I. Introduction
Overview of Cannabis Extraction
In the cannabis industry, extraction is a critical process that transforms raw plant material into valuable concentrates, oils, and other derivatives. As the market for high-quality extracts continues to grow, so does the demand for more efficient and effective refinement methods that can capture the full essence of the plant.
Introducing PURE5™ Extraction
PURE5™ stands at the forefront of this evolution, offering a groundbreaking approach to cannabis extraction. Utilizing R134a aerosol gas, PURE5™ has developed a method that not only simplifies the extraction process but also elevates the quality of the final product, ensuring the preservation of the plant’s natural compounds.
II. The PURE5™ Extraction Process: From Plant to Final Product
The PURE5™ extraction process (also known as PBX-Standard R134a method) is a sophisticated, fully automated method that harnesses the unique properties of R134a aerosol gas to extract the full spectrum of valuable compounds from botanical sources. This innovative approach is designed to maximize the efficiency and purity of the oil extraction while preserving the delicate balance of terpenes, cannabinoids, and other essential components found in the plant material. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:
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- Preparation of Plant Material
The extraction process begins with the careful selection and preparation of the plant material. The botanical source is typically dried and ground into a fine consistency, optimizing the surface area for the extraction. The plant material is then loaded into the extraction vessel, ensuring an even distribution to facilitate uniform exposure to the solvent.
- Preparation of Plant Material
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- Introduction of R134a Aerosol Gas
Once the plant material is in place, the system introduces R134a aerosol gas into the extraction chamber. R134a, known for its excellent solvency properties and low boiling point, penetrates the plant material efficiently. Unlike traditional solvents, R134a operates at low temperatures and pressures, which helps preserve the integrity of sensitive compounds such as terpenes and cannabinoids, preventing degradation.
- Introduction of R134a Aerosol Gas
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- Solubilization and Extraction
As the R134a gas passes through the plant material, it selectively solubilizes the target compounds. Terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, and other valuable phytochemicals dissolve into the R134a solvent, forming a rich solution. The gentle nature of the process ensures that the full spectrum of compounds is captured, maintaining the plant’s original profile and potency.
- Solubilization and Extraction
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- Separation of Extract from Plant Material
After the desired compounds have been solubilized, the system separates the extract-laden R134a solution from the plant material. This step is crucial to ensure that no plant particulates or unwanted residues remain in the final product. The plant material, now devoid of its valuable constituents, is removed, and the extract solution is collected for further processing.
- Separation of Extract from Plant Material
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- Evaporation of R134a Solvent
The next step involves the careful evaporation of the R134a solvent from the extract solution. Due to R134a’s low boiling point, this process can be achieved rapidly and efficiently without the need for high temperatures. As the solvent evaporates, it leaves behind a concentrated, pure extract that contains all the solubilized compounds. The solvent is then condensed and recycled back into the system for repeated use, making the process highly sustainable and cost-effective.
- Evaporation of R134a Solvent
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- Purification and Refinement
The raw extract obtained after solvent evaporation may undergo additional purification steps depending on the desired final product. Techniques such as winterization, filtration, or distillation can be employed to remove any remaining impurities or unwanted components, such as waxes or chlorophyll. These refinement processes help achieve the desired purity and concentration of the final product.
- Purification and Refinement
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- Final Product Collection and Packaging
The purified extract is then collected, ready for formulation into various end products such as oils, tinctures, edibles, or topicals. The final product is packaged under stringent quality control measures to ensure consistency, potency, and safety. The PURE5™ PBX-Standard extraction process, with its precision and efficiency, results in a product that retains the full spectrum of the plant’s therapeutic compounds, offering enhanced efficacy and a richer sensory experience for the end-user.
- Final Product Collection and Packaging
Comparison to Traditional Methods
While the PURE5™ PBX-Standard R134a extraction process is cutting-edge and highly efficient, it’s essential to understand how it stands in contrast to more traditional extraction methods. Each of these traditional methods—CO2 extraction, hydrocarbon extraction, ethanol extraction, steam distillation, and water-alcohol extraction—has its own merits and drawbacks, often influenced by factors such as cost, safety, efficiency, and the quality of the final product.
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- CO2 Extraction
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- Process Overview: In CO2 extraction, carbon dioxide is used as the solvent. Under high pressure and low temperature, CO2 is converted into a supercritical fluid that extracts compounds from the plant material.
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- Comparison: While CO2 extraction is renowned for producing clean, high-quality extracts, it requires expensive equipment and can be energy-intensive. The process also involves high pressures, which may degrade sensitive terpenes and other compounds. PURE5™ uses lower temperatures and pressures, preserving the plant’s integrity more effectively.
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- CO2 Extraction
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- Hydrocarbon Extraction (e.g., Butane, Propane)
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- Process Overview: Hydrocarbon solvents like butane or propane dissolve the plant’s active compounds at relatively low temperatures.
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- Comparison: Hydrocarbon extraction is efficient but carries significant safety risks due to the flammability of the solvents. Additionally, hydrocarbons may leave behind harmful residues if not properly purged. The PURE5™ process, in contrast, uses a non-flammable, environmentally friendly solvent that eliminates these risks.
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- Hydrocarbon Extraction (e.g., Butane, Propane)
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- Ethanol Extraction
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- Process Overview: Ethanol is used to dissolve both polar and non-polar compounds from the plant material, capturing a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes.
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- Comparison: While ethanol is an effective solvent, it also extracts chlorophyll and other undesirable components, requiring additional refinement steps. The PURE5™ process selectively targets the desired compounds, reducing the need for extensive post-extraction purification.
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- Ethanol Extraction
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- Steam Distillation
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- Process Overview: Steam distillation involves passing steam through plant material to volatilize and then condense essential oils.
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- Comparison: This method is particularly suited for essential oils but is less effective for extracting cannabinoids due to the high temperatures involved, which can degrade certain compounds. The PURE5™ process operates at much lower temperatures, preserving the full spectrum of the plant’s components.
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- Steam Distillation
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- Water-Alcohol Extraction
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- Process Overview: This method uses a mixture of water and alcohol to extract plant compounds, often employed for tinctures.
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- Comparison: While water-alcohol extraction is simple and cost-effective, it is less selective and can lead to the extraction of unwanted compounds like tannins. The PURE5™ process offers greater precision and control, resulting in a cleaner, higher-quality extract.
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- Water-Alcohol Extraction
Therefore PURE5™ PBX-Standard R134a refinement process stands out due to its use of R134a aerosol gas, which allows for a fully automated, efficient, and eco-friendly extraction. It offers significant advantages in terms of safety, solvent recovery, and product quality, particularly when compared to traditional methods that may involve higher costs, greater risks, lower concentrate quality, and more intensive post-extraction processing.
III. The PURE5™ Extraction Equipment: All-in-One Extraction and Post-Processing Solution
The PURE5™ extraction system is engineered to be a seamless, fully automated solution for botanical extraction, effectively combining pre-processing, extraction, and post-processing in a single, easy-to-use unit. This all-in-one approach not only simplifies the extraction process but also ensures the highest quality of the final product, delivering a full-spectrum oil with unmatched purity and potency. Below is a detailed explanation of each stage in the process:
1. Pre-Processing: Preparing the Material
The process starts with the pre-processing of plant material. The plant, whether whole or chopped, is prepared by separating valuable parts like flowers and leaves from stems and seeds. After separation, the material is ground into a fine consistency, optimizing the extraction process by increasing the surface area available for extraction.
2. Fully Automated Extraction and Integrated Post-Processing
The heart of our system is its fully automated extraction unit, which uses R134a, a non-toxic, environmentally friendly aerosol gas. This unit not only simplifies the extraction of cannabinoids and terpenes but also incorporates advanced post-processing capabilities. Unlike traditional setups, where winterization, filtration, and evaporation require separate machines, the PURE5™ unit handles all of these within the same system.
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- Winterization: Typically, this process requires a separate setup to cool the extract, removing unwanted fats and waxes. With our system, winterization is integrated, streamlining the process and maintaining the integrity of the extract.
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- Filtration: Filtration is another step that traditionally needs its own equipment to purify the extract by removing any remaining solids. Our unit automates this step, ensuring that the extract is clean and ready for further processing without additional machinery.
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- Evaporation: Finally, evaporation removes residual solvents from the extract, a crucial step to ensure the final product is safe and pure. Again, our system incorporates this process directly, eliminating the need for a separate evaporator.
By combining these post-processing steps into one system, the PURE5™ equipment not only reduces the need for multiple machines but also ensures a seamless, efficient process that delivers the highest quality extracts. The result is a potent, full-spectrum oil and live resin, capturing the complete profile of cannabinoids and terpenes with unparalleled purity.
3. Final Product: High-Quality Live Resin and Full-Spectrum Oil
The culmination of the PURE5™ extraction process is the production of high-quality live resin and full-spectrum oil. These products retain the complete range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds found in the original plant material, offering enhanced therapeutic benefits and a richer sensory experience.
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- Live Resin: The live resin produced by the PURE5™ system is particularly prized for its high terpene content, which contributes to its robust flavor and aroma. The preservation of these volatile compounds is made possible by the gentle, low-temperature extraction process.
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- Full-Spectrum Oil: The full-spectrum oil captures the entire profile of cannabinoids, providing the entourage effect that many consumers seek. This oil is versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications, from tinctures to edibles to topicals.
In summary, the PURE5™ oil refinement equipment is a comprehensive solution that simplifies the entire extraction process, from pre-processing to post-processing, in one compact, automated unit. This not only reduces the need for multiple machines but also ensures that the final product is of the highest possible quality, making the PURE5™ system an invaluable tool for any botanical extraction operation.
IV. Preservation of Natural Compounds: The PURE5™ Advantage
The PURE5™ oil extraction system is designed with a singular focus: to preserve the full spectrum of natural compounds found in the cannabis plant, particularly terpenes and cannabinoids. These compounds are crucial for both the therapeutic effects and the overall quality of the final product, making their preservation a top priority. The PURE5™ method excels in maintaining the integrity of these compounds, ensuring that the final extract is as close to the natural plant as possible.
Maintaining Terpenes and Cannabinoids
Terpenes and cannabinoids are the cornerstone of cannabis extracts, providing not just therapeutic effects but also the unique aroma and flavor profiles that differentiate various strains. The PURE5™ extraction process is gentle and precise, utilizing R134a, a low-pressure, non-toxic gas that operates at near-room temperatures. This approach is ideal for preserving the delicate balance of terpenes and cannabinoids, which are often degraded or lost entirely in more aggressive extraction methods.
By maintaining lower temperatures and avoiding harsh solvents, the PURE5™ system ensures that the full terpene profile is preserved. This includes not just the major terpenes but also the minor ones, which can significantly influence the entourage effect and the overall efficacy of the extract. Additionally, the system’s efficiency in preserving cannabinoid content means that the final product retains high levels of these active compounds, ensuring maximum bioavailability and therapeutic potential.
Comparison with Competitors
When comparing the PURE5™ PBX-Standard R134a method to other extraction techniques, the differences in compound preservation become even more apparent. Traditional methods often involve trade-offs, whether in terms of cost, safety, or the quality of the final extract.
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- CO2 Extraction (Subcritical and Supercritical): CO2 extraction, whether subcritical or supercritical, is one of the most commonly used methods in the industry. However, it comes with significant drawbacks. The high pressures and temperatures required can lead to the degradation of volatile compounds, including many terpenes. Additionally, CO2 extraction systems are expensive, often requiring multiple machines and additional permits for operation. This complexity not only increases costs but also the likelihood of losing valuable compounds during the process, leading to a less robust final product.
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- Hydrocarbon/Hexane Extraction: Hydrocarbon extraction methods, such as those using butane or hexane, are effective in stripping cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. However, these methods raise significant safety concerns due to the flammability and toxicity of the solvents involved. Moreover, the extracts produced often require further purification to remove solvent residues, which can degrade the quality of the terpenes and cannabinoids. The environmental impact of these solvents is another critical issue, making hydrocarbon extraction a less sustainable option.
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- ETOH Extraction (Ethanol): Ethanol extraction is a popular choice for its efficiency and ability to process large volumes of plant material. However, ethanol is not selective and can dissolve both desirable and undesirable compounds, including chlorophyll, which can affect the taste and color of the final product. Additionally, ethanol extraction often requires extensive post-processing, such as winterization, to remove impurities. This additional processing can reduce the terpene content, leading to a final product that lacks the full spectrum of natural compounds.
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- Water-Alcohol Solutions & Pure Steam Extraction: Water-alcohol extraction methods and pure steam distillation are generally less efficient at preserving the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. These methods often result in lower yields and incomplete preservation of the plant’s natural profile. Steam distillation, in particular, operates at high temperatures, which can cause significant terpene loss. While these methods may be suitable for certain applications, they do not offer the same level of preservation and efficiency as the PURE5™ system.
In summary, the PURE5™ extraction process stands out for its ability to maintain the full natural profile of the cannabis plant. By preserving the delicate balance of terpenes and cannabinoids, it produces extracts that are closer to the natural plant, offering superior quality and efficacy. This makes the PURE5™ system not only a more efficient and cost-effective solution but also the best choice for those looking to produce high-quality, full-spectrum cannabis extracts.
V. Real-World Applications and Customer Success
Case Studies
The PURE5™ extraction technology has been put to the test in various real-world scenarios, demonstrating its effectiveness and versatility across different cannabis strains and production scales.
What our customers say:
VI. Why Choose PURE5™?
Final Comparison with Competitors
When it comes to choosing the right extraction technology, several factors need to be considered: cost, quality, efficiency, and safety. PURE5™ stands out in all these areas, offering a comprehensive solution that is both cost-effective and superior in preserving the natural compounds of the cannabis plant.
- CO2 Extraction: CO2 systems, particularly supercritical ones, are often regarded as the gold standard in cannabis extraction. However, this comes at a high price. A full CO2 setup can cost upwards of $500,000, not including the expenses for additional post-processing equipment needed to winterize and purify the extracts. Moreover, the complexity of CO2 systems requires specialized knowledge and training, adding to operational costs.
- Hydrocarbon Extraction: Hydrocarbon systems, while cheaper than CO2, still represent a significant investment, often ranging between $200,000 and $300,000. These systems also pose safety risks due to the flammability of the solvents used, which necessitates stringent safety protocols and expensive ventilation systems. Additionally, the need for further purification can dilute the final product’s quality, making it less desirable for high-end markets.
- Ethanol Extraction: Ethanol extraction is more affordable, with systems typically costing between $100,000 and $250,000. However, the lower upfront cost comes with trade-offs in terms of extract quality. Ethanol can pull undesirable compounds from the plant, necessitating extensive post-processing. This not only adds to operational costs but can also degrade the terpene profile, resulting in a less aromatic and flavorful product.
- Water-Alcohol Solutions & Pure Steam Extraction: These methods are among the least expensive, with setups ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. However, their inefficiency in preserving the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes makes them less competitive, especially for producers aiming for high-quality, full-spectrum extracts. The lower yields and incomplete preservation of the plant’s profile further diminish their cost-effectiveness.
- PURE5™ Extraction: In comparison, PURE5™ offers a much more balanced solution. The total cost of a PURE5™ system is typically between $75,000 and $200,000, depending on the scale. This price includes all necessary post-processing capabilities—winterization, filtration, and evaporation—integrated into a single, fully automated unit. The simplicity of the system means lower operational costs, as it does not require the same level of specialized training or safety measures as CO2 or hydrocarbon systems. Additionally, the superior preservation of terpenes and cannabinoids results in a higher-quality product that can command premium prices in the market.
| Parameter | 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 |
| 10L 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
For those looking to optimize their cannabis extraction process, PURE5™ offers an unmatched combination of quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Whether you’re a large-scale producer looking to reduce operational costs or a craft grower aiming to preserve the unique characteristics of your strains, PURE5™ has a solution tailored to your needs.
