In embodiments, a packing material for supported liquid extraction has a sorbent media that includes synthetic silica particles. In embodiments, the synthetic silica particles can have physical properties relating to one or more of particle surface area, shape, size, or porosity. In one embodiment, synthetic silica particles have a surface area less than about 30 m.sup.2/g. In another embodiment, the synthetic silica particles have an approximately uniform particle shape. In further examples, synthetic silica particles have a particle size in a range of about 30-150 m inclusive or greater than about 200 m. In another embodiment, synthetic silica particles are arranged to have a pore size greater than about 500 Angstroms. In an embodiment, an apparatus for supported liquid extraction includes a container and a sorbent media that includes synthetic silica particles. In a further embodiment, a method for extracting target analytes through supported liquid extraction is provided.

A filter plug assembly comprises a base having a first base surface with at least one base surface channel, the base surface channel including a flow cavity opening of a flow cavity extending through the base to a second base surface, the base surface channel further including an instrument cavity opening of an instrument cavity extending through the base to the second base surface. The assembly may further include a filter retaining piece, a filter fastener for releasably securing the filter retaining piece to the base while holding the filter between the filter retaining piece and the base forming a filter plug sub-assembly, and an extraction vessel fastener such that an instrument connected to the instrument cavity may sense a condition of a process fluid or mixture within the filter plug sub-assembly without contacting a source material within the extraction vessel.

The present invention is directed to a modular distillation system incorporating a removable capsule for containing source material for extraction. Through the action of the invention, the steam distillation process described herein produces a substantially larger amount of volatile oil than a distillation system that does not use an enclosed, modular system. The present invention provides for an apparatus that allows for greater contact between the steam and plant matter during the distillation process through the use of a closed removable capsule containing relatively small amount of plant matter. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a system that allows the generation of higher quality distillate and considerably higher quantity of volatile oil extracts by forcing the steam to evenly disperse through a removable capsule, and by preventing the condensed liquid to return back to the boiling water within the vessel.

Continuous extraction units (CEUs) are constructed that allow switching of extraction chambers (ECs) that contain extractable material (EM) and extract solution. Extraction chambers can be removable and replaceable, where the CEU has a fluid flow portion and a liquid transfer portion. Quick-connect valves allow exchange of ECs in the CEU while under flow without solvent loss. Alternatively, the CEU employs pairs of ECs where a first EC at equilibrium partitioning of an extract solution drains to an expansion chamber (EXC) with an expansion valve (EV) and a heat transfer tube situated proximal to or shared with a solvent condenser (SC) to form of a double phase change heat exchanger (HE). Solvent from the SC fills a paired EC containing EM. A second pair of ECs has a first EC with EM and solvent establishing equilibrium and a second EC that is emptied of spent EM, filled with fresh EM, and readied to receive solvent.

A drug decocting container comprises a cover body (1), an inner-layer container, and an outer-layer container. The inner-layer container is em-bedded in the inner part of the outer-layer container, the strength of the outer-layer container is larger than that of the inner-layer container, and the outer-layer container supports the inner-layer container and controls deformation of the inner-layer container. The cover body (1) is connected with the inner-layer container in a sealing way to form a sealed cavity, and a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet are provided on the sealed cavity. An inner pipe (3) is supported by a high-strength outer pipe (2) in the drug decocting container, such that the wall thickness of the inner pipe (3) can be thin, thereby reducing costs of the inner pipe (3), providing a condition for disposable use of the inner pipe (3), and preventing drugs from influencing each other by residues in the inner pipe (3) so as to affect the quality of a beverage while decocting different drugs. Decoction pieces are separated by multi-stage baffle plates (4), thereby reducing pressure of the decoction pieces on a filter piece (5), and increasing the flowing speed of extract liquor.

Systems for extracting solute from a source material are shown and described. Each of the systems includes: a solvent source container configured to store a cooled solvent, a canister configured to contain the source material and receive solvent to produce an extract solution, and one or more extract containers in communication configured to receive and distill the extract solution, the solvent source container being configured to receive a post-extraction portion of the solvent. In some examples, the one or more extract containers are first and second extract containers that are each selectively coupleable to the canister and are selectively removable for storage of the extract mixture or the solute. In some other examples, the system further includes a cooling mechanism coupled to the solvent source container for cooling the recycled solvent within the solvent collection container.

An improved method for the demilitarization of HC smoke ordnance comprising hexachloroethane (HCE), zinc oxide, and granular aluminum in a metal container, the method comprising opening the container and extracting the HCE by contact with a suitable solvent which solubilizes and extracts the HCE from the remaining zinc oxide and aluminum, rendering the materials safe for further handling or disposal.

In embodiments, a packing material for supported liquid extraction has a sorbent media that includes synthetic silica particles. In embodiments, the synthetic silica particles can have physical properties relating to one or more of particle surface area, shape, size, or porosity. In one embodiment, synthetic silica particles have a surface area less than about 30 m.sup.2/g. In another embodiment, the synthetic silica particles have an approximately uniform particle shape. In further examples, synthetic silica particles have a particle size in a range of about 30-150 m inclusive or greater than about 200 m. In another embodiment, synthetic silica particles are arranged to have a pore size greater than about 500 Angstroms. In an embodiment, an apparatus for supported liquid extraction includes a container and a sorbent media that includes synthetic silica particles. In a further embodiment, a method for extracting target analytes through supported liquid extraction is provided.

A useful substance is extracted from botanical feedstock by mechanically compressing the feedstock and pumping a solvent through the compressed feedstock at high pressure while applying compressive mechanical force against the feedstock. Movement of pressurized solvent through the compressed feedstock may increase the volume of solvent in contact with the feedstock. Flow of solvent under pressure may also present a shearing force that facilitates dissociation of the useful substance from the feedstock.

A portable supercritical fluid extraction apparatus, comprising: (i) a pressure vessel for generating a supercritical fluid therein; (ii) a liquid solvent supply tank; (iii) a means for interconnecting said pressure vessel and said liquid solvent supply tank at a predetermined angle for delivery therethrough of a liquid solvent from the liquid storage tank to the pressure vessel; and (iv) a heating component for heating contents of the pressure vessel to produce a supercritical fluid therein.

The apparatus may additionally comprise a sample in fluid communication with the pressure vessel, and a receiving vessel in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel may have a heating means for heating fluid contents therein, for example a heating wrap, a heating block, or a heating jacket.