Solvent extraction apparatuses and methods

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for the solvent extraction of a substance from a material. The disclosed systems include multiple tanks and an extraction column in communication with the tanks.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of extracting compounds from compound-bearing plant material, the method comprising:
 cooling, to at least 35 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, a solvent mixture that comprises at least butane and a co-solvent, thereby providing a cooled liquid solvent mixture;   transporting the cooled liquid solvent mixture from a first tank of an extraction system to an extraction column of the extraction system via a solvent line arranged between the first tank, which holds the cooled liquid solvent mixture, and the extraction column, which holds the compound-bearing plant material and is arranged downstream of the first tank;   soaking the compound-bearing plant material in the cooled liquid solvent mixture, thereby producing a solvent-extracted compound mixture; and   transporting the solvent-extracted compound mixture from the extraction column to a collector of the extraction system.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  with the solvent mixture comprising at least one of N-Butane, Isobutane, and propane. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  with the solvent mixture comprising N-Butane and at least the co-solvent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  with the solvent mixture comprising N-Butane and Isobutane. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  with the solvent mixture comprising N-Butane and propane. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  with the solvent mixture comprising Isobutane and propane. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  with the solvent mixture comprising N-Butane, Isobutane, and propane. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  with the collector being a collection tank. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  with the transporting the cooled liquid solvent mixture step comprising fluidly coupling a pressure source to the first tank, the pressure source providing a pressurized gas for transporting the cooled liquid solvent mixture from the first tank to the extraction column. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  with the pressure source being a compressor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  with the cooling step comprising cooling, to a subfreezing temperature, the solvent mixture that comprises at least the butane and the co-solvent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  with the cooling step comprising transporting a cooling liquid from a reservoir to a jacket that is thermally coupled to the first tank. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  with the cooling step comprising circulating a cooling liquid from a reservoir to a jacket that is thermally coupled to the first tank. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  with the transporting the cooled liquid solvent mixture step comprising establishing a vacuum downstream of the first tank. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  with the transporting the cooled liquid solvent mixture step comprising establishing a vacuum in at least the extraction column. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  with the transporting the cooled liquid solvent mixture step comprising establishing a vacuum in at least the collector and the extraction column. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  with the cooling step occurring before and/or after a mixing of the butane and at least the co-solvent and/or while the butane and at least the co-solvent is mixed.