introduction
The purpose of this sop is to take a high fat non polar extract (butane, propane, heptane, hexane) and dissolve the oils and fats in non polar solvent. Then we will extract the oils into methyl alcohol while leaving behind the fats in the non polar solvent. We will then proceed to pull the oil back into a non polar solvent by adding a brine to louche the cannabinoids. The non polar solvent will have a highly refined, winterized solution without any filtration steps needed.
The purpose of this step is to dissolve all the fats in the non polar layer.
Stainless steel may work, but the brine may cause corroding over time
As per @Beaker tek, we know that methanol has the least solubility in waxes, and also the highest affinity for cannabinoids. Some may argue that using methanol and water will pull less fats and waxes, but I like to assume the hexane/heptane will hold onto those and won’t let go.
All of your cannabinoids should have migrated to the methanol layer.
The reactor will likely have a bit of sludge in it from the non polar layer, so use more non polar to clean it out or perhaps acetone if needed.
At this point, your cannabinoids will be split between the methanol and non polar layer.
We want the methanol concentration to drop to 30-50% with 50-70% h20. This will make all the cannabinoids jump out of the methanol and into the non polar layer.
I dont like to disturb the layers on the final pull. If I were to drain the non polar out the bottom port of the reactor, then the product could catch some floating/ undissolved contamination on the way out of the reactor.
Hexane is toxic and heptanes boiling point is very high. When crude gets very thick, it will make it a lot more difficult to remove heptane and hexane. I know @Cheebachiefextracts mentioned using pentane as a tool to help remove heptane residuals. I’d like to dial this procedure in soon if possible.
Please don’t pollute our planet. Do your part. Be responsible.