Processes for preparing extracts of natural products such as plant material, and for preparing purified extracts from crude extracts of natural products, by extraction with hot gas. Apparatus suitable for use in preparing extracts of natural products are also described.

An apparatus and method for high pressure treatment of bulk material by extraction and/or impregnation may involve high pressure treating bulk material in a high pressure treatment volume of a pressure vessel apparatus at a high pressure level, especially high pressure in the range from 40 to 1000 bar. The method comprises at least the three following step sequences that are each controllable individually: pressurization, high pressure treatment, and depressurization. The high pressure treatment is performed in a continuous manner in the high pressure treatment volume. The high pressure treatment volume or the entire pressure vessel apparatus is in a fixed arrangement during the high pressure treatment. The continuity of the high pressure treatment is ensured solely by means of the high pressure treatment volume. This especially enables engineering optimization of high pressure treatment processes, for example extraction.

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for counter-current solids leaching. A multi-stage countercurrent leaching chamber can include a top and bottom end, a barren liquor input, two or more regions for countercurrent mixing, and a barren solids output. The input can be configured to receive barren liquor. The two or more regions for countercurrent mixing and separation can be configured to mix and separate liquid and solid phases. The barren solids output can be configured to collect and discharge barren solids from the bottom end of the multi-stage countercurrent leaching chamber. A fluidized bed chamber and clarifier chamber can also be included, where the fluidized bed receives a fluidizable slurry of pregnant solids and the clarifier chamber aids in separating liquids from solids passing from a top of the fluidized bed chamber to the top end of the multi-stage countercurrent leaching chamber.

A system for extracting oil from plant material includes a gas moving device propelling a gas stream, the gas stream being a stream of air or gas with or without entrained vapor, solids or droplets of liquid therein. The gas stream is directed through an extraction chamber, which is operable to volatize at least a portion of an oil from a plant material such that the volatilized oil is disposed in the gas stream as an extracted oil. A collection chamber is in communication with the extraction chamber such that the gas stream flows through the collection chamber. The collection chamber has collection solvent operable to collect at least a portion of the extracted oil from the gas stream. A liquid collector is in fluid communication with the collection chamber for collecting at least a portion of the collection solvent and extracted oil.

A device, system and method are for treating a suspension, containing plant constituents, in particular separating a liquid or a solid therefrom, in the field of production of food, pharmaceutical and luxury products, and to corresponding uses. The device for continuously or discontinuously treating a suspension, in particular for separating a liquid or liquid phase or a solid or a residual phase from the suspension includes: a receiving unit for receiving the suspension and at least one separating device having a surface having openings. The surface can be brought into contact with the suspension, if the suspension is present in the receiving unit for separation into the liquid phase and the solid phase. During the operation of the device, the surface is arranged such that it is moved or can be moved or can be rotated relative to the suspension, the solid phase and/or the receiving unit.

Methods, devices, and systems that can be utilized in separating a polymer from other compounds of a polymer formation process are described. The methods utilize multiple sedimentors in a countercurrent flow design in conjunction with different solvent solutions in the multiple sedimentors to separate a product polymer from other compounds of a polymer formation process. The sedimentors include feed inlets that can encourage contact between countercurrent flows and improve mass transfer rates between the countercurrent flows.

An extractor apparatus that incorporates an autoclave that defines an interior, which extends along a longitudinal axis between opposite media inlet and discharge ports. Also included is a feed assembly that is coupled to the inlet port to supply media during operation to the interior, which establishes a media bed movable about the longitudinal axis through the interior to the discharge port. Further incorporated is a solvent supply that is coupled to the autoclave proximate the discharge port to establish during operation pressurized solvent cross flow that is directionally opposite the direction of movement of movable bed. An extract port is also included, which is coupled to the autoclave proximate the inlet port to extract cross-flowed solvent from the movable media bed during operation. Further included is a capture assembly that is sealingly coupled to the discharge port and which during operation, captures spent media, and is movable to discharge the spent media. The capture assembly may also extract residual solvent from the spent media, which may be communicated to the interior between the inlet and discharge ports.