Extracting CBD: CO2 vs. Ethanol Extraction
CBD is a cannabinoid that is a chemical compound typically found in hemp and cannabis. Extracting this cannabinoid can be done in several different ways. Using CO2 to extract CBD oil is one of the most popular mechanisms used. Supercritical and subcritical are the two types of CO2 extraction.
Our fully automated extraction systems use carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent to extract oil from botanical plant material because it yields safer, cleaner, and purer oil. The CO2 removes the oil as it passes through the plant, leaving it intact.
Another common method for the extraction of CBD from hemp fiber is using ethanol extraction. The two types of ethanol processing of cannabis extraction are cold temperature extraction and room temperature extraction. These processes lead to the distillation of CBD and it turns into a heavily refined liquid form that has a honey-like consistency.
CO2 and ethanol extraction processes are similar because they both require the input of the plant material into an extraction machine. Also, the end-products of both processes require testing from independent labs to guarantee that THC levels comply with industry guidelines and regulations. It’s important to note that regularly maintaining CO2 and ethanol extraction systems is essential to ensure the cleanliness of the extraction and overall preservation of the extraction machine.
CBD Extraction Machine Cost
Costs for CO2 and ethanol extraction processes vary depending on the type of automation and how large the scale of operation is. Each CBD extraction method requires a different amount of space to house the extraction equipment. Proper disposal of the byproduct is an extra cost that varies depending on the extraction process you choose.
Both CO2 and ethanol extractions from cannabis create changes throughout different phases that use temperature and pressure. The cost of making distillate varies depending on how much equipment you have and how much CBD you are distilling.
The 20Lx20LDU Duplex® CO2 system
Efficient Cannabis Processing Equipment
At Prospiant, we developed The Fleet® platform, which allows customers to expand as the market demands it. The Fleet® uses a single outdoor chiller that services three systems inside the facility. The systems can be Duplex’s®, Force® systems, or a combination of both.
The Fleet® can start with one system but the infrastructure is in place for expansion up to three systems. This efficient and intelligent method allows companies to customize their facility, in preparation for growth at a later stage. Each unit of the machine can be serviced individually which makes it easier to replace and prevents downtime.
We were the first to CO2 extraction systems designed for cannabis and continue to lead the industry through the advancement of cutting-edge technologies. We offer no-hassle, fully automated, self-managing extraction and processing equipment that allows businesses to expand into the future.
The Fleet® platform from Prospiant