Extremely fast alcohol-based solvent chiller

Abstract

An alcohol-based solvent chiller includes an insulated vessel; a spiral-shaped heat exchanger designed specifically to chill alcohol-based solvents that become viscous at low temperatures within the insulated vessel; a cryogenic tank with pressure building capability that will force coolant through the heat exchanger at a specific pressure; and a cryogenic pump to circulate viscous cryogenic temperature liquids within the insulated vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An alcohol-based solvent chiller, comprising:
 an insulated vessel;   a heat exchanger specifically designed to chill liquids that become viscous with decreasing temperature within the insulated vessel;   a cryogenic tank with pressure building capability that will force coolant through the heat exchanger at a specific pressure; and   a cryogenic pump to circulate viscous liquids within the insulated vessel to chill alcohol-based solvents during product extraction from cannabis.   
     
     
         2 . The chiller of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is of specific design that reduces the ability of alcohol-based solvents to congeal and be shielded from fluid flow, including but not limited to a spiral design. 
     
     
         3 . The chiller of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises smooth tubing, finned tubing, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The chiller of  claim 1 , wherein the coolant comprises a liquid Nitrogen coolant or a cryogenic fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The chiller of  claim 4 , comprising a high-flow type solenoid valve to control a flow of liquid Nitrogen. 
     
     
         6 . The chiller of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure of the coolant flowing through the heat exchanger is in the range 22 to 200 psi. 
     
     
         7 . The chiller of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated vessel is separated from the outside environment by insulation. 
     
     
         8 . The chiller of  claim 7 , wherein the insulation is comprised of foam, vacuum, Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs), or any combination therein. 
     
     
         9 . The chiller of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated vessel is separated from the outside environment by insulation of up to 6 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The chiller of  claim 1 , comprising a flow sensor that ensures liquid is flowing through the pump. 
     
     
         11 . The chiller of  claim 1 , comprising a controller coupled to a thermocouple and a fill gauge located within the insulated vessel, wherein the thermocouple measures temperature, the fill gauge measures the volume of liquid within the insulated vessel, and the controller controls the flow of coolant into the heat exchanger as well as the flow of liquid into and out of the insulated vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The chiller of  claim 1 , comprising cryogenic valves to control the flow of viscous liquids. 
     
     
         13 . A system, comprising:
 a liquid Nitrogen inlet capable of convenient attachment to a customer's liquid Nitrogen tank;   a cryogenic flow system that operates at a predetermined Nitrogen flow;   an insulated vessel that effectively thermally seals its interior from the outside environment, significantly reducing heat gain;   a heat exchanger within the insulated vessel;   a cryogenic pump to circulate liquid within the insulated vessel to increase convective cooling;   an electronic controller that maintains a setpoint for the insulated vessel, determined by the operator down to −90 degrees C.   
     
     
         14 . The chiller of  claim 11 , comprising an interactive Human-Machine Interface (HMI). 
     
     
         15 . The chiller of  claim 11 , wherein the liquid that flows out of the insulated vessel is used to extract extremely pure Cannabinoids at a higher yield rate from Cannabis. 
     
     
         16 . The chiller of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a liquid Nitrogen inlet capable of convenient attachment to a customer's liquid Nitrogen supply;   a cryogenic flow system that operates at a predetermined Nitrogen flow between 22 and 200 psi;   an insulated vessel containing a liquid;   a heat exchanger of a design to optimize heat transfer from the liquid within the insulated vessel by limiting locations where the liquid can congeal and be shielding from fluid flow;   a filling pump system that pumps from a customer's liquid storage into the insulated vessel;   a filling flow sensor that senses when liquid is being pumped by the filling pump system;   an outflow system that regulates whether the liquid is circulating back into the insulated vessel or being drained;   a draining pump system that pumps the liquid from the insulated vessel into the outflow system;   a draining flow sensor that senses when liquid is being pumped by the draining pump system;   a thermal box immediately outside the insulated vessel that effectively thermally seals the insulated vessel from the outside environment, significantly reducing heat gain;   an electronic controller that maintains a temperature setpoint for the insulated vessel, determined by the operator;   electronics and mechanics that controls the liquid temperature within the insulated vessel constantly; and   an electronic controller that maintains the influx and outflow of liquid, determined by the operator.   
     
     
         17 . A chiller, comprising:
 a liquid Nitrogen inlet capable of convenient attachment to a customer's liquid Nitrogen supply;   a cryogenic flow system that operates at a predetermined Nitrogen flow between 22 and 200 psi;   an insulated vessel containing a liquid;   a heat exchanger of a design to optimize heat transfer from the liquid within the insulated vessel by limiting locations where the liquid can congeal and be shielding from fluid flow;   a filling pump system that pumps from a customer's liquid storage into the insulated vessel;   a filling flow sensor that senses when liquid is being pumped by the filling pump system;   an outflow system that regulates whether the liquid is circulating back into the insulated vessel or being drained;   a draining pump system that pumps the liquid from the insulated vessel into the outflow system;   a draining flow sensor that senses when liquid is being pumped by the draining pump system;   a thermal box immediately outside the insulated vessel that effectively thermally seals the insulated vessel from the outside environment, significantly reducing heat gain;   an electronic controller that maintains a temperature setpoint for the insulated vessel, determined by the operator;   electronics and mechanics that controls the liquid temperature within the insulated vessel constantly;   an electronic controller that maintains the influx and outflow of liquid, determined by the operator.   
     
     
         18 . The chiller of  claim 17 , wherein the drained liquid is used to extract extremely pure Cannabinoids at a higher yield rate from Cannabis.