Ylikriittinen nesteuutto parannettu tehon ultraäänellä

Ultrasonic extraction alone or in combination with alternative extraction methods such as solvent extraction or supercritical CO₂ extractors is successfully used to extract the full spectrum of cannabinoids from the cannabis plant (hemp and marijuana). In marijuana, the main cannabinoid constituent is Δ9-tetrahydro-cannabinol (Δ9-THC) with its well-known psychotropic effects. Other important cannabinoids with less or no psychotropic activity can be found in both, hemp and marijuana, and include cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabicyclol (CBL), along with other C19 associated homologs.

Ultrasonically Improved Supercritical CO₂ Uuttaminen

The combination of high-power ultrasound and supercritical fluid extractors (SFE) is highly efficient and clean method to accelerate and improve mass transfer processes. Mass transfer between raw material (e.g., botanicals such as leaves, flowers, buds etc.) and the solvent (e.g., supercritical CO₂) is the limiting factor during extraction processes. Due to the limited mass transfer, the extraction efficiency is reduced. To compensate for the lacking efficiency, either extraction time must be incresed or extraction yield has to be sacrificed.
High-power ultrasonication is a well-proven technology to intensify slow reactions by improving mass transfer between to phases. By intense vibrations, shear forces, and agitating turbulences, power ultrasound exposes the extraction raw material at a significantly increased rate to the solvent. This results in superior extraction yields and a reduced extraction time. Ultrasonication enhances the extraction efficiency of any type of supercritical fluid extractor:

• by increasing yield
• by shortening the extraction time
• by reducing the required pressure
• by improving overall production capacity

Ultrasonic enhancement of mass transfer in supercritical CO2 extraction processes can be easily realized by implementing a high-performance ultrasonic probe such as a Cascatrode into the supercritical fluid extractor. Hielscher Ultrasonics probes (also known as ultrasonic horns, sonotrodes) can be connected via standard flange sealing and are compatible for swedge lock connectors. This makes installation and operation simple and safe. As all Hielscher ultrasonicators known for their robustness and continuous performance, an once installed system is of low maintenance.

Ultrasonic extractor implemented into a supercritical CO2 system to improve mass transfer. This increases extraction yield and reduces extraction time and temperature.
figure and study: Hu et al. 2007

Case Study for Ultrasonically Enhanced Supercritical CO₂ Uuttaminen

Ginger Extraction: Balachandran et al. (2006) investigated the efficiency of ultrasonically assisted supercritical CO2 extraction using the Hielscher ultraäänilaite UIP500hdT. They studied the influence of ultrasound on supercritical extraction using freeze-dried ginger. “The yield of pungent compounds from ginger is significantly increased under the influence of ultrasound, with improvements of up to 30% towards the end of the extraction period.” (Balachandran et al. 2006)
Read more about ultrasonic ginger extraction!