Generally, an extraction system useful in separating an extract from a matrix using one or more extractants. Specifically, an extractor including one or more of: an extraction vessel having an extractor vessel internal surface which defines an extraction chamber which communicates between open extraction vessel first and second ends, a first piston configured to sealably engage the extractor vessel internal surface of the extraction vessel first end or a second piston adapted to sealably engage the extractor vessel internal surface of the extraction vessel second end.

Devices and methods to extract a desired product from organic matter using supercritical fluid extraction processes are described herein. The extraction vessel generally includes a reaction chamber, a water jacket affixed to the reaction chamber capable of separate pressurization, and a closure mechanism with a gasket, a plug, and a cap ring with ACME threading. The extraction vessel may be sealed by hand closure without a need for additional tools to create a seal able to withstand pressures up to 5,000 psi.

The present invention relates to regulation of the p H of a liquefaction process. Presented is a method for treatment of a biomass feedstock wherein the biomass feedstock is subjected to liquefaction, at a p H of at most 4, by treatment with hot compressed liquid water (HCW) at subcritical and/or supercritical conditions to improve the conversion efficiency. The present invention is also directed to quenching of a liquefaction process according to above, preventing, minimizing or eliminating clogging and/or fouling of sticky biomass components in process equipment during processing as according to above, and to the use of additives in a biomass liquefaction process.

The invention relates to methods of separating or isolating a component from a plant using freeze separation. The invention includes products produced by said methods.

A carbon dioxide extraction system which recirculates CO.sub.2 and/or other gases in a continuous loop for maximum extraction efficiency and which recovers substantially all gases at the end of the extraction cycle for cost savings and greater workplace safety. The extractor utilizes a dual pumping system which can incorporate high vapor pressure CO.sub.2 and/or lower vapor pressure gases such as propane, butane, chemical refrigerants such as R134a, and other lower vapor pressure gases. The system allows the operators to work with supercritical CO.sub.2 alone with high pressure liquid pump(s), lower vapor pressure gases alone with modified refrigerant recovery pump(s), or a mixture of CO.sub.2 and lower vapor pressure gases using a combination of high pressure liquid pump(s) for extraction and modified refrigerant recovery pump(s) for full recovery of gases at the end of an extraction cycle.

Use of supercritical Y-grade natural gas liquids for a variety of processes and across numerous industrial applications is described herein. The low viscosity, high density, and tunable solvent properties of supercritical Y-grade natural gas liquids are useful for example in enhanced reservoir recovery and treatment, control of chemical reactions and processes, and/or single or two-phase separations.

Determination of Analytes in a Sample Matrix by Solvent Extraction A method for the assay of one or more analytes in a sample matrix comprising the steps of: performing analyte extraction on the sample matrix, said analyte extraction comprising combining the sample matrix with a solvent for an extraction period which is less than that required for reaching equilibrium; and separating the analyte containing solvent from the sample matrix; next measuring a level of analyte present in the separated solvent; and then applying in a computer a calibration by which is established a mathematical relationship between levels of analyte extracted from each of a plurality of reference samples by means of the process employed above in the extraction for the sample matrix and a reference value of the levels of analyte for each reference sample to thereby derive a measure of the level of analyte in the sample matrix. Specifically a method to determine the amount of mycotoxins in cereal grain, especially OTA (ochratoxin A) and DON (deoxynivalenol) by mixing with a solvent comprising water alcohol mixture, with 20-40% ethanol by volume.

Provided is a supercritical fluid chromatography system, and components comprising such a system, including one or more of a supercritical fluid chiller, a supercritical fluid pressure-equalizing vessel, and a supercritical fluid cyclonic separator. The supercritical fluid chiller and the use of the chiller allow efficient and consistent pumping of liquid-phase gases employing off-the-shelf HPLC pumps in the supercritical chromatography system using liquid-phase gas mobile phase. The pressure equalizing vessel allows the use of off the shelf HPLC column cartridges in the supercritical chromatography system. The cyclonic separator efficiently and effectively allows for separation of sample molecules from a liquid phase or gas phase stream of a supercritical fluid.

A system for producing a blended extract of cannabinoids and terpenes, which extracts terpenes using supercritical CO2, and extracts a cannabinoid concentrate from the residual material using a cold ethanol flush followed by distillation; the CO2-extracted terpenes are then added back to the cannabinoid concentrate in a final blending step. Blending terpenes at the end of extraction may enhance the flavor and effectiveness of the cannabinoid concentrate. By separately extracting terpenes and cannabinoids, optimal processes and parameters may be used for each step. Blending may combine terpenes and cannabinoids in any desired ratio; for example, a terpene-to-cannabinoid ratio of approximately 1:10 may be used. The ethanol used in the cold ethanol extraction of cannabinoids may be recovered and reused for subsequent batches. Cannabinoid concentrates may be redistilled multiple times to enhance their concentration, followed by terpene blending.

Methods and apparatus for cryo-curing plants are disclosed herein, which allow the plant to be picked and ready for sale and use within days. When the plant is cannabis, the process can deliver a product having a desired moisture content and limited loss of terpenes in just 24 to 48 hours.