A continuous-flow extraction system and method for extracting oil from oil-bearing plant parts, or biomass, with liquid-phase hydrocarbon solvent in a continuous process, providing more than one extraction vessel so that one or more extraction vessels can be cleared of exhausted biomass and reloaded with biomass, while another one or more extraction vessels are undergoing the extraction process, optionally providing a de-waxer for use when needed, providing a primary jacketed separator vessel for flashing hydrocarbon solvent to a vapor phase and precipitating and collecting liquid plant extract, providing at least one secondary jacketed separator vessel for purification and refinement of vapor-phase hydrocarbon solvent and providing for re-liquefication of the solvent for the purpose of re-circulating and reusing the solvent, and providing for the heating, cooling, and pumping necessary to carry out the various steps.

Apparatus for extracting organic analytes from a sample comprising a first compressed gas source connected to valving and a sample extraction cell connected to the valving. A pressure regulator is connected to the extraction cell outlet to the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator blocks fluid flow when the pressure at the pressure regulator inlet is below a predetermined pressure and permits fluid flow when above said predetermined pressure. The apparatus is free of operative association with a mechanical pump or with a compressed gas source other than the compressed gas source. An extraction method for using the above apparatus is described.

A method for processing algae-based products using flue gas heat includes mixing flue gas with water, receiving a heated gas in a first enclosure of a heat exchanger, receiving an algal paste in a second enclosure of the heat exchanger, introducing an organic solvent to the algal paste, extracting an algal oil and a plurality of algal shells from the algal paste by dissipating heat from the first enclosure to the second enclosure; and extracting the algal oil from the organic solvent and the algal shells.

Disclosed is a process for purifying one or more chemical constituents from plant matter using extraction with a fluid that is not a solvent, for example, with a vegetable oil. The extracted chemical constituents may then optionally be further processed by heating in order to induce desired chemical transformations. The extracted chemical constituents are also processed by concentrating at reduced pressure, for example, by distillation.

The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for removing and recovering residual solvent from a solvent-bearing mass.

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.

An apparatus and a method for plant extraction are disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an extraction module, a separating module and a reservoir. The method essentially includes plant material preparing, decarboxylating, active components extracting and separating. By using liquid tetrafluoroethane as the solvent in the apparatus of the present invention, the active components of the plant material are efficiently extracted under low pressure extraction and high pressure extraction conditions.

A system and method of extracting essential oils from plant material through the use of a low pressure alcohol-based closed system that includes a solvent chamber connected to a material column that in turn is connected to a recovery chamber. Plant material in the material column and the solvent in the solvent chamber are cooled using a cooling liquid, such as nitrogen. A vacuum pump connected to the recovery chamber creates a vacuum in the recovery chamber to draw the cooled solvent through the cooled plant material and extract essential oils, which are collected in the recovery chamber.

A supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) apparatus is provided that is capable of being operated in a continuous and/or steady-state fashion. The SFE apparatus may include an extraction assembly. The extraction assembly may include a first extraction chamber (FEC) to contain a first amount of source material from which a compound is to be extracted, and a second extraction chamber (SEC) to contain a second amount of the source material. The extraction assembly may include a valve to control a flow of a solvent into the FEC or the SEC. The SFE apparatus may include a collection chamber that is mounted substantially perpendicular to the extraction assembly. Other embodiments are described.

The invention provides systems and methods for the automation of the extraction of a liquid substance from a material. The disclosed systems include multiple tanks and valves under computer control providing for the safe transport of a solvent through the material under computer control. Solvent transport is accomplished by heating and/or cooling selected tanks or vessels to cause the solvent to evaporate or condense as desired. Tank and/or solvent heating and cooling is controlled automatically. Thus, in all embodiments the use of external pumps can be avoided.