Method and apparatus for electrostatic separation of glandular trichomes

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for electrostatic separation of trichomes from plant biomass, addressing the limitations of conventional separation techniques. The method relies on differences in electrical properties of trichomes and plant material, utilizing an external electric field. A multi-component electrostatic separation assembly may prepare and separate one or more samples, thereby incorporating a dispensing component, a pipeline component, and a separation chamber comprising at least one electrode assembly. Moreover, the present invention may also provide for electrode assemblies that feature self-cleaning mechanisms.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electrostatic separation of glandular trichomes from a sample of trichome-bearing plant biomass including cannabis, hemp, or hops, comprising: an electrostatic separation assembly, said electrostatic separation assembly comprising: a vibrating dispenser configured to dispense a first sample, said first sample comprising glandular trichomes and having a moisture content monitored by sensor technologies, a spiral pipeline configured to pneumatically channel said first sample and triboelectrically generate an electrostatic charge on said first sample while directing said first sample in a circular aerodynamic flow to reduce particle agglomeration, and a separation chamber comprising at least one electrode assembly configured to generate an electric field, said separation chamber configured to facilitate a separation of said first sample at a purity of at least 95% by weight.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrostatic separation assembly comprises a flow regulation component, said flow regulation component configured to pneumatically control the flow of said first sample through said pipeline component.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said flow regulation component is selected from a group of flow regulation components consisting of air flow regulators, vibrating feeders, and vacuum control devices.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrostatic separation assembly comprises an injection component, said injection component configured to direct said first sample from said pipeline component into said separation chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode assembly comprises a first electrode assembly, said first electrode assembly configured to be positively or negatively charged.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode assembly comprises a first electrode assembly, said first electrode assembly being positively charged, and a second electrode assembly, said second electrode assembly being negatively charged.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first electrode assembly is oriented in a parallel arrangement with respect to said second electrode assembly.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrode assembly is coated in an insulating material, said insulating material selected from a group of insulating materials consisting of electrical insulators, electrical semi-insulators, and dielectric materials.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrostatic separation assembly comprises a recirculation component, said recirculation component configured to facilitate recirculation of at least a portion of said first sample through said electrostatic separation assembly.

10. An apparatus for electrostatic separation of glandular trichomes from a sample of trichome-bearing plant biomass including cannabis, hemp, or hops, comprising: an electrostatic separation assembly, said electrostatic separation assembly comprising: a vibrating dispenser configured to dispense a first sample, said first sample comprising glandular trichomes and having a moisture content monitored by sensor technologies, a spiral pipeline configured to pneumatically channel said first sample and triboelectrically generate an electrostatic charge on said first sample while directing said first sample in a circular aerodynamic flow to reduce particle agglomeration, and a separation chamber comprising at least one electrode assembly configured to generate an electric field, said separation chamber configured to facilitate a separation of said first sample at a purity of at least 95% by weight, said at least one electrode assembly comprising: an electroconductive belt, and a motor, said motor configured to facilitate movement of said electroconductive belt.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrostatic separation assembly comprises a flow regulation component, said flow regulation component configured to pneumatically control flow of said first sample through said pipeline component.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrostatic separation assembly comprises an injection component, said injection component configured to direct said first sample from said pipeline component into said separation chamber.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least one electrode assembly comprises a first electrode assembly, said first electrode assembly configured to be positively or negatively charged.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least one electrode assembly comprises a first electrode assembly, said first electrode assembly being positively charged, and a second electrode assembly, said second electrode assembly being negatively charged.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least one electrode assembly is coated in an insulating material, said insulating material selected from a group of insulating materials consisting of electrical insulators, electrical semi-insulators, and dielectric materials.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said at least one electrode assembly further comprises a scraper component.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said scraper component is a non-conductive dielectric scraper.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrostatic separation assembly comprises a recirculation component, said recirculation component configured to facilitate recirculation of at least a portion of said first sample through said electrostatic separation assembly.

19. A method for electrostatic separation of glandular trichomes from a sample of trichome-bearing plant biomass including cannabis, hemp, or hops, comprising: dispensing a first sample using a vibrating dispenser, the first sample comprising glandular trichomes and having a moisture content monitored by sensor technologies, channeling the first sample through spiral pipeline configured to pneumatically direct said first sample in a circular aerodynamic flow and triboelectrically generate an electrostatic charge on the first sample while reducing particle agglomeration, and injecting the first sample into a separation chamber comprising at least one electrode assembly configured to generate an electric field, the separation chamber configured to facilitate a separation of said glandular trichomes from said first sample at a purity of at least 95% by weight.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the first sample comprises a particulate size ranging from about 20 to about 300 micrometers.

21. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein a flow regulation component pneumatically controls flow of the first sample through the pipeline component.

22. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein injecting the first sample into the separation chamber is performed via a flow straightener, the flow straightener configured to constrict flow of the first sample into a laminar flow.

23. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one electrode assembly comprises a first electrode assembly, said first electrode assembly configured to be positively or negatively charged.

24. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one electrode assembly comprises a first electrode assembly, said first electrode assembly being positively charged, and a second electrode assembly, said second electrode assembly being negatively charged.

25. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising recirculating at least a portion of the first sample.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of an apparatus for electrostatic separation of glandular trichomes, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a schematic representation of one embodiment of the at least one electrode assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the at least one electrode assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic representation in block form representing at least one method embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic representation in block form representing at least one method embodiment of the present invention.

(7) Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(8) As represented throughout the accompanying figures, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for electrostatic separation of glandular trichomes generally indicated as 10 in at least FIG. 1 and the attendant methods for electrostatic separation of glandular trichomes, generally represented as 200 in FIGS. 4-5.

(9) With initial reference to FIG. 1, the apparatus for electrostatic separation of glandular trichomes 10 may comprise an electrostatic separation assembly 100the electrostatic separation assembly 100 generally configured to prepare a sample of plant biomass for electrostatic separation and perform the requisite electrostatic separation of the trichomes from the sample of plant biomass. Generally, and by way of non-limiting example, a plurality of electrostatic separation assemblies may be connected togethereither in parallel, in series, or bothto achieve varying degrees of separation. Moreover, and by way of additional non-limiting example, the electrostatic separation assembly may be adapted for mobile use via incorporation of one or more electrostatic separation assembly into the framework of a motor vehicle.

(10) With regard to the electrostatic separation assembly itself, also seen in FIG. 1, the electrostatic separation assembly 100 may comprise a dispensing component 110, the dispensing component 110 configured to dispense a first sample, the first sample comprising glandular trichomes. By way of non-limiting example, the dispensing component may be a vibrating dispenser, a jet sieve, a vacuum conveyor, or a cyclone feed.

(11) With particular regard to the preparation of the first sample, however, the first sample May be prepared via exposing the sample of plant biomass to temperatures of ranging from about 20 C. to 20 C.the temperature regulated by a device capable of heating and/or coolingand a relative humiditythe relative humidity regulated by a device capable of humidifying and/or dehumidifyingranging from about 30% to about 50%. Moreover, the first sample may further be prepared via application of a pressurized gas source, wherein the pressurized gas is selected from a plurality of gases including dry atmospheric air and dry inert gases. By way of non-limiting example, the first sample may comprise a particulate size ranging from about 20 to about 300 micrometers. By way of additional non-limiting example, the first sample's particulate size shall not exceed 300 micrometersor, more preferably, 250 micrometers. By way of yet additional non-limiting example, the first sample's moisture content is monitored via sensor technologies for purposes of fine-tuning the preparation thereof. Accordingly, and in such embodiments wherein the first sample is prepared, upon completion of the preparation of the first sample, the first sample may be dispensed by the dispensing component.

(12) The electrostatic separation assembly 100, seen in FIG. 1, may also comprise a pipeline component 120, the pipeline component 120 configured to triboelectrically generate an electrostatic charge on the first sample. By way of non-limiting examples, the pipeline component 120 may be structurally configured in a spiral arrangement and may be made of silicone, vinyl, fluoroethyl polymers, or polytetrafloral ethylene. In such embodiments wherein the pipeline component is structurally configured in a spiral arrangement, the pipeline component may direct the flow of the first sample therethrough in an intensified manner via circular aerodynamic flow. By way of additional non-limiting example, the pipeline component may triboelectrically generate an electrostatic charge on the first sample via frictional contact between particles of the first sample or via frictional contact between particles of the first sample and the material of the pipeline component.

(13) In at least some embodiments of the present invention, seen in FIG. 1, the electrostatic separation assembly 100 may also comprise a flow regulation component 150, the flow regulation component 150 configured to pneumatically control the flow of the first sample through the pipeline component 120. In such embodiments wherein the electrostatic separation assembly comprises a flow regulation component, the flow regulation component may be selected from a plurality of flow regulation components comprising air flow regulators, vibrating feeders, and vacuum control devices. By way of non-limiting example, in such embodiments wherein the electrostatic separation assembly comprises a flow regulation component, the flow regulation component may vary the flow rate from about 0.1 mg/min to about 10,000 g/min. By way of additional non-limiting example, the flow regulation component may be controlled or actuated via use of an electronic signal.

(14) Furthermore, and as seen in connection with FIG. 1, the electrostatic separation assembly 100 may comprise a separation chamber 130 comprising at least one electrode assembly 140, the separation chamber 130 configured to facilitate the separation of the first sample via generation of an electric field. By way of non-limiting example, seen in FIG. 1, the at least one electrode assembly 140 may be secured to the structural features of the separation chamber 130 in a variety of fashions, thereby allowing variability in the relative magnitudes of the resultant electric field. Moreover, and by way of non-limiting example, seen in FIG. 1, the at least one electrode assembly may be made of a conductive material and may comprise a first electrode assembly 141the first electrode assembly 141 being positively or negatively chargedand a second electrode assembly 142the second electrode assembly 142 being negatively charged. In such embodiments, the electrodes may be flat, curved, angled, or boxed, and the power source for the voltage may be supplied by electricity distribution lines, solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, power generators operated by fuel, and the like. By way of non-limiting examples, the voltage May comprise a variety of waveforms, such as sinusoidal, square, triangular, saw-tooth, or a mixture thereof; the voltage applied to the electrodes is at least about 3 kV and at most about 20 kV; and the frequency of the voltage applied is at least about 0 Hz and at most about 300 kHz. Further, in such embodiments wherein the at least one electrode assembly comprises a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, the first electrode assembly may be oriented in an opposing arrangement, a symmetrical arrangement, or an asymmetrical arrangement with respect to the second electrode assembly; and the at least one electrode assembly may be coated in an insulating material, the insulating material selected from a plurality of insulating materials comprising electrical insulators, electrical semi-insulators, and dielectric materials. As may be understood, the generated electric field is inversely proportional to the distance between electrodesand, as such, a parallel orientation is necessary to achieve a uniform electric field in the separation chamber.

(15) Moreover, in at least some embodiments of the present invention, seen in FIG. 1, the electrostatic separation assembly 100 may also comprise an injection component 160, the injection component 160 configured to direct the first sample from the pipeline component 120 into the separation chamber 130. In some embodiments of the present invention, the injection component may be a flow straightener, the flow straightener configured to constrict flow of the first sample from a turbulent flow into a laminar flow at the point of injection into the separation chamber. As may be understood, the laminar flow of the first sample may be adjusted via the shape of the injection component (e.g., a 3-millimeter aperture) and the flow rate of the first sample. In this regard, the injection component may constrict the flow of the first sample into the separation chamber, wherein the first sample will, via gravitational forces, free-fall through the separation chamberand, therefore, be subjected to the electric field produced by the at least one electrode assembly (i.e., negatively charged particles will be attracted to the positively charged electrode, and, in instances wherein a second electrode assembly is employed, vice versa).

(16) After separation of the trichomes from the first sample, and as may be understood, the trichomes need to be collected for any potential therapeutic, pharmaceutical, and/or nutraceutical applications. In some embodiments of the present invention, the trichomes may be collected directly from one of the at least one electrode assembly (i.e., the electrode assembly that attracts the negatively charged trichomes). In such embodiments, the purity of the collected trichomes is about 95%. In other embodiments of the present invention, the trichomes may be collected via one or more collection bins, wherein the trichomes are manually or automatically released from the applied electric field and, via gravitational forces, fall into the one or more collection bins.

(17) In yet additional embodiments of the present invention, and by way of non-limiting example, the electrostatic separation assembly may comprise a recirculation component, the recirculation component configured to facilitate the recirculation of at least a portion of the first sample through the electrostatic separation assembly. By way of non-limiting example, the recirculation component may be used when the first sample does not completely electrostatically separate in the separation chamber, and may be used several times to completely electrostatically separate the trichomes from the rest of the plant biomass. By way of additional non-limiting example, in such embodiments wherein the electrostatic separation assembly comprises a recirculation component, the resulting purity of the collected trichomes may be about 99.99%.

(18) As previously noted, after the trichomes have been separated from the first sample, the trichomes need to be collected for any potential therapeutic, pharmaceutical, and/or nutraceutical applications. Accordingly, and in at least some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one electrode assembly may contain structural components that assist with the post-separation collection of trichomes. In particular, and by way of non-limiting example, seen in connection with FIGS. 2-3, the at least one electrode assembly may be self-cleaning and may comprise an electroconductive belt 143; a motor 144, the motor 144 configured to facilitate movement of the electroconductive belt 143; and a scraper component 145, the scraper component 145 configured to remove particulate matter from one or more faces of the at least one electrode assembly. By way of additional non-limiting example, in such embodiments wherein the at least one electrode assembly is self-cleaning in nature, the at least one electrode assembly may further comprise a rotating part and a transmission wheel. Moreover, by way of non-limiting example, the scraper component may be a non-conductive dielectric scraper, the non-conductive dielectric scraper specifically configured to recover particles attracted by electrostatic forces. By way of additional non-limiting example, the scraper component may be a brush.

(19) In this regard, and by way of non-limiting example, in such embodiments wherein the at least one self-cleaning electrode assembly comprises a first self-cleaning electrode assembly and a second self-cleaning electrode assembly, the electroconductive belt of each of the self-cleaning electrode assemblies may rotate in the same direction with variable speed, or rotate in opposite directions with variable speed. In such embodiments wherein the electroconductive belt of the at least one self-cleaning electrode assembly rotates with variable speed, the speed of the electroconductive belt may be determined by the rate of accumulation of charged particulate matter on the surface of the electroconductive belt. Further, and by way of non-limiting example, in such embodiments wherein the speed of the electroconductive belt is determined by the rate of accumulation of charged particulate matter on the surface of the electroconductive belt, the at least one self-cleaning electrode assembly may have a separate motor drivethereby allowing for independent control of the speed of the electroconductive belt(s)and incorporated sensor technologythereby allowing for purposes of fine-tuning the speed of the electroconductive belt(s).

(20) In at least some embodiments wherein the at least one electrode assembly comprises a scraper component, as may be understood, the scraper component may continuously remove accumulated charged particulate matter from the surface of the electroconductive belt(s). By way of non-limiting example, the scraper component may be located at a distal (in relation to the injection component) end of the at least one electrode assembly.

(21) The attendant method of the present invention 200 and 200, seen in FIGS. 4-5, includes the separation of glandular trichomes from a sample of plant biomass. Further, one or more embodiments of the present invention, seen in FIG. 4, include a method 200 comprising dispensing a first sample, the first sample comprising glandular trichomes 201; channeling the first sample through a pipeline component 202, the pipeline component configured to triboelectrically generate an electrostatic charge on the first sample; and injecting the first sample into a separation chamber comprising at least one electrode assembly 203, the separation chamber configured to facilitate the separation of the first sample.

(22) By way of non-limiting example, and as seen in FIG. 5, the method 200 of the present invention in one or more preferred embodiments further includes the preparation of the first sample; the pneumatic controlling of the flow of the first sample through the pipeline component via use of a flow regulation component; collecting the trichomes (for eventual use in potential therapeutic, pharmaceutical, and/or nutraceutical applications); and, optionally, recirculating at least a portion of the first sample 204 through the electrostatic separation assembly to achieve complete separation.

(23) Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail may be made to the described preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.