Closed loop extraction system

Abstract

A closed loop extraction system for extracting desired components from raw plant matter and method of use is disclosed. The closed loop extraction system features a solvent source, a chill tank, a wash tank, a rinse tank, a centrifuge, and a feed tank all in fluid communication via a series of interconnected pump systems. The method of extracting the desired products from raw plant matter uses this system to perform the extraction with a reduced amount of solvent in an energy-efficient manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closed loop extraction system, comprising:
 a chill tank;   a wash tank;   a rinse tank;   a centrifuge;   a feed tank; and   a plurality of pumps connecting between components of the closed loop extraction system and configured to pump a fluid between any of the chill tank, the wash tank, the rinse tank, the centrifuge, and the feed tank.   
     
     
         2 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the chill tank is connected to the wash tank and the rinse tank, the wash tank is connected to the chill tank, the centrifuge, and the feed tank, and the rinse tank is connected to the chill tank and the centrifuge. 
     
     
         3 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the feed tank is configured to receive a solvent containing a predetermined concentration of an extract. 
     
     
         4 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pumps includes a chill pump configured to pump the fluid from the chill tank to the wash tank or the rinse tank. 
     
     
         5 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pumps includes a wash pump configured to pump the fluid from the wash tank or rinse tank to the centrifuge. 
     
     
         6 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pumps includes a centrifuge pump configured to pump the fluid from the centrifuge to the wash tank or the rinse tank. 
     
     
         7 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pumps includes a feed pump configured to pump the fluid from the wash tank to the feed tank. 
     
     
         8 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of pumps includes one or more valves each configured to reversibly restrict fluid flow between a source and a destination. 
     
     
         9 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the chill tank is configured to chill the fluid within. 
     
     
         10 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the centrifuge is configured to accept a solvent and extraction material and to agitate the solvent and extraction material to separate the extraction material from the solvent. 
     
     
         11 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 10 , wherein the centrifuge is configured to agitate the solvent and extraction material after a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
         12 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 10 , wherein the solvent separated from the extraction material contains an extract of the extraction material. 
     
     
         13 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the rinse tank is configured to supply a solvent to the centrifuge. 
     
     
         14 . The closed loop extraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the wash tank is configured to accept a solvent containing extract from the centrifuge.