Supercritical CO2 Extractor
extraktLAB’s supercritical CO2 extractor delivers the highest daily throughput of biomass processing in the industry, while also delivering the lowest processing costs of CO2 extracted output oil.
Why Supercritical CO2 Fluid Extraction?
Unlike other particular extraction solvents like hydrocarbons and ethanol, supercritical fluid extraction solvents like CO2 have higher extraction yields, increased solvation selectivity, improved fractionation and diffusion capabilities, and drastically reduced carbon emissions.
What’s more, CO2 used in supercritical fluid extraction has nearly zero possibilities for chemical denaturant contamination as found in various ethanol extracts. For these reasons, it is the ideal solvent used in this industry.
The Most Efficient Supercritical CO2 Extractor For Sale
When it comes to profitability, extraktLAB creates the most advanced and efficient CO2 extractors for sale in the hemp botanical oils market. For example, extraktLAB’s most popular equipment, the e-140, is capable of an impressive 422 lbs/day processing throughput all while occupying just 24 sq ft.
Depending on the facility in which you are operating, you can easily scale up with the e-180, with a staggering 844 lbs/day throughput in just 48 sq ft, or start small with the e-110 at 79 lbs/day in 24 sq ft.
Extractors from extraktLAB is built with automated process control, programmable methods, automated extraction cycles, maintenance tracking and data reporting to streamline production in a concise, powerful, intuitive extractor. Each of these machines are built with GMP compliance in mind using FDA approved materials, batch, operator and parameter tracking and internal certifications all housed in FDA approved ASME 304 and 316 structural grade stainless steel.
Highest throughput systems on the market
- The extraktLAB e-180 is the fastest, most advanced and most powerful supercritical CO2 extractor on the market today.
- It can process 844 lbs of biomass per day!
- Designed to provide high yield in a short period of time while staying GMP compliant.
- Variety of extraction methods.
Can CO2 be Used to Extract other Botanicals?
It has been historically used to extract many different kinds of biomass. A common industrial application is for deacaffeinating a well-known java beverage; a cup of Joe!
It can also be used in the extraction of supplements, essential oils, hops and countless other applications.
Purity of the CO2 used in CO2 extraction
There are many grades of CO2 including industrial, food grade and medical grade. At extraktLAB, we typically use food grade CO2, but medical grade is also highly desirable. the specifications for each of these grades are published by the Compressed Gas Association or by your gas supplier.
Smallest Footprint CO2 Extractors
Size matters… at least when it comes to your equipment! We know that floor space is vitally important in determining what you can and can’t do. Our e-140 CO2 extractor is our most popular machine as it fits most facilities while providing impressive throughput.
There are situations when space is limited and every inch counts which is why our e-110 equipment is perfect when you don’t have a lot of space to work with.
- E-110 Size: Footprint: 24 sq ft
- Shipping Weight: 3,000 lbs
- Dimentions (without light mast): H 72″ x L 99″ x W 34″
Supercritical CO2 Extraction Equipment
We have the perfect machine for small, medium and large producers. Our model line makes it easy for you to scale your operations while keeping your operating costs at a minimum.
110L ScCO2 Extractor
For smaller producers or research labs needing a small footprint.
140L ScCO2 Extractor
For mid-size producers who want the option to scale up capacity.
180L ScCO2 Extractor
For larger producers who want to scale up capacity.
Low Operating Costs Supercritical CO2 Extractor
Our Supercritical CO2 extractors are so easy to use we’ve seen one operator running NINE MACHINES at the same time!
Hemp Laboratory
Not everyone can do it, but with the right setup and additional equipment, you can completely optimize the time consuming process. Through our Turnkey Manufacturing Solutions we take all of the guesswork out of it, so don’t worry. Depending on your needs this can include:
- Facility layout and laboratory process design
- Solution configurations for phased growth
- All processing equipment and extraction process, including 3rd-party laboratory tested products matched for quality and capacity
- Documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all processing steps
- Extraction Equipment installation and training of your labor force
- Manufacturing line commissioning to verify oil output quality
- GMP compliance support
- And more…
Unlimited Scalability with Supercritical CO2 Extractors
As long as you have space for another one of our extractors you can keep scaling! Our product platform provides unlimited scalability to any capacity size, and in any increment for the highest flexibility and return on capital.
Read Other Publications
Calculate Your Hemp and Botanical Extraction Business Operating Cost
Starting a Botanical Extraction Business? Check out our Calculators and to analyze costs, estimated revenue, yield, initial investments and important metrics for your extraction business.
Ethanol vs CO2
What is the best extraction systems for your business? There are many considerations including costs, capacity and potency.
Read Extraction Method Publications
Labor Difference Between Extraction with Ethanol vs. CO2 Extraction?
The direct labor between the two techniques is essentially the same. However different configurations of equipment and different workflows can improve labor content and headcount. The concept of value-added Labor in this instance is very important.
Value added labor is the labor content that is spent by the laborer on Direct conversion of the product into something the customer values. In reality, most operations have very low value-added labor in a very high overhead component to direct labor. We suggest the use of lean techniques and value stream mapping to:
- Improve workflow;
- Reduce inventory; and
- Reduce the headcount required to produce a unit
The Science Behind Supercritical CO2 Extractors
Supercritical CO2 extractors use carbon dioxide (CO2) at an elevated temperature and pressure to extract soluble compounds from natural products. Carbon dioxide above the critical temperature (31ºC) and pressure (1071 psi) becomes a supercritical fluid, which has an increased capacity for diffusion of molecules and solubilizing non-polar compounds. Raising the temperature and pressure of the liquid CO2 even further provides highly efficient extractions of oils in a short period of time.
The (ScCO2) extraction has become the preferred method for extracting CBD oils and other botanical extracts to serve markets with the most demanding standards for safety, quality, purity and consistency. It is also preferred by consumers for the same reasons, and progressive brands are boldly stating “ScCO2 extraction” on package labels.
Need a Checklist?
Here’s a startup specifications checklist to aid in your facility search. It contains additional items you should add to the list in this article.
What Are Full Spectrum Extracts?
Full spectrum products are extract based products that have, as the name implies, a full spectrum of plant materials including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and more. While the oil is still refined into a distillate, the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, including the legally allotted amount of THC, is left in the product.
In order to keep a full spectrum product, the only things that are remediated from the extract are fats, waxes, plant chlorophylls, residual solvent and excess delta 9 THC in order to comply with regulations. This makes a pure and safe product while leaving the potential of The Entourage Effect intact.
As mentioned before, The Entourage Effect comes as a benefit from the combination of the various cannabinoids and terpenes that are in a full spectrum product. This range of plant compounds also gives a pleasant, earthy flavor and aroma. These are both desirable traits of extract derivative products that full spectrum can provide making it a highly sought after market opportunity.
Despite the fact that there is THC in a full spectrum product, there is little cause for concern for those who want to avoid the psychoactive effects of this particular cannabinoid. The legally allowed limit set by the FDA is 0.3% or less delta 9 THC in a final product making the psychoactive effects non-existent. That said, this lesser amount still plays a role in The Entourage Effect and is beneficial to a final product. The one thing to keep in mind is that the trace amounts of this cannabinoid could potentially cause a positive drug test.
Unlike isolating individual cannabinoids, the process for making full spectrum products is not as rigorous. Because the majority of the plant components are intentionally left in the product, the process of distillation is the final stop before product formulation. There is no need for adding terpenes, or any other plant compounds because of the natural formulation. This makes for a product that is made easily and is highly profitable on the market.
It’s important to know what the entourage effect is, because this chemical phenomenon will occur inside your body if you consume full spectrum CBD. As mentioned, full spectrum CBD contains a variety of cannabinoids, and it retains other plant compounds, including terpenes like caryophyllene, humulene, limonene, myrcene, pinene. They will also contain an abundance of flavonoids. These phytonutrients possess antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits. When these chemicals react with one another, it increases the beneficial effects of CBD.
Terpene Extraction
Terpenes have become nearly as important as the cannabinoids they accompany full spectrum products. Not only are they important to add flavor and aroma to a product, they have a number of beneficial effects on their own, and contribute to The Entourage Effect. So, we should discuss the best method to extract and collect terpenes for wholesale and product formulations.
Terpenes Have a Tendency to Degrade
The first important factor to consider when it comes to terpene extraction is that they are highly reactive and can be lost or damaged easily with little heat. While some processors will attempt terpene recovery during the extraction process, the possibility of terpene degradation is higher with certain extraction methods. This can cause a less than desirable taste and aroma to an extract when performed improperly.
How to Prevent Terpene Degradation
In order to prevent terpene degradation, there is a recommended terpene extraction method that we use. During decarboxylation, the ground hemp biomass is subjected to temperatures and pressures just high enough to allow for the conversion of the acidic cannabinoids into their active forms (CBD-A to CBD for example). During this time is one of the best times to capture terpenes.
Because the temperature needed to perform decarboxylation is less than what is performed during extraction, it can be used to collect terpenes without degrading them. This is done by adding a cold trap condenser to the vacuum oven. As the terpenes evaporate, the chilled condenser will collect them. From there, they can be reformulated into the extract down the line, or sold wholesale as a pure, organic terpene product.
Capturing terpenes in this way prevents any other compounds like cannabinoids to be co-distilled into the solution which could otherwise ruin a product that intends to have no other cannabinoids than the target cannabinoid. This is especially true if delta 9 THC is necessary to avoid.
This method also means that the cannabinoids are more soluble making the extraction process more efficient. Because 90-100% of cannabinoids are converted during this process, it is unnecessary to increase run time to ensure decarboxylation happens during extraction. So, not only is this the ideal time to capture terpenes, it is beneficial overall to the extraction process.
The Entourage Effect
There has been a wide range of research to study the benefits of the various compounds found inside the hemp plant other than just cannabinoids. The combination of these plant compounds has resulted in an effect that occurs called The Entourage Effect.
The Entourage Effect is an interesting study that shows a synergistic effect between cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds found in hemp extract based products. Compared to the use of isolated cannabinoids, products that contained multiple cannabinoids and terpenes tended to have increased effects when used together as oppose to separately.
The Entourage Effect also indicates the beneficial properties of terpenes on their own. Not only do terpenes contribute to the smells and flavors of hemp and cannabis products, they tend to have their own physiological effects as well. For example, limonene has shown to have mood altering effects that may improve mood, and can be used for antibacterial and antifungal purposes.
Keeping in mind that both terpenes and cannabinoids have their own individual uses, the studies surrounding The Entourage Effect have shown those effects combined enhance each other. This has increased the market demand for products that have a good terpene and cannabinoid profile to benefit from the potentials of The Entourage Effect.
All this research goes to show that, while products with isolated cannabinoids are beneficial for some, products created with a spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes benefit from The Entourage Effect, making them more beneficial for consumers, and highly profitable for producers. These products are often referred to as Full Spectrum.
Great customer service and ease of tech support, within minutes I can get tech support. I would highly recommend extraktLAB equipment to anyone….
– Leslie –
The product functionality was defined clearly and the comparison with similar products was a key highlight.
– Paul –
I’ve seen many solutions to the extraction problems faced by CO2 specific extraction businesses today. extraktLAB has a complete and self contained solution to these problems.
– Chris –
Because you come highly recommended by an industry professional and my customer experience so far has not been disappointing.
– Boone –
