Introduction
In the rapidly changing field of cannabis extraction, safety, efficiency, and product quality are essential. While traditional hydrocarbon extraction methods are effective, they carry significant safety risks due to the flammable nature of solvents like butane and propane. A new solution is non-flammable hydrocarbon extraction, which reduces these risks while maintaining product quality. PURE5™ Extraction is leading this innovative approach by utilizing R134a (tetrafluoroethane) to set new industry standards.
Understanding Hydrocarbon Plant Extraction
Traditional Methods and Their Challenges
Conventional hydrocarbon extraction methods use solvents like butane or propane to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant. While these methods are effective, they operate under high pressure and involve flammable substances, necessitating strict safety measures and specialized equipment. Associated risks include the potential for explosions, environmental harm, and residual solvent contamination in the final product. Additionally, these methods may not extract the full range of beneficial compounds—such as terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, sterols, and other nutrients—resulting in a lower overall quality and therapeutic potential of the extract.
The Need for Non-Flammable Alternatives
Embracing Safety and Sustainability
The cannabis industry is increasingly adopting non-flammable solvents to improve safety and promote environmental sustainability especially when the process needs to be performed in large volumes and shorter times. Non-flammable hydrocarbon extraction offers several advantages:
- Enhanced Safety: It eliminates the risk of fire and explosions that can occur with flammable solvents.
- Environmental Responsibility: This method reduces harmful emissions and minimizes environmental impact.
- Product Integrity: It preserves the natural profile of cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in higher-quality extracts.
- Energy Efficiency: Non-flammable extraction typically requires significantly less power, leading to substantial energy savings over time.
- Lower Operating Costs: These systems usually require only one operator and feature automated processes, which help reduce labor and maintenance costs..
Laboratory analyses confirm the efficiency of the R134a extraction process is better than 87%. In one PBX™ case study, hemp flower yielded 26.28% extract with expected 25.91% target actives level. The final distillate contained 80.10% THC, demonstrating high potency, and preserved significant terpene levels (limonene at 1.82% and β-myrcene at 0.09%).
Source: PURE5™ Laboratory Results.
PURE5™ Extraction’s Innovative Approach
Harnessing R134a for Superior Extraction
PURE5™ Extraction utilizes R134a, a non-flammable, non-toxic hydrocarbon solvent, to revolutionize cannabis extraction. This approach, known as Pure Botanical Extraction (PBX™), operates at low pressure and ambient temperatures, ensuring the preservation of delicate plant compounds.
Technical Specifications
- Operating Pressure: Approximately 7 bar, significantly lower than traditional methods.
- Temperature Range: Ambient temperatures (~20–25°C), eliminating the need for extreme heating or cooling.
- Extraction Time: Efficient processing with reduced cycle times.
- Solvent Recovery: High recovery rates exceeding 99%, promoting sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
The R134a extraction process involves several critical steps:
- Material Loading: Cannabis biomass is placed into the extraction vessel.
- Solvent Introduction: R134a gas is liquefied and introduced to dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Separation: The solvent carrying the extracts is converted back to gas, separating it from the oil.
- Solvent Recovery: R134a is recovered in a closed-loop system for reuse.
- Product Collection: The resulting extract is a pure, solvent-free, high-potency cannabis oil.
Source: PURE5™ High Yield Extraction Process.
Regulatory Compliance
PURE5™ Extraction adheres to stringent regulatory standards to ensure safety and quality:
- cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices): Ensures consistent production and quality control standards as per FDA guidelines.
- ISO Certifications: Aligns with international standards for quality management systems.
- FDA Approval: Utilizes R134a, which is FDA-approved and classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).
- Local Fire Safety Regulations: Complies with local laws and regulations related to solvent storage and fire codes.
- R134a is recognized by the FDA as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use in food and pharmaceutical applications. It is also approved for use as a solvent under EC Directive 2009/32 in the European Union. These certifications reinforce the safety and compliance of the extraction process with global standards.
Environmental Impact
PURE5™’s R134a extraction process is designed with environmental sustainability in mind:
- Energy Efficiency: R134a requires significantly less energy to compress compared to CO₂, reducing overall energy consumption.
- Carbon Footprint: The production of R134a results in approximately 15.9 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of R134a produced.
- Waste Reduction: The high solvent recovery rate minimizes waste, and the process eliminates the need for energy-intensive post-processing steps.
- R134a requires approximately 1000% less energy to compress than CO₂ under similar conditions, significantly enhancing energy efficiency.
Comparative Analysis
R134a vs. Traditional Extraction Methods
| Parameters | R134a Extraction | Butane/Propane Extraction | CO₂ Extraction | Ethanol Extraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flammability | Non-flammable | Highly flammable | Non-flammable | Flammable |
| Operating Pressure | Low (~100 psi) | High | Very High | Moderate |
| Temperature | Ambient (~20–25°C) | Elevated | Supercritical | Variable |
| Terpene Preservation | Excellent | Moderate | Good | Poor |
| Environmental Impact | Low | High | Moderate | High |
| Post-Processing Needs | Minimal | Extensive | Moderate | Extensive |
This comparison highlights R134a’s superior safety profile, efficiency, and environmental benefits over traditional extraction methods.
Applications and Product Offerings
PURE5™ Extraction Equipment
PURE5™ Extraction delivers a lineup of non-flammable, closed-loop systems engineered to fit every operation-from craft R&D to full-scale commercial production. Each HTE automated aerosol extractor model shares the same core advantages: low-pressure, ambient-temperature tetrafluoroethane extraction; built-in solvent recovery; and a compact footprint that simplifies facility planning and regulatory compliance. Available in 8 sizes—10 L, 20 L, 25 L, 50 L, 100 L, 200 L, 500 L, and 1000 L-PURE5™ systems plug directly into your business, no matter where you sit on the growth curve:
- 10 L–20 L: Perfect for dispensary R&D, pilot batches, and craft vape-oil brands testing new formulations.
- 50 L–200 L: Ideal for mid-scale vape shops, boutique tincture lines, and specialty cosmetics makers ramping up small production runs.
- 500 L–1 000 L: Built for high-volume processors, contract manufacturers, and pharmaceutical outfits requiring GMP-compliant throughput.
Why PURE5™ Delivers for Your Bottom Line
- One-Machine, One-Operator
Simple controls and automated cycles mean you don’t need a team of technicians—just a single operator to keep production moving. - Ultra-Low Energy & Operating Costs
R134a at ambient temperature uses 70–90% less power than CO₂ or ethanol systems, slashing your utility bills and maintenance spend. - On-Demand CRC Filtration
Real-time color, wax, pesticide, or THC/CBD tuning in a single pass—no third-party polishing, no extra steps. - Closed-Loop, Non-Flammable Design
Eliminates fire-code retrofits and minimizes solvent loss (>99% recovery), protecting both margins and compliance. - Compact Footprint, Rapid ROI
Food-grade stainless steel construction with advanced safety interlocks fits into tight facilities and accelerates audit approvals—get from install to first sale in weeks, not months.
Built from food-grade stainless steel with advanced safety interlocks and delivering over 99% solvent recovery, PURE5™ units produce high-quality, full-spectrum extracts while minimizing environmental impact, manpower, and ongoing costs-so whether you’re a CEO launching your next bestselling vape blend, a general manager scaling a boutique tincture line, or a pharma director building a compliant production wing, PURE5™ systems align capacity with your goals, maximize throughput, cut costs, and accelerate your path to market.
Real-World Applications and Testimonials
PURE5™ Extraction has been successfully implemented in various cannabis processing operations, delivering consistent, high-quality extracts. Clients have reported enhanced efficiency, product quality, and safety in their extraction processes. For detailed case studies and testimonials, you can visit our Max LPE Extractor page or read a small sample here:
Cost-Efficiency and Financial Benefits
In addition to superior extraction performance, PURE5™ systems provide significant cost benefits. Businesses can expect to recover their initial investment within 4-8 months, with a 5-year return on investment (ROI) of 300-400%. Operating costs are reduced by 45-55%, and production costs per run drop dramatically to $1.16, compared to $11 to $18 per run with traditional methods.
| Parameters | CO2 | Ethanol | Butane | R134a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CapEx | $450,000.00 | $125,000.00 | $250,000.00 | $125,000.00 |
| Facility Compliance | $50,000.00 | $100,000.00 | $200,000.00 | $0.00 |
| 20L Volume | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Particle size | 0.5 | NA | NA | NA |
| Extraction Time | 120 | 40 | 40 | 60 |
| Efficiency | 90% | 85% | 95% | 97% |
| Recovery Time | 180 | 180 | 60 | 60 |
| Solven per run | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Pressure | 310 | 1 | 6 | 9 |
| Recovery Efficiency | 90% | 85% | 90% | 99% |
| Solvent Loss | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.08 |
| Solvent Cost | $10.00 | $7.00 | $10.00 | $7.00 |
| Cost per Run | $12.00 | $10.50 | $8.00 | $0.56 |
| Power | 20 | 10 | 10 | 2 |
| Energy cost | $6.00 | $3.00 | $3.00 | $0.60 |
| Total per Run | $18.00 | $13.50 | $11.00 | $1.16 |
| Run Cost per Month | $3,240.00 | $2,430.00 | $1,980.00 | $208.80 |
| Cost to Install | $500,000.00 | $225,000.00 | $450,000.00 | $125,000.00 |
Conclusion
Non-flammable hydrocarbon extraction is a major advancement in cannabis processing, providing a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods. PURE5™ Extraction’s innovative use of R134a in their PBX™ method sets a new standard for product quality and operational safety.
To discover how PURE5™ Extraction can enhance your cannabis processing operations, visit pure5extraction.com or contact our team for more information.
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