Patent Application
20190264132
The present invention is in the field of biomass material processing and extraction systems and pertains particularly to methods and apparatus for reducing time and workload relative to material processing.
In the field of bio-mass extraction systems (Organic Material Processors) closed loop distillation and extraction systems are available for processing biomass to isolate or separate essential oils and other desirable organic products for recovery from introduced organic materials such as plant materials. Maceration is the use of gasses or liquid solvents to soften and separate certain constituents from the overall plant matter introduced for processing. The definitions of biomass include, basically any type of organic matter. Solvents may be a variety of agents that might be introduced into a maceration chamber or vessel in gaseous and or in liquid phases or states.
The term yield is often used to describe the separated constituents after purging or removal of any leftover contaminants (typically including the solvent used in maceration).
Some systems are open systems meaning that there may be an outside exposure to any solvents used to process the bio-materials. Open systems are inherently dangerous when flammable solvents or isolative solutions are employed under certain less than optimal conditions and explosions have resulted including injury to workers. Closed loop systems are preferable but not entirely danger free as process miscalculations or missteps can still result in problems.
Other challenges in processing biomass include the removal of contaminants from extracted materials. Still other challenges exist such as ability to determine safely when material processing is exhausted for a batch of introduced materials. Moreover, negative factors may affect the overall process such as lack of safety protocols, lack of clear indication when a process is completed, large number of time intensive steps to execute during a process, requirement of more than one worker conducting a process, and so on. These factors may weigh heavily as to the commercial viability of extracting a constituent such as lipids from a commercial grade mass or batch of bio materials. Additionally, many processes are batch based and not enabled to be a continuous process.
Therefore, what is clearly needed is a temperature influenced, time efficient maceration process that optimizes yield and reduces or eliminates contaminant to product yield.
The present invention provides a novel extraction system comprising a vertically oriented cylindrical extraction chamber having a hollow inner volume, an end cap at an one end of the extraction chamber enabled to accept organic matter into the chamber, and at least one inlet valve at a second end, opposite the one end, enabled to inject a gas or liquid solvent into the inner volume. A cylindrical collection vessel is centered and positioned below the one end cap of the extraction chamber, the collection vessel including a closed lower end supported by a collection plate, and an open upper end enabled to connect to the one end cap of the extraction chamber, an interior volume and a viewing vessel with an open lower end sealed at an angle to an upper portion of a sidewall of the collection vessel. The viewing vessel also includes an open upper end and an elongated viewing tube through the sidewall ending at a viewing port with a lens, the viewing tube enables visual inspection through the lens and tube of the interior volume of the collection vessel at the collection plate.
A gas introduction and recovery tank is connected to the extraction chamber via a first ingress fitting enabled to couple by conduit to a first egress fitting positioned at the upper end of the collection vessel to recover used extraction gas, and a second egress fitting on the tank enabled to connect by conduit to the at least one inlet valve introducing gas into the extraction chamber.
A frame structure supports the extraction chamber by a first and second axle, one each fixedly mounted on opposite sides of the extraction chamber at a balanced center point along a length between the one end and second end of the extraction chamber, said axles supported by the frame structure enabled to hold the chamber at a height from ground enabling free rotation of the chamber about the axles.
The process proceeds after introduction of the organic matter into the extraction chamber, with the end cap sealed, the first ingress and egress fittings are connected via the conduit and extraction gas is introduced in a quantity enabling at least lipid removal from the organic matter, said process influenced by rotating the extraction chamber vigorously about the axis, the one end is then connected to the open upper end of the collection vessel, via the end cap, and a lipid yield is collected at the collection plate while simultaneously recovering the extraction gas to the tank via the conduit connected second ingress and egress fittings and viewing quantity and quality of the yield via the viewing vessel.
In one embodiment the extraction system includes a filter plate positioned between the extraction chamber and collection vessel via an inlet opening removably attached to the end cap of the extraction chamber and an exit opening removably attached to the open upper end of the collection vessel, said filter removing contaminates from the yield. All connections between the extraction chamber, collection vessel and filter plate are sealed connections provided by clamp and gasket assemblies. An alternative embodiment provides a turn wheel used to mechanically rotate the extraction chamber via the axles.
A temperature controlled heater is positioned, in one embodiment, adjacent to and directly below the collection plate passively aiding in removal of at least gas and water contaminates from the yield. Additional heating occurs at the extraction chamber, collection vessel and collection plate, alternately, to aid in passively moving and extracting used gas from the system.
In an alternative embodiment, or simultaneously with the heating process, above, a vacuum pump is connected to the conduit between the second ingress and egress fittings in order to aid in gas recovery.
In one embodiment the angle of attachment of the viewing vessel is an acute angle, enabling the open upper end to extend outwards and upwards toward the open upper end of the collection vessel. Additionally, all components are connected, a closed system is created that is enabled to hold a negative or positive atmospheric pressure.
A method of using the extraction system is provided comprising the steps of placing the organic matter within a hollow inner volume of an cylindrical extraction chamber having an end cap at one end, an inlet valve at a second end, opposite the one end, enabled to inject a gas or liquid solvent into the inner volume; sealing the end cap with clamp and gasket assemblies achieving an airtight extraction chamber and introducing a gas solvent to the inner volume by coupling conduit to an ingress fitting at the inlet valve from a first egress fitting connected to a tank holding a reserve of solvent; removing the ingress fitting from the inlet valve and agitating and macerating the organic matter and solvent by rotating the extraction chamber via a first and second axle one each fixedly mounted on opposite sides of the extraction chamber at a balanced center point along a length between the upper and lower ends of the extraction chamber, said axles supported by a frame enabled to hold the chamber at a height from ground enabling free rotation of the chamber about the axles.
The solvent is then collected along with lipid yield from the extraction chamber by connecting the end cap to an open upper end of a collection vessel, said collection vessel including a collection plate at a base of the collection vessel; extracting the solvent gas by connecting a second egress fitting to the upper portion of the collection vessel connected by conduit to a second ingress fitting connected to the solvent tank and viewing the collection of the yield in the collection plate via a viewing vessel with an open lower end sealed at an angle to an upper portion of a sidewall of the collection vessel, the viewing vessel having an open upper end and an elongated viewing tube through the sidewall ending at a viewing port with a lens. The yield and other components may be heated via a heating element, aiding in removal of the gas while simultaneously viewing the yield in order to determine purity and viscosity of a desired yield.
The inventors provide a unique closed loop organic material processing system to process organic materials to produce a clean product yield. The system enables both low volume and commercial volume material processing in a more ergonomic, economic, and safe manner. The present invention will be described in enabling detail using the following examples, which may describe more than one relevant embodiment falling within the scope of the present invention.
Containers 102 and 103 are connected together by a pressure clamp and gasket assembly 105. Containers 102 and 103 have a common inside volume and an open inside diameter in this configuration comprising a material column for holding the material for processing. Container 102 is closed or capped at the upper end by an end cap clamp/gasket assembly 104, hereinafter referred to as end cap 104. End cap 104 has at least one fitting 124 for introduction and egress of a processing agent such as gas or a solvent. End cap 104 has a fitting for a vacuum gauge 123 adapted to display the vacuum reading inside extractor assembly 101. It is noted herein that there may be more than one gas fitting and vacuum fitting provided through end cap 104 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The fittings shown are deemed sufficient however for describing the present invention. It is also noted herein that it is not necessary to have two containers in the stack configuration as one container may be removed leaving only a single container to process material.
Containers 102 and 103 have a nominal wall thickness that is suitable for holding a vacuum. Container 103 is seated in the configuration stack onto a clamp/gasket assembly 106. Extractor 101 further includes a relatively short tubular body 108 seated between clamp/gasket assembly 106 and a clamp gasket assembly 107. Tubular body 108 may be manufactured of stainless steel and may have the same or approximate inside diameter and outside diameter as containers 102 and 103. Tubular body 108 houses an annular filter plate (not illustrated). The filter plate may be affixed to or connected to tubular body 108 via welding in one implementation. In other implementations, the filter plate may be a separate part that is housed within tubular body 108 such as proximal to its lower end exhibiting a largely horizontal profile orthogonal to a center line of the tubular body.
Closed loop extractor 101 further includes a conical reducer tube 109. Reducer tube 109 may have a major outside diameter similar or identical to containers 102, 103, and tubular body 108 containing the filter plate. Reducer tube 109 may be manufactured of stainless steel and may have a major inside diameter similar or identical to the inside diameter of containers 102, 103, and tubular body 108 containing the filter plate. Reducer tube 109 is seated in this stack configuration between ring clamp gasket 107 and a ring clamp gasket 110. Reducer tube 109 may taper down or reduce the inside diameter from approximately 8 inches to 4 inches at a 2 to 1 ratio or another suitable ratio depending upon the diameters of the adjacent containers.
Modular container extractor 101 further includes a scope vessel assembly 113. Scope vessel assembly 113 may be connected to the reducer assembly at clamp gasket assembly 110. Scope vessel assembly 113 may be manufactured of a stainless steel and includes in this example, a top portion 114 and a bottom portion 116. Bottom portion 116 is adapted as a removable yield collection plate, pan, or bowl. Top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 of scope vessel 113 are connected together by a gasket clamp assembly 115. Top portion 114 of scope vessel 113 is closed at the upper end thereof with the exception of fittings such as fittings 118 and a central input or ingress tube 125. In one implementation, scope vessel 113 is fashioned using a robotic welding technique in order to reduce chance of vacuum and or gas leaks through broken welds. In one implementation scope vessel 113 may include a ball valve (not illustrated) that may be used to close off the scope vessel from the rest of extraction unit 101. One such scope vessel is described in more detail later in this specification.
Scope vessel 113 is adapted to receive processed and filtered product yield deposited on the bottom collection plate or pan 116. Scope vessel 113 may include at least two fittings 118. Fittings 118 may include a pressure release valve and at least one or more gas fittings. Scope vessel 113 may include at least one scope tube 117. In this example a gas line 126 connects fitting 118 to the recovery tank.
Scope tube 117 has a lens and is attached to the outer surface of the scope vessel at an angle so the an axis of scope tube 117 substantially intersects a center point of circular collection pan 116. This particular angled attachment enables a user to peer into the scope vessel, more particularly, at the entire bottom surface of collection pan 116 where the yield from processing is deposited. Scope tube 117 may be a stainless steel tube cut and welded at said angle to scope vessel upper portion 114. In one embodiment the welding is a robotic welding. Scope tube 117 is cut at the angle and welded to portion 114 of scope vessel 113 at a maximum angle of approximately 45 degrees or less of an angle for ergonomic, safety and optimal viewing purposes. The angle of attachment of scope tube 117 to vessel top portion 114 enables a user, typically a process operator, to more easily and safely view the volume of and consistency or viscosity of a product yield and to visually determine whether the gas and any other impurities have been fully recovered from the scope vessel and product yield after initial processing. The angled scope vessel has a length allowing the user to be physically separated from the system 100 while viewing creating a safer environment for the user while viewing. Scope length may be at least half the height of vessel assembly 113 or longer.
The viewing lens is at the top of scope tube 117 and may, in one embodiment, provide a magnified view that may be adjusted by turning the lens housing on a screw mechanism similar to a binocular lens. In one embodiment, scope vessel 113 includes a second port or window (not visible in this view) that includes a mounting interface for mounting a flashlight or other type of lighting to illuminate the inside of scope vessel 113, more particularly, at least the entire bottom surface area of the collection pan 116. In this view the second port and lighting are situated behind reducer tube 109 and scope vessel ingress tube 125. Scope vessel 113 may be heated during processing via a heating element 119 to help evacuate any gas or solvent from the scope vessel back into a recovery vessel or tank. It is noted herein that the use of heating may make it unnecessary in some embodiments to use a vacuum pump to evacuate gas, as the gas evacuates via temperature differentiation from the vessel 114 to tank 120 via line 126.
Extractor 101 may be loaded with organic material for processing through the top portion of container 102 in this implementation using two cylinder shaped containers. In one embodiment a user may connect more or less containers vertically, in stacked formation in order to dynamically adjust volume for processing a specific amount of material. Therefore, extractor 101 may be set up to process material using only one container such as container 103. In one implementation there may be more than two containers such as container 103 stacked to form extractor 101 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Extraction unit 101 has connection line 126 to recovery tank 120 from one of scope vessel gas fittings 118 for the purpose of recovering the gas initially injected into the extraction unit and used to process or “wash” the organics loaded into the system. The recovery tank is used solely for collecting the gas from this processing. The gas recovered may be butane or propane gas or another gas that helps separate lipids from the organic materials being processed. Owing to the properties of such gasses where cold gas is dense and settles while heated gas rises and moves away from the heat source, one or more heating elements such as element 119 may be implemented to help recover all of the gas from extraction unit 101 after a process is deemed completed, whether a vacuum pump is also utilized or not.
Extraction unit 101 has a line connection 127 to recovery tank 120 from gas fitting 124 teed in at vacuum gauge 123. Vacuum pump 121 has a vacuum connection in line 127 leading from fitting 124 to recovery tank 120 at a vacuum valve 122 (installed in the line). This aids in collecting cooler gas left over in the materials higher up in the system. When a recovery gas tank is full it may be removed and replaced with another empty tank to recover more gas if necessary. Additional gas fittings allow for gas to be introduced into the system from an introduction source (not illustrated) while recovery tank is connected to the extraction unit. Generally speaking, a user may determine visually through scope 117 whether the yield in the collection pan 116, also termed a shatter platter by the inventors, is at the right amount of yield and at the right consistency or viscosity for harvesting.
In general use of the present invention a user may assemble extractor 101 leaving off the top end clamp for material loading purposes. A normal load for extractor 101 may be approximately a few pounds (5 pound or less) of organic materials. After the material is loaded the top is clamped on and a user may then check that all of the connections and fittings are secure. It is noted herein that larger diameter versions of the extractor may hold more material up to 15 pounds or more without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Next a user may power on a vacuum pump like pump 121 to draw a vacuum within extractor unit 101. The vacuum may be just a slight or passive low pressure vacuum about 15 to 30 tor. A user may wait for a period of time about 15 minutes to see if the vacuum has held in the system. This is discernible at vacuum gauge 123 with the needle in the gauge remaining constant.
With a vacuum in place fresh gas may be injected into extractor 101 through though fitting 124. The line (127) may be disconnected from the recovery tank and reconnected to an introduction gas source or there may be two lines, one to recovery tank and one to introduction tank or can. Once connected to a fresh gas source, valve 122 may be opened to let gas into the extractor for processing. The typically cold gas washes through the material separating the useable lipids from the unusable organic matter. As the lipids are isolated or “extracted” from the organic materials they fall through the containers and a filter plate to keep organic contaminates which are larger than lipids out of the recovery tank. The filtered product falls through the reducer and down onto the center of the collection pan 116 along with residual gas. The gas introduction step may be repeated a number of times to effectively wash the product yield from the organic materials.
A user may check yield amount and consistency periodically or continuously by looking through scope 117. Once sufficient yield is detected a user may disconnect from an introduction gas source and then reconnect to recovery tank 120 for the purpose of recovering excess gasses or solvents from extractor 101, specifically vessel 114 so that the yield is cleaner. Recovery tank 120 has two valves, a red one indicating a liquid gas line and a blue one indicating a vapor gas line. By recovering all of the gas from closed loop extractor 101, the gas may later be used again or “recycled” back into the system. Moreover, the final product may be cleaner in terms of any leftover gas residuals.
After recovering gas from extractor 101 into recovery tank 120 the valves on the tank may be closed and the recovery tank disconnected. The collection pan 116 may then be removed from scope vessel 113 for further processing or use.
Scope tube 117 has a top piece or lens housing 201 that holds or contains a lens 202 to enable enhanced viewing of the product yield collected in pan 116. In one embodiment lens 202 may be a magnifying lens enabling viewing of the entire surface of the product within pan 116 or a more magnified view of the product in pan 116. The lens 202 may be brought into focus by rotating housing 201 bi-directionally over a screw mechanism according to the double arrow. In one embodiment tube 117 may be extendable outward and retracted inward according to a specific focus distance. In still another embodiment, an illumination source such as one or more light emitting diodes may be housed within scope tube 117 or in housing 201 in a manner not obstructing the lens to create more back lighting for viewing the yield.
In this example scope vessel 113 includes a second port or window 203 that supports mounting of a flashlight 204 with an off/on switch 205. A user may power on flashlight 204 via switch 205 to illuminate the entire interior surface of collection pan 116. In one embodiment the inside surface of pan 116, and in one embodiment, tube 117 is highly polished to a mirror or near mirror finish providing excellent light and image reflection to aid in illuminating the entire bottom area of the pan containing the yield. In one embodiment, lens housing 201 and lens 202 are removable such that lens 202 may be replaced with another lens.
In one embodiment lenses may include those having different colors for visually enhancing or improving the view of the yield. For example, using a color that provides a view having more contrast. Moreover, lighting color choices in both conventional flash light bulb or LEDs may be utilized to enhance or improve lighting for viewing. In a further embodiment the optical view port comprising tube 117 housing 201, and lens 202 may be adapted for an optic capture housing and cable that may capture images or a live cam feed of the yield as it is deposited and forward them to a remote computing appliance such as a lap top computer or a smart phone. It is noted herein that if there is a light source at the lens housing on scope tube 117, an additional port and flashlight are not required to practice the present invention. Having the light source or sources confined to the scope tube/lens housing eliminates the need for another port and flashlight reducing potential leak points in the vessel and simplifying its construction.
Scope tube 117 is welded into top portion 114 of vessel 113 at approximately a 45-degree angle, or less. The actual angle may vary somewhat without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In this example, the inside surfaces of tube 117 and pan 116 have a reflective “mirror” finish E. Mirror finish E enables all of the surface area to reflect light and images. Light source 204 provides illumination in this example, however other light sources may be substituted there for without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention such as LEDs discussed further above.
Scope tube 117 has an inside diameter C. A diameter D represents the diameter of the weld interface or passage from the tube 117 into the scope vessel 113. Due to the angled attachment of tube 117 to top portion 114, diameter D is significantly larger than diameter C providing more room to view the yield in pan 116. In combination, mirror surfaces E and larger diameter D of tube 117 enable a viewer to see the whole bottom area of pan 116.
Chamber 301 is fixedly mounted at a balanced center point along the length of the chamber to an axle 305. Axle 305 may be fabricated of stainless steel or another durable metal. Axle 305 is supported by an axle bearing housing 312 on one side of chamber 300 and by a drive gear housing 306 at the other end of chamber 300. In this example, axle bearing housing 312 and gear housing 306 are supported by a mobile frame structure 303. Frame 306 may be fabricated from any durable metal or material capable of supporting the weight of chamber 301 loaded with material. Axle 305 is rotatable via a turn wheel 307 connected to a drive shaft, in turn connected to a gear assembly within gear housing 306. Axle 305 rotates in a bidirectional manner at the turn of turn wheel 307.
Chamber 301 includes fittings 311. Fittings 311 may include one or more gas fittings, at least one vacuum fitting and a pressure release fitting. Chamber 301 includes a centrally disposed spider valve assembly 309. Spider valve 309 comprises four gas inlet passage ways 310 that intersect at an inlet tube with a sphere or ball valve and handle. Spider valve 309 is adapted to increase the intake force and amount of fresh gas injected into the extraction chamber. Chamber 301 is adapted to accept a vacuum and includes a vacuum gauge 308 to enable an operator to discern the vacuum within the chamber and to see if it holds (no vacuum leak). Frame structure 303 includes wheels 304 of which there are four, two in front and two (not visible) at the rear of the structure as will be detailed further later in this specification.
Chamber 301 may be loaded with material through an opening at the end opposite spider valve 309, hidden in this view by collar 302. The opening may have a screw on cap or lid with a gasket that is vacuum proof once installed. An operator may crank turn wheel 307 in any direction to spin chamber 301 about axle 305. This may be performed after materials are loaded into chamber 301 and initial gas infusion through spider valve 309 for the purpose of gaining maximum exposure relative to gas and the loaded organic materials. The chamber may then be connected to a filter plate/reducer assembly and a scope vessel to collect the product extracted from the organic materials. It is noted herein that the scope vessel ingress tube may include a ball valve to isolate the scope vessel from the material containers.
Extraction system 300 may be connected to a recovery tank and vacuum pump as depicted in
Rotation of chamber 301 ninety degrees further presents the material load end of the chamber in a downward and vertical position for interfacing with the aforementioned components to enable yield collection. It is noted herein that the dimensioning of the reducer tube component relative to interfacing openings may be different than those dimensions for the extractor of
Filter plate 704 may be set more toward the bottom of tube 708 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present depiction is logical only. Filter plate 704 may be manufactured of stainless steel or other materials that may be suitable for a baffle plate that are resistive to contamination from solvents used in the processing. Filter tube 708 may also include an industrial particulate filter such as a filter 712 that has further reduced openings in the micron scale for enabling lipids to pass but preventing non-desired organic residues from passing through, the filter openings of approximately 0.5 to 5.0 micron size. Filter 712 is logically represented herein. Filter 712 may be manufactured of a nylon or other suitable fabric and may be replaced periodically with a new filter between processing batches of material.
In this implementation a sphere valve tubular body 705 is added that is connected to reduction tube 709 by a clamp gasket assembly 710. Body 705 houses sphere valve and handle assembly 711. The lower end of valve 711 is flared to accept interface with the inlet tube 125 of
In one embodiment an operator may remove clamp 1102 to access the inside of chamber 1100. A suitable desiccant material such as a dry silica gel or an anhydrous sodium hydroxide may be placed therein to trap moisture from passing gas during a gas recovery operation. Gas fittings at each end of desiccant chamber 1100 enable quick connection into the gas line from the extractor system (scope vessel) to the recovery tank.
In use of the present invention, an operator loads organic materials into a process container or chamber of an extraction unit or system like system 101 (modular container) or system 301 (commercial extractor). Once materials are loaded and the clamp gaskets or screw gasket (commercial extractor) are reinstalled, the operator may connect a fresh gas source to the system through one or more than one gas fitting. The operator may then connect a gas recovery tank to the extraction unit in a manner similar to that depicted in
An operator may monitor a vacuum gauge for a small period of time after drawing vacuum to determine if the vacuum state within the system is holding for subsequent processing. If the vacuum gauge indicates that a drawn vacuum is not holding, the operator may check clamps and connections involved for leaks or inaccurate installations. Once vacuum state is stable within an extraction unit for a set period of time, the operator may introduce gas from a fresh gas source into the extraction unit. The amount of and force of gas entering an extraction unit may vary between different units and according to materials processed, amounts of materials loaded, and overall yield goals.
After gas is introduced the “washing process” occurs as the gas interacts with the material to isolate the yield or lipids. In one embodiment vacuum may be drawn in a part of the system, for example in the upper container or material portion of the system but not the scope vessel and vis a vis (multiple container system). Vacuum may also be applied to the recovery tank and line up to the valve on the scope vessel. In the commercial grade extraction system (
In the commercial grade system mentioned above the lid at the loading end is not replaced after loading so that the chamber may be subsequently connected to a reducer and filter plate assembly, instead implementing a sphere valve to close off the system for gas processing. In one embodiment recovered gas may be circulated back into the extraction unit one or more times after initial gas injection. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention a recovery gas tank such as tank 120 may contain an internal billow or inflatable device, to help create positive or negative pressure within the tank in order to drive gas back out of the recovery tank if recycled back into the system or into another collection tank or to draw gas back into the tank. In this embodiment, the inflatable device within the tank is connected to a fitting on the tank which is connected via to a pump, via a designated line. The pump capable of inflating or deflating the inflatable device, thereby adjusting the pressure within the tank.
Therefore, part of the process of moving gas to and from the system may involve alternate heating of different elements such as for example heating the scope vessel to help move gas back to the recovery tank and heating the recovery tank to move gas back into the system. In one embodiment this may be aided by vacuum draw as well.
In both types of extraction systems, the commonality in method is that the operator may visually monitor the scope vessel to view, under lighted conditions, the yield as it is deposited onto the bottom of the collection pan of the scope vessel. The angled (approximately 45 degrees, or less, from center line) and elongated scope tube such as tube 117 of
Once an operator is satisfied that processing is complete through visual monitoring including recovery of left over gas and, perhaps some time management, the operator may close off the system to the scope vessel and disconnect the vessel from gas lines and from the reduction tube. The bottom collection pan may then be removed containing the product yield, which may in turn be collected or harvested from the pan for use or for further processing to clean the yield from any leftover hydrocarbons from the gas residue. A machine designed for this purpose is detailed later in this specification.
Housing 1201 may house an electric motor/gear assembly and plug wire (not illustrated) to operate a vertical spindle 1202. The base/housing portion 1201 of maceration unit 1200 may support an electric heating element or plate 1210 that may or may not include a thermocouple device (not illustrated). A chamber 1203 is provided to hold yield product for purification. Chamber 1203, in one embodiment, may be a rectangular or annular hollow stainless steel tube closed or capped at the bottom and open at the top to accept a screw or clamp-on lid 1204. Lid 1204 may utilize a gasket to affect a vacuum capable seal of the top part of the chamber. A vacuum-capable bearing 1207 may be utilized at a central portion of lid 1204 where spindle 1202 extends there through.
Spindle 1202 has connection in this implementation, to a conical device 1205 having a spiral flute 1206 wrapped thereabout spiraling upward and around the conical device 1205 to the top edge of the device. Conical device 1205 is suspended within chamber 1203 having a space between Housing 1201 includes electronic controls 1209 for powering on and off the motor driving the spindle. In one implementation controls 1209 include a power on/off switch, a spindle forward and reverse switch, and a variable speed switch. In one implementation heating element 1210 heats when power is supplied for driving the spindle in order to reduce viscosity of the product. In another implementation, controls 1209 further include a temperature control for setting a specific temperature or a set switch for low, medium, and high temperatures for the heating element.
Chamber 1203 may include one or more fittings 1208. Fittings 1208 may include one or more than one vacuum fitting, and one or more than one pressure release fitting without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In use a final product yield may be placed into maceration chamber 1203 through the opening. Spindle 1202 may be inserted through vacuum bearing 1207 and connected to conical device 1205. Lid 1204 may then be screwed down or clamped down onto chamber 1203 sealing the product and conical device within. It is important to note herein that the conical device 1205 is always oriented vertically within wherein the wider base of the cone in facing downward.
An operator may then draw a vacuum on the chamber and may also initialize heating plate 1210. In one embodiment a vacuum gauge is provided to allow an operator to ascertain vacuum state within chamber 1203. The fluted edge 1206 of conical device 1205 spirals upward carrying the product yield upward under vacuum causing separation of hydrocarbons from the yield. The yield is carried upward and spins off of the conical device outward and falls back down, via gravity, to the bottom of the chamber.
Fluted edge 1206 may angle slightly upward from horizontal and may form an acute angle to the surface of conical device 1205. In one embodiment the flute is at a right angle to the surface of the conical device. In another embodiment the angle may be obtuse (greater than 90 degrees) with the surface angle of conical device 1205 while still maintaining a slightly upward angle from horizontal.
In one embodiment, flute 1206 is fabricated of a polymer and may be installed in parts to conical device 1205. In another embodiment, the flute is metal and is fabricated of one piece that may be installed onto the conical device by snapping into place or by standard mechanical methods. There are many possibilities.
Extractor unit 1300 includes a ball type spray valve connected to a male gas fitting 1304 provided through a closed clamp/gasket end cap 1303. When gas is introduced through fitting 1304. In one implementation a vacuum gauge (not illustrated) is also provided through the top clamp/gasket end cap. In one implementation spray valve 1305 is rotatable and may spin while gas is being introduced under pressure, for example with the tank including an inflatable device as described above. In one implementation spinning is passive and the force of introduced gas creates the spin in spray ball 1305.
In this implementation, extractor 1300 includes a reduction tube 1310 connected to tube 1308 via a clamp gasket assembly. The bottom end of reducer tube 1310 has connection to a sphere valve housing 1314 via a reduced diameter clamp gasket assembly 1311. Reduction diameter may be reduced from 12 to 4 inches or from 6 to 4 inches depending on the initial diameter. Other diameters and reduction diameters may be observed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. A sphere valve 1312 is contained within housing 1314 and may be controlled by valve handle 1313 for shutting off the valve and for opening the valve. Valve housing tube 1314 is in turn connected to an inlet tube 1318 on a scope vessel 1315 via a clamp gasket assembly 1324.
Also in this implementation, scope vessel 1315 includes two angled scope tubes 1319 in place of one scope tube such as tube 117 of
Scope vessel 1315 includes at least two fittings that may include gas fittings 1316 and 1317. In this implementation, the fittings have extension straws that extend downward and into the internal space of the vessel at least past mid-way. Scope vessel inlet tube 1318 also extends well within the interior of the scope vessel. The bottom portion of scope vessel 1315 opens into a collection pan 1321 comprising an upper portion 1322 and a lower portion 1325. Collection pan 1321 is held together relative to the two portions by a clamp/gasket assembly 1326. The bottom portion (1325) of pan 1321 is removable to take the product yield from the system. The modified design aids in concentrating the product yield into the center bottom of “platter” 1325. It is noted herein that there may also be a heating element and thermocouple associated with the bottom portion 1325 of the collection pan (not shown).
In this implementation extraction system 1300 is mounted atop a tubular frame structure 1320. Frame structure 1320 may be fabricated of stainless steel tubing. In other embodiments a rectangular steel tubing or steel sheet material may be used to construct the frame without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one implementation, frame 1320 includes four legs that have leveling screws 1323 at the bottom so that the yield may be kept at center of the bottom pan 1325. Extraction system 1300 may include one or more gas fittings and one or more vacuum fittings as described for earlier versions of the system.
In this system, material may be loaded through the top by removing end cap gasket assembly 1303. In operation, the system works like extractor unit 101 with regard to material loading, connection to vacuum pump and gas recovery tank, and connection to a fresh gas source for initial influx of gas to begin “washing” of the material. Elevating scope vessel 1315 off of the ground by use of frame 1320 provides easy and unfettered access to the product yield in collection pan bottom 1325. Spray ball valve 1305 includes multiple small openings to project inserted gas outward and downward evenly over the loaded organic material thereby reducing “wash time” for the loaded material.
Chamber 1701 includes a sphere valve assembly 1702 at opposite ends in this example. In this implementation, either end of chamber 1701 may be connected to a reducer assembly and a scope vessel (not illustrated). In this implementation, either end of chamber 1701 may be designated for connection to a reducer and scope vessel, as previously described. Also in this implementation the inside of chamber 1701 includes a baffle flute 1704 that aids in distribution of gas over the whole of the material more evenly.
Maceration chamber 1801 may be elongate and domed at both ends. Maceration vessel 1800 includes a hollow temperature jacket 1802 having an inner wall and an outer wall defining a space there between that is sealed at both ends. A dimension may be provided between the inner and outer wall of a range of 2-10 cm in some embodiments. Temperature jacket 1802 may be adapted to fit over chamber 1801 and may be welded to chamber 1801 at both ends. In one embodiment an inner wall of the temperature jacket may be integrated with an outer wall of chamber 1801, in essence, sharing the wall between both elements. Temperature jacket 1802 defines a continual hollow space that completely surrounds chamber 1801 and extends toward both chamber ends. In one embodiment jacket 1802 is a standoff cylinder with one wall and is not a double walled sleeve.
Maceration vessel 1800 is mounted in this example onto a roll-away stand 1803. Stand 1803 may be fabricated of steel and may include four rollers with roller brakes. Vessel 1800 is mounted onto an axle 1804. Axle 1804 may be fabricated of two separate portions (right and left axles). Axle 1804 is hollow in the form of a tubing and extends through jacket 1802 and may be mounted at either side of maceration vessel 1800 such that maceration vessel 1800 may be urged to pivot about axle 1804. Axle 1804 and jacket 1802 are sealed at their interfaces. Axle 1804 may be threaded on a portion of a side extending away from chamber 1801 to accept a male threaded part.
Axle 1804 may be driven by a gear housing 1805 that may include axle bearings to reduce friction. Gear housing 1805 may be operated manually by a user via a turn wheel 1807. Turn wheel 1807 includes a gear shaft having connection to a rotary gear within housing 1805 that interfaces with and drives axle 1804 resulting in an ability to urge maceration vessel 1800 to specified or random pivoted positions about the axle including full rotation (360 degrees) in either direction or one hundred and eighty degree rotations back and forth. Axle 1804 is supported at the end opposite turn wheel 1807 by a bearing housing 1806.
Maceration chamber 1801 has an opening at one end adapted for the purpose of loading plant material into the chamber. A filter collar or ring 1811 that may contain a maceration filter or filters is provided in this embodiment to prevent plant matter from exiting maceration chamber 1800 during processing. Said filter as described in
Jacket 1802 has two internal openings provided at each axle interface that may be female threaded to accept a male threaded part with a gasket for sealing. A nitrogen jacket input assembly 1813 is provided in this example to enable introduction of nitrogen liquid or another coolant gas or liquid into and through axle 1804 into the chamber surrounding internal jacket space of jacket 1802. A nitrogen input 1814 may be provided to accept a quick-connect nitrogen hose from a source tank of nitrogen gas. At the side opposite turn wheel 1807, a pressure gauge 1816 and a pressure release valve 1815 completes nitrogen jacket input assembly 1813.
Jacket 1802 may be filled with nitrogen gas or another coolant in order to enable quick passive transfer or blast of the gas from a transfer tank 2000 into the maceration vessel 1800. In such an instance the jacket on the transfer tank would be heated instead of being cooled. Cooling the jacket 1802 also functions to lower the temperature of the maceration process of plant material within chamber 1801 achieving a better wash or saturation with rotation of the chamber 1801 about the axle assembly. Chamber 1801 also includes a three quarter inch ball valve gas input 1810 connected to a four-way spider pipe input 1808 that may be welded to the top of chamber 1801. Spider valve input is adapted for accepting a solvent gas such as propane, butane, or another gaseous state or liquid state solvent that may act to bind to a lipid component or product yield such that it is separated, at a molecular level, from the rest of the plant materials.
Chamber 1801 includes a pressure gauge 1809 and is typically brought down to a vacuum state before solvent is delivered into the chamber through the spider valve port 1810. Chamber 1801 may include other fittings such as a vacuum fitting 1818, a pressure release fitting 1817, and one or more additional gas and or hose fittings. In general ball valve fitting may be three quarter to an inch in diameter depending on specific use and vacuum and relief valves may range from generally one half inch to three quarter inch diameters as may be required for connecting to a vacuum pump or a gas recovery tank as might be required during processing. One embodiment uses a larger diameter ¾ inch exit port below the collar 1811 in order to expedite delivery of solvent and lipid product from chamber 1801.
In addition to nitrogen input assembly 1813, jacket 1802 may include a pair of hose connectors 1812 (one illustrated) for enabling water or other liquids hot or cold to be circulated through the jacket at a time when nitrogen or another cold gas is not being used to chill the jacket. It is important to note that the chamber space of chamber 1801 is completely separate from the internal jacket space and that jacket 1802 is a cooling (or heating) mechanism to lower (or raise) the temperature by convection inside chamber 1801 during maceration (plant washing with solvent).
The capability of a user to pivot maceration vessel 1800 about axle 1804 combined with the ability of the user to simultaneously introduce a cooling agent such as nitrogen gas into jacket 1802 further optimizes processing by achieving a better yield binding by the solvent used in addition to enabling the solvent to reach or saturate all of the plant material without leaving any dry spots wherein all of the plant material was not properly washed or in sufficient contact with the solvent. It is noted herein that nitrogen input assembly 1813 includes a plurality of female and male threaded parts that will be described in more detail later in this specification. It is important to note herein that the side of the injection assembly that includes gauge 1816 is closed other than to release pressure automatically when a threshold is reached or if directed to do so according to gauge reading. Gauge 1816 generally is used to read the pressure that has built up inside the space of jacket 1802.
A quick connect hose from a nitrogen source tank may be easily connected to fitting 1913. A central passageway opens into jacket space 1915 at junction 1914 enabling nitrogen gas to enter the jacket. In one embodiment, the jacket may be drawn down to a vacuum before gas is injected. Nitrogen gas may travel throughout space 1915 surrounding the chamber filling up the whole of the jacket space with cold nitrogen.
On the opposite side of the vessel, the assembly continues with a transition fitting 1909, which may be analogous to fitting 1910. A pressing gasket 1908 is provided at the end of fitting 1909 and may be analogous to pressing gasket 1911. A swivel fitting 1907 (⅜″ MNPT×⅜″ FNPT) is provided at the end of fitting 1908. A ¼″ MNPT×⅜″ FNPT fitting 1906 is provided at the end of fitting 1907 and leads into a ¼″ FNPT 4-way Tee fitting 1904. At the bottom of fitting 1904 a pressure relief valve 1905 is provided. At the top of tee fitting 1904 a burst disc, also termed a rupture disc 1903 is provided. Burst disc 1903 is provided as a safety measure to protect the integrity of the jacket from over pressurization or too strong of a vacuum. On the opposite side of tee fitting 1904, a ⅛″ FNPT×¼″ MNPT fitting 1902 is provided to connect from tee fitting 1904 to pressure/vacuum gauge 1901.
Jacket 2002 has an upper fitting 2003 and a lower fitting 2004. Both fittings are adapted to enable hot or cold water to circulate around the transfer tank chamber to influence the temperature of the solvent gas inside and during transfer of that gas into an atlas maceration vessel such as vessel 1800 of
Transfer tank 2000 includes specific gas fittings such as a ¾″ ball valve fitting 2005 to enable controlled outflow of solvent gas from tank 2000 through a hose line into a spider valve of an atlas maceration vessel such as is depicted in a partial view to illustrate connection for gas transfer. Transfer tank 2000 may include a sight glass tube (scope) 2007 with a light source to enable viewing within the tank. Transfer tank 2000 further includes a pressure/vacuum gauge
to reveal the amount of pressure or vacuum within the tank. Transfer tank 2000 may also include a pressure relief valve and a vacuum pull valve. It is important to note herein that jacket 2002 May also be cooled in certain circumstances such as to enhance transfer of gas from commercial storage into the transfer tank. In this embodiment, the fittings for gas transfer, pressure relief, and the gauge are mounted to a top portion or lid that is mounted to the chamber via a clamp gasket. In a preferred embodiment the hose line is a ¾″ FJIC hose.
Transfer tank 2000 may be chilled via jacket 2002 to quickly draw in gas from a commercial tank or warmed via hot water circulation to increase the temperature inside the chamber to aid expulsion of gas into a maceration machine under vacuum. It is preferable that the gas move or transfer swiftly into the maceration vessel and jacket 2002 may help expedite egress of the solvent gas while the spider valve (¾″ ball valve) on the receiving maceration vessel further aids distribution of the solvent gasses into the maceration chamber in an unimpeded and evenly distributed manner relative to area. Transfer tank 2000 enables efficient and timely delivery of solvent gas that may be controlled by valve into the atlas chamber to wash over the plant material. A vacuum fitting (T valve) might also be provided on tank 2000 (not visible) to enable drawing down the tank to vacuum for receiving commercially stored gas. It is noted herein that the jackets may be chilled to lower the temperature of a tank or vessel to enable efficient but passive transfer of a solvent gas between vessels or between tanks or between tanks and vessels or vessels to tanks. The capability of quickly chilling or heating a tank or vessel via a jacket enables reduction in gas transfer time and enables a more complete gas transfer. Drawing the receiving tank or vessel down to vacuum also aids transfer.
Scope vessel 2100 includes a collection chamber 2101 generally hollow and annular in shape. Chamber 2101 may be manufactured of stainless steel or another metal having the durability to withstand pressure and vacuum and having a low contamination factor. Scope vessel 2100 includes a vessel jacket similar to the jackets described in
Jacket 2102 extends to the bottom portion of the scope vessel. Jacket 2102 includes end cap water hose fittings 2124 and 2125 adapted to accept a water line for maintaining a desired temperature within chamber 2101. This enables a user to circulate hot water through jacket 2102. In this embodiment, there are additional lower fittings 2118 and 2119 that may be used to drain water or also in the circulation of hot water through the jacket. Scope vessel 2100 includes a sighting scope 2106 with a light source for the purpose of viewing product level and viscosity within the vessel. Scope 2106 may be a 2-6″ scope diameter. There may be more than one viewing scope installed on vessel 2100 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and such scopes may be angled away from a center point of the chamber 2101 in installation for convenience of the user or users viewing within the chamber. Moreover, such scopes include individual lighting sources such as a flash light and may extend through the heating/cooling jacket. Scope vessel 2100 includes a top collar and lid 2126 and 2127 respectively, the lid clamping down on the collar over a gasket. A series of I bolts may be used to clamp lid 2127 over collar 2126 and may also be used to lift and move the vessel as it is very large and heavy in a commercial embodiment.
In this embodiment scope vessel 2100 includes three 2″ ferrule hose input ball valves that are connected to and give access to vessel chamber 2101 through jacket 2102 in a manner that prevents breach into the jacket. Clam gaskets may be used to secure the valve stems to the 2″ diameter inputs. Each of these input valves 2111, 2112, and 2113 represent an input for connecting a gas and product output hose from an atlas maceration vessel such as the vessel described in
Additionally, vacuum pressure may be released and positive pressure applied within chamber 1801 of the Atlas shown in
Scope vessel 2100 includes an oil evacuation pipe 2115 at the bottom of the vessel having access to the inside of the chamber 2101. Evacuation pipe 2115 may include a pipe 2116 connected by gasket clamp to the scope vessel chamber. Pipe 2116 may include a jacket 2115 welded or otherwise installed over the pipe. In this case Jacket 2116 may be used to heat the evacuation pipe to reduce viscosity of the final yield product such as an oil extracted from the plant material so it flows out of the scope vessel more easily. Jacket 2116 includes at least two hose fittings 2119 (second fitting not visible) for enabling circulation of hot water through the jacket. Heating jacket 2102 during process acts to influence the temperature of the gas and lipids within the chamber and enable a more complete separation of solvent gasses and the final product yield allowing the yield to settle at the bottom off the vessel while the heated solvent separates from the lipid (oil) rendering gas that rises within the chamber and out for recovery back to transfer tank 2000 and reuse in the process. More details regarding this process is provided, below. A ball valve 2117 output may be connected to a short hose or may be connected directly to an approved collection container or package that is adapted to accept the final product.
Scope vessel 2100 also includes a gas out stack 2103 for evacuation of solvent gasses (gas separated from product) within the scope vessel chamber 2101. Stack 2103 includes a tubular pipe 2104 having access to within the chamber 2101 and a heating/cooling jacket 2105 (used primarily for heating gas). Jacket 2105 like other jackets described may be a standoff cylinder weld able to the evacuation pipe or a double walled sleeve welded to or otherwise attached to the evacuation pipe without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. An output ball valve fitting 2109 such as a ¾″ ball valve fitting may be clamped to and have access to pipe 2104. Valve and fitting 2109 may connect to a gas recovery tank such as the transfer tank 2000 of
A dry gas canister, also referred to as a desiccation filter 2110 may be bracketed onto scope vessel 2100 in one embodiment. Canister 2110 includes an output ¾″ ball valve 2117 and three gas input ¾″ ball valves 2121, 2122, and 2123 respectively. Canister 2110 may be used to remove moisture and other impurities from solvent gas before it is recovered to a transfer tank like tank 2000 of
In a preferred embodiment gas recovery involves evacuating all of the solvent gas back to a gas transfer such as tank 2000. Gas exhaust stack 2103 may be heated to a higher temperature, via jacket 2105 while the transfer tank may be chilled, via jacket 2002, to receive the heated gas from the scope vessel. Heating the gas acts to separate the gas from the product more completely and in less time than natural gas offing at ambient temperatures. Cooler gas functions to bind with the final product stripping or separating it from the plant material. Product capacity of scope vessel 2100 may be as high as 600 liters or more, although product level of the scope vessel cannot exceed a level at input valves 2111-2113. Jacket 2102 may be heated along with jacket 2116 in order to render final yield more liquid or less viscous for evacuating yield into approved containers and possible further processing such as quality control and additional purification if required.
In a further embodiment of the invention, scope vessel 2100 includes a pressure and vacuum relief tree 2128. Pressure and vacuum relief tree 2128 is an assembly of tubing and ball valves emanating vertically from scope vessel chamber 2101. Tree 2128 is mounted onto a 2″ collar welded to the vessel wall and open into the vessel chamber. Clamp gaskets may be utilized to mount the apparatus in a manner that is leak tight. Tree 2128 may be assembled from individual tubing sections such as tee sections 2133. A tee section 2133 may be formed of stainless steel tubing such that there is a somewhat linear vertical profile whereby the tubing is open at the top and bottom ends of each tubing section and wherein a lateral opening is formed in the tubing section having a sufficient shoulder to mount a 1.5″ or 2″ manually operable ball valve gas fittings.
In this implementation there are three identical tubing sections stacked vertically in a leak tight fashion to the other using clamp gaskets. At the open end of the last highest tubing section 2133 is yet another 1.5″or 2″ ball valve gas inlet mounted vertically. Of course all of the ball valves include handles and may be shut off in a leak tight manner and a few as a single atlas vessel may be connected with the other valves shut.
Referring now to
For example, a hose line is connected from the spider valve fitting on the atlas and the opposite end of the hose is connected to the pressure relief tree on the scope vessel, whereas the quick connect fitting on the opposite side of the atlas is connected to a ball valve inlet fitting emanating laterally side of the scope vessel chamber. Referring now back to
When maceration is complete as desired by a user (time, number of rotations, etc.) each maceration vessel may be connected to a scope vessel 2204 (schematic representation) that may be analogous to the scope vessel of
All of the gas and product stripped from the plant materials is evacuated from each vessel into the scope vessel one vessel at a time (sequentially) in a preferred embodiment. After the gas and product is emptied into scope vessel 2204 from all of the vessels, jacket space 2205 may be heated in order to aid in unbinding of the solvent gas from the yield product. The hotter gas rises and the yield sinks to the bottom of the vessel for evacuation. The solvent gas may be recovered into a transfer tank like tank 2000 of
Controlling temperature through jacket chilling and jacket heating combined with a capability of controlling internal pressures and vacuum pull effects across connected vessels significantly reduces the amount of work time during the overall process of plant maceration and reduction to yield. Additionally, when vessels 2201-2203 are used to process and dump product, sequentially, the process may continue uninterrupted until a desired amount of product fill is achieved into vessel 2204. Moreover, manipulation of the jackets on the scope vessel and components helps to optimize solvent product unbinding, gas recovery back into a transfer or recovery tank, and evacuation of high quality viscous product yield.
If the vessels are ready and do not leak at step 2301, then the process may move directly to step 2305. If, however, it is determined that one or more vessels need to be checked for leaks then an operator may check connections and fittings in step 2302. In this process an operator may endeavor to check and then tighten all connections and checking that all ball valve handles are in the off position. Typically, the off position is determined by the position of the valve handle which is perpendicular to the hose line for off and parallel with the hose line for on.
At step 2303, the operator may apply vacuum and or pressure to vessels using a pump to pull vacuum or add pressure to a vessel. Once a steady level is recorded (vacuum or pressure) then the operator may observer the reading on a gauge over a period of time to determine if there may be leaks. A steady reading over a long period of time is sufficient to determine if there is a leaky connection or fitting. First time use may require a longer check period whereas a vessel known to be fit may be tested for about ten minutes before processing.
At step 2304, for example, the operator may determine whether a gauge has had a steady reading over a period of time or not. If at step 2304 it is determined that the gauge reading is steady, then the process may move on to step 2305. If the gauge reading has not remained steady and has shifted, the process may resolve back to step 2302 and leak checking of individual connections and fittings may be required to determine the location of the breach or breaches.
The first undertaking once verifying the vacuum and pressure integrity of the equipment is to transfer gas from one or more commercial gas cylinders into a jacketed gas transfer tank that will be used to blast the solvent gas into an atlas vessel. At step 2305 the operator may, using a pump, pull a vacuum on an empty gas transfer tank through an available vacuum fitting on the tank. It is noted herein that a gas transfer tank such as tank 2000 of
With vacuum achieved, at step 2306 an operator may chill the transfer tank using the isolated tank jacket. The operator may connect a cold water line to a jacket input hose fitting and another line to a jacket output hose fitting on the jacket. Thus cold water may be circulated through the jacket. The purpose of cooling the tank in this manner is to enable a healthy passive flow of gas from a commercial cylinder into the transfer tank. Passive transfer may be accomplished in this manner without a pump involved. Nitrogen cooling may also be used instead of water, but requires that pressure relief valve and a pressure/vacuum (compound) gauge be installed at the output fitting on the jacket. At step 2307, the operator may connect the commercial solvent tank to the transfer tank. The solvent tank and transfer tank may be placed on weigh scales to help gauge weight. At step 2308 the operator may fill the transfer tank to a specified weight. It is recommended that the fill weight be at least twenty-five percent less than capacity of the transfer tank. For example, if the capacity of the transfer tank is 100 pounds, then it should be filled to seventy-five pounds. The operator may disconnect the coolant source from the transfer tank Jacket after it is filled.
At step 2309, the operator may load plant material for processing into the atlas vessel by removing the filter plate and replacing it with a filter to prevent undesirable plant material from entering the system after material is loaded. The amount of material may vary according to operator determination but the capacity of the vessel in a commercial environment may hold many pounds, up to twenty or more of material for processing. A loose material back is preferable over a tight material packing to aid gas saturation. At step 2310, the operator may pull a vacuum on the atlas vessel in preparation to receive gas from a transfer tank.
At step 2311, the operator may chill the atlas vessel via nitrogen source with pressure relief and gauge or circulation via cold water source. At step 2312, the operator may connect the gas transfer tank output line to the atlas vessel spider valve input fitting. The operator may then blast gas into the atlas vessel through the spider valve from the output of the transfer tank. At step 2313, the atlas may be passively filled up to approximately 50 pounds of gas for product maceration. At step 2314, an operator may rotate the atlas vessel via a turn wheel in full rotation or back and forth pivot of about one hundred eighty degrees several repetitions. This enables the gas to more fully saturate the plant material due to gravity and density of the solvent gas resulting from temperature control through the atlas jacket (chilled). The solvent gas in a cool state binds to product yield (Lipids) separating them from the rest of the plant material. The nitrogen injection assembly described with reference to
At step 2318 the lipid rich gas in the atlas dumps into the scope vessel aided by the 1″ diameter of the dump line and by the connection to the pressure and vacuum relief tree, which in this case alleviates the vacuum resistance (suction) caused by dumping the solvent gas and product yield. The heated condition of the scope vessel jacket functions to heat up the gas as it enters the scope vessel to help unbind the solvent from the product yield.
At step 2319, an operator may apply circulatory heating to the exhaust stack jacket as well to prepare for gas recovery and further aid in unbinding between solvent gas and the product. At step 2320, the operator may connect a pump to a desiccation canister such as canister 2110 of
Heating the exhaust stack functions to excite the gas to unbind from product before it is recovered. The desiccation canister may function to remove moisture that may be left over in the gas. In one aspect of the method, a step may be added for chilling the jacket on the recovery tank to aid in a more efficient recovery process for all vessels. The operator may recover gas from all of the vessels at step 2323. At step 2324 the operator may heat a product evacuation sleeve such as sleeve 2115 of
It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the plant maceration system of the invention may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention that may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a continuation in part (CIP) of a U.S. patent application entitled ORGANIC MATERIAL PROCESSING SYSTEM Ser. No. 15/743,599 filed on Jan. 10, 2018, disclosure of which may be included herein at least by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/743,599 is a National Entry in the US from PCT/US16/42345 filed Jul. 14, 2016. The PCT/US16/42345 claims priority to a U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62,193,707 entitled Angled Degree Viewing Port for Biomass Distilling Machine filed on Jul. 17, 2015 and to a U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/207,122 entitled Spinning Function for Live Fresh Plant Maceration in a Biomass Distilling Machine filed on Aug. 19, 2015, disclosure of which is incorporated herein at least by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62193707 | Jul 2015 | US | |
| 62207122 | Aug 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15743599 | Jan 2018 | US |
| Child | 16391185 | US |
