{"id":78,"date":"2018-03-21T19:40:46","date_gmt":"2018-03-21T19:40:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/medxtractor.com\/?page_id=78"},"modified":"2020-12-12T15:20:15","modified_gmt":"2020-12-12T22:20:15","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medxtractor.com\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Questions & Answers<\/span><\/h2>

Frequently Asked Questions<\/p><\/div> <\/div>

\nWhat can I use it for?
\nCO2-based extracts and concentrates do not carry residual solvents and they do not suffer the thermal degradation associated with traditional methods. CO2 can extract essential oils and concentrates from a large assortment of biomass. Applications include:\n

   
\n<\/span>Flavours & Aromas<\/span> \u2013 low temperature CO2 extraction preserves the flavours and scents and produces extracts and concentrates that are true to the plant. Conversely, steam distillation uses heated water to extract these properties at a high temperature, a process that degrades the flavours and scents. Biomass such as frankincense, jasmine, agarwood, cinnamon, lavender, rose, chamomile, ginger.\n

\n<\/span>
\nResveratrol<\/span> \u2013 tends to be concentrated mostly in the skins and seeds of grapes and berries. These parts of the grape are included in the fermentation of red wine, hence its particularly high concentration of resveratrol. It is a compound found in grape skins that has potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It may help lower blood pressure, ease joint pain, and shows promise in protecting brain cells from damage.\n

\n   
\n<\/span>Homeopathic extracts<\/span> \u2013 often relied upon for anti-inflammatory effect, these can also be anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic and act as a digestive aid. Biomass feedstock can be caraway, pomegranate, turmeric, cardamom, and many more.<\/span>
\n
How does it work?<\/span>
\nOur extractors use an elegant patented process employing heat differentials to control the extraction process. This eliminates the need for expensive mechanical pumps and specialized infrastructure. This results in a price a craft grower can easily afford.  

\nWhat is the extractor capacity?<\/span>\n
The extractors are specified for 3, 8 or 21 ounces of properly-prepared raw material. Many operators are over-loading by up to 40% with great results meaning the 21oz model can process up to 60lbs per month, the 8oz can process up to 20lbs per month, and the 3oz can process up to 8lbs per month (the specified capacities can be doubled if using post-pressed rosin chips \u2013 see below). Using multiple extractors can inexpensively increase capacity.\n

What pressure does it use?<\/span>
\nThe factory settings will generate pressure between 900-1200psi. Many operators increase the CO2 supply weight and\/or heat to operate between 1200-1400psi. Pressure is dependant on the amount of heat applied to available CO2 density.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>

\"\"<\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>

CO2 vs. Rosin?
\nRosin leaves significant essential oil in the post-pressed chips. How do we know this? Because one of our customers put a load of post-single-pressed chips into his extractor and extracted a LOT of oil \u2013 see the picture above. Even if you are rosin-dedicated, you can use our CO2 extractors to maximize the yield from your post-pressed chips!<\/span>

What is the \u201cyield\u201d?
\nYield-by-weight and yield-by-target-compound are not the same thing. Once most the target compounds have been extracted, if the raw material is subjected to additional runs more extract may accumulate in the collector \u2013 but there may not be much target compound in it because most of the target compounds have already been extracted. After the target compounds are extracted, the CO2 (or any solvent for that matter) will continue to dissolve compatible non-target compounds, and while these compounds may increase the yield-by-weight, they do not increase the yield-by-target-compound. Actually, adding non-target extract to target extract simply dilutes the target compound content in the overall mix.\n\n

\n<\/span>What are the three most common issues when running an extraction?\n
1. Improper preparation of the raw material<\/span> \u2013 the material MUST be properly prepared prior to extraction. This involves correct decarbing, grinding and packing. A preparation document is included with every purchase and MUST be followed or efficiency will suffer;\n\n
 
\n<\/span>2. Lack of liquid CO2<\/span> \u2013 partially\u2013filled supply tanks will yield poor results. Recommendations in the operating manual MUST be followed or efficiency will suffer;  

\n\n<\/span>3. Low-quality raw material<\/span> \u2013 these extractors can extract very high percentages of the available oil \u2013 but they cannot extract what is not there. Low-quality feedstock = low volumes of oil and high quality feedstock = high volumes of oil.<\/span>

What is the yield of CO2 vs. other solvents?
\nGenerally speaking the yield-by-active-compounds of CO2 is similar to other solvents such as butane or ethanol. HOWEVER, because the CO2 doesn\u2019t extract as many non-active compounds, the yield-by-weight by CO2 will usually be significantly less.\n<\/span>\n

How much extract can I expect to get?
\nAssuming fully-dry, fully-decarbed, properly ground, high-quality raw material, and proper extraction process, tests have delivered between 8-12% yield-by-weight from a 50-50 mix of quality flower and trim. Trim alone can yield 5-7% by weight (depending on the quality of the trim) and flower can yield 10-14%. These yields-by-weight are less than other extraction solvents because CO2 extracts contain less undesirable compounds. Because there are less target compounds to extract as the extraction process proceeds, the amount of extract-per-unit-of-CO2 will decline as the process continues.<\/span>

Extractions are affected by:<\/span>
\na) humidity<\/span> \u2013 moisture will reduce the amount of extract and may make the extract \u201cgreenish\u201d in colour as the moisture dissolves chlorophyll. Very dry raw material is best (see \u201cdecarbing\u201d below);
\nb) grind<\/span> \u2013 if the material is very \u201coily\u201d and the grind is too fine, the raw material may \u201ccake\u201d under pressure, obstructing CO2 contact and transport. On the other hand, if the grind is too coarse, the extractor will not hold much raw material. Because the raw material may consist of various different parts of the plant, experimentation is required;
\nc) plant section<\/span> \u2013 due to genetics, all parts of the same plant will yield the same \u201cquality\u201d of extract. However, the \u201cquantity\u201d will vary significantly by section;
\nd) decarboxylation (\u201cdecarbing\u201d)<\/span> \u2013 a carboxl group in a molecule will decrease that molecule\u2019s solubility in CO2. Removing the carboxyl group by applying heat will increase the solubility and result in higher yield per Cycle. Generally speaking, raw material heated to 240F for 50 minutes will be satisfactory. Decarbing also helps to fully dry the raw material. There are many articles about decarbing on the Internet.

How long does an extraction take?<\/span>
\nA typical 3oz extraction would probably take 4-5 hours but your attention is only needed for approx. 30 minutes during that period. A 21oz extraction can take 8-12hrs.
\n\n
Do I have to monitor the extractor when it\u2019s operating?<\/span>
\nOnce the extraction has started, the operator can leave the extractor unattended until swapping the CO2 tanks. Swaps can occur in as little as 2 hours (21oz) and 3 hours (3oz). The extractors can be left for as long as the operator wants between tank swaps.
\n
How much CO2 is recaptured?<\/span>\n
Expect to recapture ~90% of the CO2.\n<\/span>

Is it closed-loop?<\/span>
\nUsing an innovative approach the system is effectively \u201cclosed-loop\u201d in that the vast majotity of the CO2 is recaptured and recycled.
\n\n
How long have these extractors been in the market?<\/span>
\nThe first versions were introduced in 2015 and there are versions installed in multiple countries worldwide. There have been four major revisions and the current highly-developed extractors are the result of years of extensive field-testing.

How can I lighten the oil colour?<\/span>
\nCO2 extracts can be reddish-blonde and may be darker depending on how the extraction was run. If you want to change the colour\/clarity, take a look at this site: https:\/\/extractcrafter.com\/2018\/09\/22\/polishing-dark-extracts-carbon-scrubbing-diatomaceous-earth-de-filtering\/<\/a>

Is there an operating manual and training?<\/span>\n
Yes, a detailed Operating Manual is provided. Email\/telephone support is free for 90 days.

Can I return it?<\/span>\n
If you are in Canada, yes (subject to certain terms & conditions). If you are outside of Canada, No.\n<\/p>Please see our Return Policy<\/a> <\/div> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Questions & Answers Frequently Asked Questions What can I use it for? CO2-based extracts and concentrates do not carry residual solvents and they do not suffer the thermal degradation associated with traditional methods. CO2 can extract essential oils and concentrates from a large assortment of biomass. Applications include:     Flavours & Aromas \u2013 low…
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