A few questions for everyone when running a closed loop hydrocarbon system. We are currently extracting at -60°C using N2 to pressure assist the flow of solvent going from the tank to the material column, 6lbs of fresh frozen per column. Following the wash/soak depending on the input material we are recovering actively. To anyone processing in a similar manner:
•How is everyone tracking the amount of hydrocarbon being used during each extraction and while filling? We’re currently using an explosion proof scale to weigh the amount of solvent being removed from the solvent tank and determine our ratio of solvent:input material but we have recently seen some systems with no scale in the stamped design and was curious how many folks are running in that way.
•Preferences for filling the column and soaking for X # of minutes before dumping vs. doing more washes and no soak?
•If soaking, who pressurizes their material column during the soak (50PSI - 100 PSI) vs. letting it soak with no pressure assist?
•If washing, what is everyone using for a ratio of solvent to input material?