or more components of the preparations described herein provide an unexpectedly synergistic effect when utilized in combination.

A method of treating brines (10) comprising the steps of: pre-cooling the brines using a stream medium before further cooling the brines using a refrigerant. This further cooling of the brines continues until a first temperature equal to a eutectic freezing point of a mineral salt suspended in the brines is reached, such that the brines are transformed into an ice slurry. The ice is then separated from the ice slurry for use as part of the pre-cooling step. The remainder of the ice slurry is filtered to recover crystallised mineral salts suspended therein. A system for performing the method is also described.

A method of desalinating an aqueous composition includes forming a hetero-azeotrope mixture by combining the aqueous composition with an entrainer, the aqueous composition including at least one salt, and subjecting the hetero-azeotrope mixture to distillation at a distillation temperature of less than the boiling temperature of the aqueous composition for an operating distillation pressure, resulting in separating the hetero-azeotrope mixture into a distillation bottoms liquid and a multi-phase condensate. The method includes recovering the multi-phase condensate having an entrainer-rich phase and an aqueous phase, the aqueous phase comprising desalinated water, and removing a portion of the aqueous phase from the multi-phase condensate to recover the desalinated water. Systems for conducting the method of desalinating an aqueous stream are also disclosed.

A method for purification and separation of cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol, e.g., from dried hemp and cannabis leaves can use a continuous simulated moving bed process, a batch column chromatography method, or a single column, and a combination of one or more of a sequence of purification steps including: filtration, decolorization, activation or decarboxylation, dewaxing, polishing, and crystallization to separate a cannabinoid from the cannabis plant and to provide various cannabinoid products. The cannabinoid products can be used in various pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.