A filtration system is described that can be used to filter out plant material within a solution. One or more sieves can be disposed in series to receive a flow of solution. As the solution flows through the one or more sieves, progressively smaller particles can be filtered out. One or more transducers can apply sound waves or other agitation during the filtering process. The sound waves help in suspending solid particles in the solution and making for more efficient and quicker filtering.

Provided is a process, including: extracting one or more hydrophobic active ingredients of a plant material using a first extraction solvent; and transferring the one or more hydrophobic active ingredients from the first extractant solution filtrate to a carrier solvent; encapsulating the one or more hydrophobic active ingredients in one or more nanoparticles; dispersing the one or more nanoparticles in an aqueous suspension; and adding the second eluant from the plant material to the aqueous suspension.

Systems and methods for extracting useful by-products and natural rubber from non-Hevea rubber bearing plants are disclosed.

A closed loop extraction system for extracting desired components from raw plant matter and method of use is disclosed. The closed loop extraction system features a solvent source, a chill tank, a wash tank, a rinse tank, a centrifuge, and a feed tank all in fluid communication via a series of interconnected pump systems. The method of extracting the desired products from raw plant matter uses this system to perform the extraction with a reduced amount of solvent in an energy-efficient manner.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to plant extract compositions and methods to isolate cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, and mixtures thereof for application in agricultural coating formulations, and in particular, to methods of preparing plant extract compositions that include functionalized and non-functionalized fatty acids and fatty esters (as well as their oligomers and mixtures thereof), which are substantially free from accompanying plant-derived compounds (e.g., proteins, polysaccharides, phenols, lignans, aromatic acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, alcohols, alkanes, and aldehydes) and can be used in agricultural coating formulations.

Single-stage and multi-stage systems and methods for the recovery of critical elements in substantially pure form from lithium ion batteries are provided. The systems and methods include supported membrane solvent extraction using an immobilized organic phase within the pores of permeable hollow fibers. The permeable hollow fibers are contacted by a feed solution on one side, and a strip solution on another side, to provide the simultaneous extraction and stripping of elements from dissolved lithium ion cathode materials, while rejecting other elements from the feed solution. The single- and multi-stage systems and methods can selectively recover cobalt, manganese, nickel, lithium, aluminum and other elements from spent battery cathodes and are not limited by equilibrium constraints as compared to traditional solvent extraction processes.

Described is an extraction device for extracting compounds from plant material and a method for using such an extraction device. The extraction device comprises an extraction tank receiving plant material and dissolving soluble compounds inside the plant material into a solvent to form a micelle. A series of fluidly connected separation chambers separate purified compounds from the micelle, resulting in purified compounds in each of the separation chambers and solvent. A heat exchanger and a chilled reservoir are used for cooling and storing the solvent. A pump is used for pumping and circulating the solvent into the extraction device. Finally, a control system automatically controls temperature and flow in the extraction device.

A system and method for extracting liquid and solid hydrocarbons and their derivatives from natural and man-made hydrocarbon sources, including but not limited to oil sands, bitumen, asphalt, roofing shingles, and other hydrocarbon articles of manufacture. The hydrocarbon sources are prepared by dissolving, crushing and/or grinding. The prepared hydrocarbon sources are subjected to agitation where the solvent and hydrocarbon source as thoroughly mixed. The results of the agitation are then separated in one or both of a mesh screen shaker and a centrifuge. The mesh screen shaker subjects the materials to medium frequency oscillations. The centrifuge subjects the materials to high G-forces. The combined processes separate the hydrocarbons from solids and residual solids to less than 0.2% by weight.

In a system and process for selectively purifying various pharmacologically-relevant components of a source plant such as cannabis, an initial step provides a low-temperature, robust essential oil/terpene capture that also dehydrates and decarboxylates the starting product—fresh raw cannabis—by means of a vacuum-assisted microwave distillation process. By doing the terpene capture under vacuum distillation temperature may be kept low. The low distillation temperature maximizes yields of thermally sensitive components such as terpenes and cannabinoids. The system includes an oil/water separator configured to prevent leakage of ambient air into the system.

Sample purification systems include a particle extraction assembly having a mixing compartment and a settling compartment. A biological sample is mixed with two liquid phases formulated to effectuate transfer of a biological molecule into a first phase and particulate contaminants into a second phase. The first phase includes a solubilizing salt, the second phase includes an organic molecule, and the mixture can have little or no monoatomic salt or dextran. The molecule-containing first phase can be optionally concentrated without also concentrating the particulate contaminants and introduced into a multi-stage liquid-liquid extractor, by which the biological molecule or molecular contaminants are extracted from the first phase into a third phase, thereby purifying the molecule away from contaminants. The extracted sample can be further purified through a series of processing steps. The system can be run in continuously mode to maintain sterility of the sample.