Extractor and concentrator

摘要

Extraction units are constructed having at least one extraction chamber containing extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. One or more means for fluid flow can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers and the expansion chamber, where the expansion chamber and a condenser or the output of the means for fluid flow are coupled as a heat exchanger.

主权项

1. An extraction unit, comprising:
at least one extraction chamber, wherein the extraction chamber allows containment of an extractable material for extraction by a solvent to form a solution when under a fluid flow; a means of providing a fluid flow comprising at least one pump, or at least one compressor; wherein the pump is a positive displacement pump or a diffusion pump, and wherein the means of providing a fluid flow comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and at least one heat exchanger comprising at least one expansion chamber directly contacting at least one condenser, at least one fluid output of the means of providing fluid flow, or a portion of the means of providing fluid flow, wherein the at least one expansion chamber is situated upstream of the means of providing a fluid flow and comprises at least one solution inlet comprising at least one expansion valve that allows a pressure drop that promotes vaporization of the solvent from the solution, wherein the at least one extraction chamber is situated upstream of at least one expansion chamber and downstream of the at least one condenser, at least one output of the at least one positive displacement pump, or the portion of the at least one diffusion pump, wherein the solvent in a vaporized state is condensed to a liquid within the condenser, within the means of providing fluid flow, or immediately before the means of providing fluid flow, and wherein heat is absorbed by the expansion chamber.