CONTINUOUS EXTRACTOR, CONCENTRATOR AND DRYER

摘要

Continuous extraction units are constructed having a plurality of extraction chambers containing extractable material. Without disruption of total fluid flow in the unit: an extraction chamber completely depleted of extract can be evacuated of solvent and replaced with an extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. All solvent can be retained within the unit. One or more compressors can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers, the expansion chamber, and a condenser, where the expansion chamber and the condenser can be coupled as a heat exchanger.

主权项

1. A continuous extraction unit, comprising:
a plurality of extraction chambers, wherein each of the extraction chambers comprises one or more valves or other means to direct a fluid flow, and wherein the extraction chamber contains extractable material for extraction of a solute by a solvent when under fluid flow; at least one expansion chamber comprising a solution inlet, that allows a pressure drop across the solution inlet that promotes formation of a vaporized solvent from the solution and areolation, coalesce, and consolidation of the solute as a liquid or concentrated solution extract; at least one condenser, wherein the vaporized solvent is condensed to a liquid; at least one compressor, liquid pump or other means of the fluid flow positioned downstream of the condenser and upstream of the extraction chambers, and expansion chambers; and at least one pump, valve or other means for continuously or periodically removing the extract without disruption of the fluid flow, wherein removing one of said plurality of extraction chambers when the extractable material has been freed of all solute and replacing the removed extraction chamber with an equivalent extraction chamber with fresh extractable material without disruption of fluid flow through at least one of the extraction chambers, and wherein the solvent is retained within the unit.