We’re a small CBD hemp outdoor grow operation near Green Bay Wisconsin that are considering setting up a very small alcohol extraction facility (5-10lbs/day). While we understand that folks at this size often use dry ice to cool their alcohol and run their extract through a Panda spin dryer, we don’t see this as a viable long-term solution. Our expectation is that, in short order, Wisconsin regulations will be similar to states like Oregon and Colorado that require “closed-loop” systems.
Our hope it to cold (-40C) alcohol extract our own organic CBD hemp that is then run through a RotoVap to produce a crude somewhere between Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) and a Short Path Distillate. I understand that this probably sounds a bit odd but we believe in the “entourage effect” – in leaving in as many plant constituents as possible. Having been through a heavy-duty illness, it is our understanding that there is a need for a super clean product – some people are just really sensitive to toxins that are often found in cannabis products. You can get a sense of what we’re about at Organic Entourage and Biotoxin Journey.
In terms of scale, it’s just my wife and I looking to produce a high CBD, full spectrum oil at a fair price while being able to make a modest income and help folks that could benefit from this type of product. It’s never going to be much more than the two of us and the farm family we’re working with. Not surprisingly, we’re on a very small budget - especially in comparison with the sorts of head-spinning numbers I’ve seen kicked around.
So I’ve been mulling over the least expensive way to build a small setup. Right now, it seems like there are no other closed-loop options other than “CUP” extractors – glorified stainless washing machines. I’ve seen some on Alibaba for under $2,000. To me, this seems like overkill for our needs, not to mention expensive. Squid mentioned using jacketed tanks and columns using CO2 or nitrogen assist but I couldn’t find a good explanation of this approach. This sounds like a simpler extraction solution that could be closed-loop.
After extraction, I can see being able to keep the system closed using a RotoVap. For example, it’s my understanding that alcohol extract can be pulled into the RotoVap from the extractor discharge tank, evaporated, and that the alcohol can then be drained from the RotoVap receiving flask into an the empty portable canister for reuse in the closed extractor. Given the small quantities, I’m envisioning simply lifting the re-filled alcohol canister from the RotoVap onto a higher platform where it can gravity feed into the extractor to start the cycle over again.
Is what we’re trying to do even possible on a budget of 10K or less? Is there someone that others can recommend that can help us understand how this could be done and for how much? I know Good Life Gang provides advice but I wasn’t sure if they worked on this small of scale. Any recommendations for consultants or better ways to set up this small operation would be appreciated.
