Processes and apparatuses for soluble compound recovery using supercritical fluid (SCF) are disclosed. An example process involves solvent extraction of a soluble compound using a SCF from a solid or liquid substrate including, but not limited to, microalgae, plant matter, and polymers. The apparatus comprises SCF, an extraction vessel, a pressure exchanger, a separate soluble compound, and solid or liquid compound separators.

A process for increasing oil yield from grain that includes passing a grain-based liquid stream of an alcohol production process through a cavitation apparatus to apply cavitational energy to the grain-based liquid stream, wherein the cavitational energy is applied to the grain-based liquid stream prior to a distillation phase of the alcohol production process.

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving the manufacturing of silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silkworm cocoons. The systems include a reactor vessel to degum, rinse, and dissolve the silk fibroin protein from silk inputs to obtain a purified silk fibroin-based solution. The reactor vessel may include a combination of inputs and outputs for introducing and removing different components used or generated during the disclosed processes. The systems may include any combination of heat exchangers, holding tanks, filtration modules, and post-treatment equipment as necessary to obtain the silk powder. The solutions and powders can be used to improve the post-harvest preservation of perishables and to improve the performance of packaging, including biodegradable packaging.

A method of extracting CBD, THC, desirable oils, and other compounds from the cannabis plant includes drying the plant, grinding or chopping the plant, mixing the resulting pieces of the plant with a fluid to form a mixture, circulating the mixture through a controlled cavitation reactor to liberate CBD, THC, desirable oils, and other compounds from the pieces, and separating the liberated CBD, THC, desirable oils, and other compounds from the fluid. The method may be used as an adjunct to or in combination with traditional extraction techniques such as leaching to increase yields.

The invention applies to the recovery or extraction of any type of mineral or minerals that are present in ore, tailings, sludge, mining waste or in any granular material or mixtures of granular materials and is based on the effect of liquefaction. In a container, receptacle, the granular material or a mixture of granular material is placed, which may or may not already have the extraction solution mixed with it. The mineral extraction solution or a working solution is injected into the bottom of the container and vibrations are applied. These vibrations cause the effect of liquefaction and migration, displacement of the extraction solution to the surface of the mineral filler. As the extraction solution rises, passing through the granular material that contains the mineral of interest, it dissolves the mineral and removes the mineral or minerals of interest from the granular medium. At the same time, the grains of insoluble and dense minerals migrate, moving downwards, forming a layer at the bottom of the container. This layer can be separated from the rest of the granular material and its commercialized ore(s). The liquefaction cycle can be repeated as many times as necessary. Once the extracting solution becomes saturated or the granular medium is depleted of the mineral or minerals of interest, the extracting solution and the granular medium are replaced and the cycle begins again. Once extraction is complete, the extraction solution is used, according to the appropriate methodology, to recover the mineral or minerals of interest dissolved in it and simultaneously recover insoluble ores, also via the effect of liquefaction and the migration of grains denser than the liquid to the container bottom.

An apparatus and process for extracting organic molecular compounds from plant material and concentrating those into a viscous oil, the process supported by a machine architecture that heats, cools, and stirs a cooking mixture of plant material and a consumable solvent oil, the viscous oil suitable for use in sublingual tinctures, food products, and topical salves.

Some variations provide an automated system for solvent extraction of a feed stock to produce a botanical extract, fats, oils, or other desirable solute, comprising: an extraction reactor; a distillation unit; and a second-stage purge chamber or a second-stage purge process utilizing the extraction reactor itself. The second-stage purge chamber or process receives or holds the solid material along with a non-condensable gas and/or solvent vapor, to recover residual solvent contained in the solid material. Other variations provide a process comprising: feeding a raw material and a solvent into an extraction reactor; generating dissolved material in rich solvent and extracted solid material; distilling the rich solvent to generate purified product and recovered solvent; conveying the solid material and a heated inert non-condensable gas and/or solvent vapor into a second-stage purge chamber, or holding the solid material in the same vessel, to recover residual solvent; and recovering the purified product.

The invention relates to a device for extracting one or more constituents, in particular THC and/or cannabinoids, from a mixture of substances, the device having a chamber, a plate accommodated in the chamber, at least one nozzle for feeding the mixture of substances into the chamber and a static charging unit, wherein the static charging unit is arranged to statically charge the mixture of substances, wherein the plate has a charge opposite to the static charge of the mixture of substances, so that the statically charged mixture of substances, or at least components thereof, adheres or is adherable to the plate. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Some variations provide an automated system for solvent extraction of a feedstock to produce a botanical extract, fats, oils, or other desirable solute, comprising: an extraction reactor; a distillation unit; and a second-stage purge chamber or a second-stage purge process utilizing the extraction reactor itself. The second-stage purge chamber or process receives or holds the solid material along with a heated inert non-condensable gas and/or solvent vapor, to recover residual solvent contained in the solid material. Other variations provide a process comprising: feeding a raw material and a solvent into an extraction reactor; generating dissolved material in rich solvent and extracted solid material; distilling the rich solvent to generate purified product and recovered solvent; conveying the solid material and a heated inert non-condensable gas and/or solvent vapor into a second-stage purge chamber, or holding the solid material in the same vessel, to recover residual solvent; and recovering the purified product.

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving the manufacturing of silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silkworm cocoons. The solutions and powders can be used to improve the post-harvest preservation of perishables and to improve the performance of packaging, including biodegradable packaging.