My Weekend Adventures P2: Processing
Hello again! Here is the second part of my adventure last weekend.
After spending some time working on the business plan well went down stairs to look at the processing. The only part i missed here was the initial solvent extraction. They use really cold IPA (isopropyl alcohol some call it iso) for the extraction. It is cooled with dry ice so that they limit the amount of chlorophyll that gets extracted. It is then filtered with a bag filter and squashed with wine press. I wish I could have watched this part but oh well.
The extract and solvent is then filtered again with a filter funnel and loaded into a rotovap (first picture at the top). This has always been one of my favorite pieces of equipment and takes me back to my organic chemist days. Bach then we had little 1 liter rotovaps, but this was a 10 liter and really fricken cool!
After all of the solvent is pulled off in the rotovap the remaining extract is transferred to a 2 necked round bottom fitted with a thermocouple from the heating mantle and a short path distillation column. The round bottom was placed in the heating mantle and then hooked up to vacuum.
After a bit of a wait the residual IPA began to distill off. It heated a bit more when the volatile terpene started to distill. I forget the temperatures but once the thermometer in the short path hit a certain temp the pale yellow distillate started to make its way down the column to the flask. This was the point at which he switched the flask to a clean one and began collecting product. It was a pale yellow but crystal clear.
From here it has terpenes added back in for flavor. Then the distillate is measured into cartridges. I was a really neat process and was interesting to see that it can be done in a basement. I truly cannot wait to see this in a lab scaled up!
There are a few other processing methods that I would like to see. I may have found another who would be will to let me observe thier process but we will see.
The ride home was nerve racking with my alternator deciding to randomly stop working. I made it home with my car battery flat lining, but dammit I made it.
And here are a couple doggy pics! Grower has cute puppers.
This is kita who loves to play fetch
This is remmy he's a sweet boy
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Awesome
all except for the iso... bleah. Nothing personal, I'm sensitive enough I can feel the damage to my throat and lung tissue. It builds up over time. (Read the MSDS on iso)
Ethanol? I'm all for that. :) Way cool process though, thanks for sharing!
Go Be Awesome!
It is tested for residual solvent afterward. Always comes back negative because the bit the rotovap doesn't pull off is distilled off in the first fraction. Proc always puts it through the lab before they package them off which has been actually pretty helpful in my area to see the different test methods used in the labs currently. We have a handful of labs down near detroit and lansing and getting a hold of CofAs usually reports test methods. For the most part gc headspace is the only one for residual solvent and alcohols are included in the method along with some really nasty stuff like chloroform.
Chemist tip though if the processor is using ethanol, IPA is also in there. IPA is used to denature ethanol and I highly doubt pure is used because that would be cost prohibitive like a couple hundred per gallon. That is also not sold to just anyone.
Thanks for the comment! I am looking forward to seeing the CO2 process and am trying to nudge proc in that direction lol.
I use organic, 200 proof alcohol, so no ipa. It's only a couple hundred for 5 gallons, so yes people are using it.
I'll have to talk to SamTheSkunkman about today's processes. The guy states he has yet to test an ipa extract and have it come back negative for ipa, even after multiple washes and rotovaps. He's been testing this stuff for decades and yes, he's kept up with the times on equipment and methods. lol
Is your lab testing to a govt/state standard of "Oh this is a safe level" or do they actually test for "there is zero.zerozerozero%" in this sample?
Anyway, I don't touch iso. Others don't have an issue with it but, over time, I always end up with a reaction to it.
That is interesting, and zerozerozero% is not a realistic thing even with the most robust method there is always a limit of detection, quantitation, etc. Results are typical ND for not detected which is usually below detection limit. Right now state licensing is just beginning and applications are being accepted dec 15th. The labs that are being used are iso 17025 certified which is better than any gov. License.
I am sorry that you have a reaction to IPA and I do agree that it is most likely some still left behind just not enough for limits to detect and I could see how that would build up for someone who is sensitive.
So with ethanol, is this sold through a chem vendor or at cannabis supply shops? I feel the need to explore this a little bit more. I have heard of it being used for winterizing after co2 extraction, and now I wonder why it's not used over IPA in solvent extraction. Is it still a price point or just a matter of preference?
I must say you have been informative and been pointing me down some interesting trails to explore. Thanks for calling me out on this one, now I must ask these questions of LOD/LOQ, and must admit am a bit ashamed for not questioning this before. This is one reason I am here 🤗thanks for the help!
lol I agree on the zerozero thing, yet you did understand what I meant. ;) Kudos.
Ethanol is significantly more expensive than iso. Organic 200 proof can be had from a variety of vendors. You can even order it off of Amazon. lol 5-Gallon 200 Proof, Organic Ethanol @ $510. That's close to $100/gallon. With vacuum+rotovap, it can go a long way.
Elite is expensive. You're looking to please the most discerning buyer, knowing everyone with less taste will eat it up. Hell of a carrot to chase. :D
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