Infinity Supercritical is now producing a 5L and 10L dewaxing machine for the winterizing process. The unit comes with a on-board vacuum pump and one (5L) or two (10L capacity) bowls for fast filtering of waxes. The unit can also be used for other dewaxing processes which use a 50 cm or 20 inch paper filter. Contact Infinity Supercritical for more information.
Filter Paper Supplies from Amazon (50 cm or 20 inch diameter):
Infinity is offering a 10L system which can process around up to 40 lbs per day of botanicals.
Infinity is also the first to offer a 10L system for $5,000 per month subscription.
Please visit our website for more information: Infinity 10L Subscription Special
http://www.infinitysupercritical.com
Infinity is offering a 100L system (10 x 10L) at a special discount price which can process around 200 lbs per day of botanicals.
Infinity is also the first to offer a 10L system for $5,000 per month subscription.
Please visit our website for more information: Infinity 10L Subscription Special
http://www.infinitysupercritical.com
PDF Download: 20170822-infinity-supercritical-co2-extraction-profit-review
Introduction: The market segment which is making money right now is oil extraction and concentrates. This might be cannabis oil (vape pens), hemp oil (CBDs), or in the nutraceuticals industry, phenols and metabolites. The later is mainly used in the supplement industry in tablet, capsule, and concentrate form (tincture – used to drop into tea, flavor drinks, etc.).
Oil extraction is a value-added segment of the industry, which is more profitable than cultivation, due to the limited number of extractors. Lots of cultivators and large supply, drive prices down. Limited extractors, and small supply, drive prices up.
Research: The best strategy is to research and study the area you want to focus on, and which industry and consumer to target. If you focus on a niche market, you will have better results, than if you do what everyone else does.
Branding: Having your own brand will identify your product with consistency. It allows the consumer to quickly chose your product, and refer your product to others. Word of mouth is sometimes the best advertising, and best of all it’s free.
Steps to Profit
Step 1: Identify your botanical, product, and market. What product do you want to sell, and who is going to buy it ?
Step 2: Identify attributes to your product, and benefits of the botanical. Choose a brand name.
Step 3: Establish a botanical supplier and purity. Have a certified lab test your botanical sample, and indicate pesticide free, and available oil. Negotiate your best price on the botanicals, and insist on regular sample testing, and tracking from growth, harvest, and final delivery.
Step 4: Flavinoids. Do you want your brand product to have flavor ? Botanicals are flavored by compounds called terpenes, which can be removed in the extraction process. They can even be removed, and replaced, with a different flavor (such as removing a hops taste or smell, with vanilla).
Step 5: Establish your market network. This may include direct-to-customer sales (via a website or sales agents), for non-regulated items Amazon, or through retail organizations like dispensaries.
Step 6: Source and assemble your extraction process, including the extraction equipment and any post-processing equipment needed to put the oil or concentrate into a consumer ready format (i.e. vape pens, tincture, etc.). Get competitive quotes on equipment, and go see it in operation before you buy.
Step 7: Develop a comprehensive website, which includes ordering direct, publications on the product, including any scientific research. For fast set-up, use WordPress.
Step 8: Test run your production line, and provide free samples for a limited time.
Step 9: Price your product. A brand name will command a higher price than a generic product. A niche market will also bring higher prices. Do you want a one-time sale, or offer a subscription ?
Step 10: Return on Investment feedback. Set a loop in the chain of supply and sales that allows you to capture and analyze metrics of the cost of goods versus your profit. Adjust your supplier price, and sale price accordingly.
Summary: While this is not a comprehensive list of everything that needs to be done, this will get you on the right path. These steps are merely guidelines, that can get you on the road to profit. You may need to re-number the list, according to your priority and product development. Redefining markets, customers, and profits is a dynamic strategy, since none of those factors are static. Over time, you need to constantly innovate new ways to market and develop your product for a savvy consumer.
Infinity Supercritical Botanical Oil Extraction Machine Which Uses CO2 as the Solvent
PDF Link to Review: 20170714-infinity-supercritical-sco2-science-review
SEATTLE, WA July 2017 (Infinity Supercritical Staff Article Review)
Supercritical fluid extraction with CO2 is already used on a large scale for botanical extraction due to its low cost, generally safe nature, and well known properties.
Reference science pdf article: Rovetto, Laura J., and Niccolo V. Aieta. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. The Journal of Supercritical Fluids (2017)
Supercritical (SC) CO2 properties, like density, and thus solvent power, change with temperature and pressure allowing for selectivity via tuning.
One can also use more polar co-solvents, like ethanol, to expand the extraction range of the low-polarity CO2 to include more polar components.
Previous research has shown two different optimal extraction parameters with SFE for terpenes and cannabinoids.
This study did not find a significant difference in extraction rate from 313-333 Kelvin (104- 140 F).
During the extraction time (during the linear trend before exhaustion), a yield of 0.00243g of extract/g of CO2, 0.00455g of extract/g of CO2, and 0.00666g of extract/g of CO2 was found for 17 MPa, 24 MPa, and 34 MPa respectively at 328K. 16.63 percent THC plant potency.
At 34 MPa, 0.0066g of extract/g of CO2, 0.01361g of extract/g of CO2, 0.00431g of extract/g of feed, and 0.00186g of extract/g of feed for the potencies 16.63 percent, 14.03 percent, 10.11 percent and 6.05 percent THC cannabis respectively.
Comparing using SC CO2 at 328K between 17, 24, and 34 MPa, the higher the pressure, the higher the yield, but lower the THC potency of the final mixture. 7.4 percent, 17.2 percent, 18.5 percent extract yield in comparison to total start weight; 76.23 percent, 70.63 percent, 69.41 percent THC potency for over 2 hours. 16.63 percent THC potency starting material and S/F ratios of 50 for high pressures, 100 for low.
At these temperature and pressures, partial decarboxylation takes place on the THCA to THC.
Higher Pressure = Lower Potency
They used a multi-stage depressurization chillers to precipitate the extract. Most of theTHC (and highest extract amount) was found in the first stage at 13 MPa (1,885 psi) and 328K (130 F), but was waxy, pasty, and darker in color. In the second and third separator MPa (1,305 psi) and 328K (130 F) and MPa (870 psi) and 298K (77 F), more fluid yellow color extract appeared.
Compared different potency cannabis (A 16.63 percent, B 14.03 percent, C 10.11 percent, and D 6.05 percent), leading to potencies of extract of A 69.41 percent, B 61.21 percent, C 57.86 percent, and D 56.06 percent total THC. Thus the more originally potent, the more potent the extract.
Extraction efficiency (in relation to THC) rises slightly as potencies decreases (A 89.89 percent, B 89.17 percent, C 90.31 percent, D 92.23 percent).
Extraction efficiency increases as potency decreases.
They attempted to use ethanol as a co- solvents. This would cause more additional process steps, unless you want to use winterization, in which case it does not heavily modify your process line.
No major difference between using 5 percent and 10 percent ethanol by weight in extraction, but noticeable decrease dropping to 2.5 percent. Thus 5 percent is an efficient amount of co-solvents. (328K 131 F, 34 MPa 4,931 psi, S/F 20)
If ethanol is used, use 5 percent.
With the conditions in 12, the plant material was exhausted within 50 minutes of extraction.
Ethanol pulses versus constant flow was compared and pulses either performed better, or the same as constant flow. (2 hour extraction, 5 percent by weight ethanol divided into 3 pulses at 0 minutes, 50 minutes and 110 minutes.)
Since plant material was at exhaustion by the 50 minute mark, only the first pulse was needed to be applied, meaning minimal ethanol is necessary.
Ethanol drastically decreases the SF ratio necessary for lower potencies cannabis to be extracted (only 60 percent of the mass of extract gained using ethanol achieved at 2 hours, compared to the 100 percent gained in 50 minutes).
Something not mentioned in the article, the residual THC in the exhausted plant material is about the same for the lower potency cannabis, implying that the 2 hour extraction extracts all the THC and the extra mass accumulated with the ethanol comes from additional cannabinoids.
Summary:
2. Extraction efficiency increases as potency decreases.
3. Ethanol cosolvent increases extraction, optimized at 5 percent ethanol added.
4. Pulsing performs better than constant flow.
Start First Extraction Using Hops With Known Oil Content
The best way to learn a supercritical CO2 extraction is to first get system training. This can be done at our shop in Ferndale, WA, or with our certified factory rep in Long Beach, California.
You should practice with your 10L system within 1 week of training, or you most likely will forget what you learned. Practice = experience.
The first practice runs should be with CO2 only, and running the system to pressure without any botanicals.
Then do a minimum of 10 runs with leaf beer hops. Order beer hops with known oil content (8-20 percent works great). This will give you valuable experience in starting and running the machine. Make a deal with your local hops supplier to do extracts for them in exchange for the hops if you want. Otherwise, just purchase the hops.
The common question we get from customers: But we already have cheap trim ! Do you know the oil content of the trim? No. But it’s free. Well, how do you know if it has any oil in it ? Um, we don’t. So how much oil can you extract from that cheap trim with unknown oil quantity ? We don’t know, but nothing is coming out.
If you want to be a successful extractor, please follow our guidance.
Hops Suppliers:
Washington State (our supplier):
Email: Robert Northcorner <north.corner.brewing@gmail.com>
TEL: (360) 714-1186
Website: http://www.northcornerbrewing.com
Here are the 3 least expensive options: oil content expressed in
ML/100g, all 1# packaged units
Cascade: $12.79/# .8-1.5 (8-15 percent)
Willamette: $13.80/# 1-1.5 (10-15 percent)
Millennium: $14.69/# 1.8-2.2 (18-22 percent)
In the Los Angeles Area (California):
Eagle Rock Brewing Supply
Email: EagleRockHBS@yahoo.com
TEL: (323) 258-2107
Website: http://www.eaglerockhomebrewing.com
4981 Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Culver City Home Brewing Supply
Email: CCHBS@yahoo.com
TEL: (310)397-3453
4234 Sepulveda Blvd
Culver City, CA 90230
South Bay Brewing Supply
Email: brew@southbaybrewing.com
TEL: (310) 328-2133
Website: http://www.southbaybrewingsupply.com
1311 Post Ave
Torrance, CA 90501
Test Your Botanicals For Oil Content
Get your trim or botanicals tested. It’s the only way to determine how much oil you can extract. If you have cheap or free trim, you may not have any oil content for extracting.
Testing is inexpensive, and a good insurance policy that you are buying what is advertised. If you get free trim, that is not tested, don’t expect any results.
Cannabis Testing and Potency Services
California (here are some options – or google “Los Angeles cannabis testing”:
Coastal Analytical
Email: info@coastalanalytical.com
TEL: (442) 222- TEST
Website: https://coastalanalytical.com
300 Carlsbad Village Drive
Suite 108A-415
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Pure Analytics
Email: info@pureanalytics.net
TEL: (888) 505-7108
Website: http://pureanalytics.net
SC Labs
Email: info@sclabs.com
TEL: (866) 435-0709
Website: https://www.sclabs.com
PharmLabs
Email: INFO@PHARMLABSCANNABISTESTING.COM
TEL: (619) 356-0898
Which solvent is best ? Research and you decide.
BHO and Ethanol Solvent
Hydrocarbons (such as Butane or BHO) and Ethanol are cheap solvents, that can degrade terpenes, nutraceuticals, and extract non-desirable components that require a great deal more post-processing. Both are highly flammable and explosive. So much, that specially designed blast rooms are required for code, and are outlawed in some areas. BHO specifically, can leave residues, which if are not properly removed during distillation, can result in nose-burn or heart aches (Google – butane in the bloodstream or dangers of butaneingestion for more info). If not properly processed, BHO only has a shelf-life of a few weeks. Reference: Human Toxicity of Butane
CO2 Solvent
CO2 is one of the preferred solvents for botanical extraction, which can better target oil (minimize wax and other undesirable extractions which need to be post-processed removed). It has a relatively unlimited shelf life if properly prepared. With proper extraction technique, CO2 can preserve both terpenes and nutraceuticals.
Organic Extraction Using Water
Using water as the botanical oil extraction method is the holy-grail of methods, since it does not require high-pressure gas containment, and uses one of the most abundant elements available, water.
An additional benefit is that it is a organic process, can be continuous feed, and smaller footprint with less overall equipment costs in large processing operations.
Currently there is only one manufacturer that builds the SDR (Spinning Disc Reactor) for this method of botanical oil extraction, Infinity Supercritical.
PDF: 20171216-infinity-supercritical-fast-filter-system-winterization-wax
April 11, 2018 Addendum: This fast filter technology can also be used to fast filter graphene from graphene processing. The filter allows fast capture of graphene which is currently used in the high-tech sector.
Fast Filter Process for Dewaxing Winterized Liquid – Portable and Modular Fast Filter System – Plug and Play
If you currently use Buchner flasks, consider a Infinity Fast Filter System for dewaxing your winterized solution for up to 10 times faster than conventional filtering.
This is the perfect compliment to your botanical extraction system, whether it be hydrocarbons, ethanol, or supercritical CO2.
The modular system includes everything you need to get started, including a vacuum pump, paper filters, and a fast filter system mounted in a cart frame with industrial casters, that can be easily moved by one person. The 1-5L system runs off of 110V and can be solar powered with an inverter for off-grid use.
The Fast Filter System allows you to process more product, in less time, saving you valuable labor and giving you access to more profits.
Features and Process:
– Different than Buchner: Fast filtering, can use variety of sorbents (paper, carbon, Zeolites, etc.). No glassware.
– Portable: Self-contained cart-based system is mounted on casters. Tilt and haul away.
– Cleaning: use ethanol to clean surfaces
– Construction: All stainless steel for filtering system.
– Maintenance: Clean surface after use. Change gaskets as desired.
– Vacuum: On-board included system.
– Certifications: FM approved (similar to UL).
– Filtrate (finished concentrate without wax): Collected in stainless collection vessel at bottom of cart. Use rotary evaporator to remove ethanol.
– Wax By-Product: Sell for cosmetics, consumer, surfboard wax, food coatings, polish, wood coating and end sealants, or making candles.
– Paper Filter: Discard after use. May use 24mm diameter filters in 5, 10, 20+ microns.
– Other Filter Media: Carbon, zeolites, and other media.
– Containment Loading Vessel: 1 Liter. Feed rate .5 to 2 Liter per minute depending on wax density.
– Collection Vessel: Up to 10 Liters
– Winterizing Solution: Ethanol to concentrate 10:1
– Scalable and Modular: Mount multiple units on our 24×48 inch footprint caster beam cart for up to 8x capacity.
– Add Capacity: Add capacity as your processing capacity grows.
Summary: Winterization (ethanol alcohol wash) is done after extraction process to remove unwanted compounds such as wax, fats, and chlorophyll. The primary advantage to winterizing is a more potent CBD (Cannabidiol). The disadvantage is that the final CBD product will contain fewer terpenes (flavor/smell). Terpenes can be purchased separately, or removed prior to extraction run on a CO2 process, and prior to winterization, and then re-added after winterization (final product blend). The Infinity Fast Filter is perfect for the winterizing liquid filter process. The self-contained cart system includes a on-board vacuum system for fast processing. Winterizing Process: 1. Ethanol 10:1 Concentrate 2. 4-24 hours of ethanol oil solution in freezer -20 to -80 C 3. Filter paper in filter, then put oil solution from freezer into filter and turn on vacuum pump. 4. 1L in under 5 minutes. 5. Remove wax from filter, and discard filter. 6. Rotavap to remove ethanol. Filter Media (Available on Amazon): Paper Filter: removes waxes Carbon Filter: removes color and other waste components. Zeolites: Experimental absorber.
For more information, please contact Infinity Supercritical
Filter Paper Supplies from Amazon (50 cm or 20 inch diameter):
See: http://www.infinitysupercritical.com/roi.html
As Infinity Supercritical has developed and just updated a application based on Filemaker, which allows the commercial processor to estimate potential costs of production and profits. The app is free, and can be downloaded from the link above.
The image below is an example of the 10L starter system using good quality trim at $100 per pound. The estimated yield using Supercritical CO2 extraction is around 5 percent. You need to test the oil content of the trim, to establish how much oil you can extract. In this case, there was 5 percent available oil. While wholesale/retail prices will vary, the ROI simulator gives the processor an idea of what to expect for costs and resulting profits.
PDF Download Link: 20170206-infinity-supercritical-flash-chromatography
Distillation is commonly used to purify and separate liquids. In the Cannabis industry, this is typically done by thin film or simple distillation, which uses heat to vaporize (evaporate) components, which are then condensed into fractions. Those fractions (THC, CBD, and Terpenes) can then be recombined for a recipe, or signature oil which can be used for concentrates (edibles) or vape pens. The new technique is called Flash Chromatography. http://www.biotage.com/news/effective-cannabinoid-purification-by-flash-chromatography
What is Flash Chromatography ?
Flash chromatography is a method to easily separate complex mixtures of compounds. It is based on column chromatography, which is a technique to purify (separate) compounds based on polarity and hydrophobicity. Separate occurs between differential partitioning between mobile and stationary phase. Introduce a liquid (Cannabis oil extract) and this separation technique will result in THC, Cannabinoids, and Terpenes.
http://static1.buchi.com/sites/default/files/microsite/downloads/Process_Flyer_A4_en_final.pdf
How Can I Use This In My Extraction Process ?
If you already have a CO2 extraction system, you will need to winterize your crude oil, then it will be ready for Flash Chromatography. As you identify the components to separate, the machine will automatically identify and then target components to separate into different vials. You can then recombine these separations in to recipes (for example, 10 percent THC, 85 percent CBD, and 5 percent terpenes). Using this method you can make custom vape pens, or concentrates.
