Notes

Cannabis Extraction Equipment 101

Somewhat straightforward and scalable. Ethanol is recoverable and reusable over multiple cycles, making the process cost-effective and easily scalable, with a solid ROI.
CO2 Extraction Equipment
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) is another popular solvent that is used for cannabinoid and terpene extraction. CO2 extraction requires pressurized CO2 (used as a solvent) to pull the cannabinoids from cannabis and hemp. CO2 results in pure cannabinoid isolates and is considered very safe.
CO2 as a solvent isn’t volatile and leaves no trace residue, which is why it’s so commonly used in food processing and to produce essential oils. This is critical for THC and CBD medicinal products, which may be used by people with compromised immune systems.
CO2 is also an excellent option for extracting fragile plant terpenes for high-quality distillates that maintain the flavor profiles of the original plant. This can be important for vape products and other full-spectrum products that are popular with cannabis enthusiasts.
What type of CO2 extraction equipment should you invest in? That depends on the initial size of your operation, your budget, your available space, and the end products you’ll be creating. Fortunately, with CO2 processing, you can start with a smaller operation and scale as your sales grow.
Hydrocarbon Extraction Equipment
If the product you’ll be manufacturing is a cannabis connoisseur product like strain-specific live resins or shatter, hydrocarbon extraction is a stellar choice. The use of hydrocarbons (propane, butane, or hexene) helps maintain each strains’ authentic flavors, which are made up of a combination of cannabis flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids. Today’s cannabis consumer is very interested in flavors and full-spectrum products, making hydrocarbon extraction increasingly popular.
Hydrocarbon extraction equipment is typically less expensive than CO2 and ethanol extraction equipment. This makes hydrocarbon extraction an ideal choice for startups and those looking to create small-batch derivatives. A skilled laboratory technician can attain up to a 90% concentration of cannabinoids with very high purity and adjust butane and propane to produce a range of specific salable products.
Both hydrocarbon and CO2 extraction use closed-loop extractors, so the system is completely sealed. The solvent is reclaimed and reused.
Solventless Extraction Equipment
Solventless extraction equipment mechanically separates the cannabinoid-rich trichomes from the plant biomass. This separation removes the trichomes from the cannabis plant biomass using water and/or ice and vigorous agitation. The trichomes are then filtered from the biomass and the water and used to create a high-quality hash product.
bho closed loop system,closed loop extraction system,bho extraction equipment, How to Choose an Equipment Type
If you’re a relative newcomer to the cannabis processing industry or even a seasoned cannabis business owner, making an extraction equipment selection doesn’t have to be complicated. The best piece of advice we can give is to make sure you get very clear on the type of product(s) you are going to make. The finished goods product you will be making will determine everything else from extraction type, to equipment type to even your lab specs.
Safety Considerations
There are risks associated with running a cannabis extraction lab, though ensuring your equipment is certified, and compliant can help mitigate those risks. Closed Loop Extractor,closed loop system bho Double-check that any equipment you’re considering meets industry standards and is certified by the appropriate governing bodies BEFORE you purchase it.
This list of extraction lab equipment certifications should include:
C1D1 compliance, where applicable
ASME certification
ISO 9001:2015 for extraction equipment
CE marked (or pending) for European Economic Area (EEA)
UL listed components
PSI (Pressure Safety Inspectors) certified in 50 states
UL certified to ANSI/CAN/UL/ULC 1389
Facilities and Licensing
The facilities and licensing requirements for your extraction operation will depend on your local regulations, and the type of product(s) you are ultimately looking to create. When considering purchasing cannabis extraction equipment, your supplier should be fully aware of the required facilities and licensing for processing operations in your location specific to your finished product. A strong equipment partner will ensure that you have the information you need and collaborate with you to ensure building inspections and zoning approvals go smoothly.

Extraction Equipment Safety
How safe is cannabis extraction equipment? When proper safety measures are taken, cannabis extraction operations are very safe. However, the solvents that are used must be appropriately handled and stored. Your local regulators will be able to inform you of their limits on solvent storage. Following those regulations helps ensure your team’s safety and helps them achieve the product throughputs necessary for your operation’s profitability.
Homepage: https://www.quora.com/How-do-closed-loop-extractors-work/answer/Vincen-Su?prompt_topic_bio=1