The invention refers to a distillation apparatus (100) for extraction of volatile components from biological material (50), especially from plants, comprising a housing (10) defining a sample chamber (S), a drum (30) arranged in the sample chamber (S), the drum (30) defining a receiving chamber (R) for receiving the biological material (50), and at least one microwave generator (70) for irradiating the biological material (50) with microwave radiation when received in the drum (30); wherein the drum (30) is rotatably arranged in the sample chamber (S) about a rotation axis (H) which is oriented substantially horizontally.

A horizontal axis rotary separation apparatus is deployed in a process for separating resinous trichomes rich in flavoring, aromatic and/or medicinal components produced in plant trichome glands from unwanted plant matter. The process physically separates resin rich beads at the trichome gland head from extraneous plant matter by one or move separation sieves. The sieves are provided in or as a casing over a rigid frame member. The sieves are mesh fabric bags or screen that are easily opened and replenished in a batch operating mode, and are removable from the frame for cleaning and maintenance. Other aspects of the invention include processes that improve process efficiency and speed, and yield products of superior quality.

The industrial production of an extract by means of solid-liquid extraction improves the exchange of substances during extraction and allows enhanced dehumidification of a raffinate with residual moisture.

The extraction is enhanced during a first dwell time by at least partially flooding a vessel in the form of at least one flow discharged with a secondary solvent or the obtained extract, swirling and keeping in suspension the primary mixture within the vessel by supplying the secondary solvent or the obtained extract via a foot area of the vessel, and/or moving the vessel relative to the extraction container within the obtained extract.

The secondary solvent or the extract circulates in the extraction container by a circulation guide incorporating the extraction container from top to bottom relative to the extraction container, and the extract freed from raffinate with residual moisture obtained by dehumidification is supplied to the separated or to be separated extract.

A method and apparatus for extracting botanical oil from botanical mass includes milling the biomass and chilling the milled biomass. The biomass is then exposed to a chilled ethanol solvent. Water is added and the solution introduced into a first centrifuge. The clean ethanol slurry is then introduced into an evaporator leaving a two-phase mixture which is introduced into a second centrifuge which separates the water from the pure botanical oil.

The present disclosure relates, according to disclosed embodiments, to a system for extracting an organic compound from a natural source, the system comprising a computer processor operational to control the system; a storage vessel configured to store an extraction gas, the storage vessel comprising a storage vessel outlet in electrical communication with the computer processor; a valve in electrical communication with the computer processor, the valve comprising a valve inlet and a valve outlet, wherein the valve inlet connects to the storage vessel outlet; a dynamic extraction vessel; and a spray evaporation loop system configured to receive a solute from the dynamic extraction vessel, the spray evaporation loop system comprising an injection nozzle in electrical communication with the computer processor, the injection nozzle comprising an injection nozzle inlet connected to the first dynamic extraction vessel outlet; and a cyclonic separator in electrical communication with the computer processor.

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.

A semi-aqueous method for extracting a substance. The method involves combining a first liquid or solid substance containing an extract with a semi-aqueous solution containing a water-soluble or water-emulsifiable (WSWE) compound. Said WSWE compound selectively dissolves extract during a dense phase CO.sub.2 expansion and salting-out process, which is simultaneously co-extracted using said dense phase CO.sub.2, and desolvated to produce a CO.sub.2 salted-out solvent mixture containing extract. Said CO.sub.2 salted-out solvent mixture is treated using various secondary processes. The present invention is useful for producing extracts for use as additives in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, beverages, or foods, and for quantitative analysis.

The present invention is a process for producing various types of cannabis extract from harvested cannabis. A quantity of harvested cannabis, which typically includes the inflorescence, floral leaves, and small stems of a flowering cannabis plants, is pre-frozen. The harvested cannabis is first subjected to cryogenic grinding to produce pulverized cannabis. The pulverized cannabis is then subjected to alcohol extraction to produce an initial cannabis extract, which can be subjected to one of several forms of further processing according to the desired chemical profile of the final product. The initial cannabis extract may then be subjected to chemical processing that promote the conversion of THCA to Δ9 THC; the conversion of THCVA to THCV; the conversion of THCA to cannabinol (“CBN”); or the conversion of THCA to Δ8-THC.

Suggested is a method for the extraction of fragrances from natural starting material consisting of the following steps: (a) providing a sample of the natural starting material in a pressure proof sample container; (b) bringing in the sample in contact with liquefied petroleum gas of propane and/or butane gas, preferably; (c) extracting the fragrances from the natural starting material provided in step (b); (d) venting of the pressure proof sample container, while the liquefied petroleum gas is evaporated and the fragrances is maintained as residue in the container; and optionally (e) dissolving the fragrances in a suitable solvent.

The botanical extraction and purification device described in this patent provide the ability to extract and purify botanical compounds from a diverse plant species through specially crafted process sequences that effectively reach the desired botanical component despite differences in botanical material types and unique differences in organic chemical characteristics. The technological package consists of two main processing centers; each is a combination of process features that can be personalized to effectively address unique extraction requirements. When combined, the extraction processes deliver capabilities in product throughput speed and product purity not available using previously available separation methods. The first component of this package is a CUP that transfers chemical compounds from botanical material into a solvent. The second component is an AISP. This device separates unwanted botanical compounds from the solvent, resulting in a relatively pure plant extract.