The Advantages of Closed-Loop Extraction Systems

The cannabis extraction market is booming. As more states continue to legalize recreational marijuana and CBD’s popularity only keeps climbing, the demand for high-quality cannabis extracts is soaring. All of that’s to say nothing for Canada, where the legal cannabis market is fueling more demand than ever, or the European nations now pushing for medical and recreational use.

With more consumers than ever trying cannabis concentrates, the market is beginning to mature. Consumers are discovering what they like and developing more discerning tastes. As a result, quality is more important now than ever, and closed-loop extraction systems are the best way to ensure both quality and efficiency in the cannabis extraction process.

What is a Closed-Loop Extraction System?

To understand what a closed-loop extraction system is, you first need to know a bit about how cannabis extraction works. There are several ways to handle extraction, but most commonly, it involves using a solvent to separate the desired cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, from the rest of the plant matter. Whether the system uses a closed-loop or an open-loop, this part is similar.

In either system, a chilled solvent, like ethanol, is pumped through raw plant matter. The solvent dissolves the plant matter to extract cannabinoids. The mixture of solvent and plant material becomes crude oil, which is then pumped into another tank. In open-loop systems, the solvent is allowed to evaporate or continue on in residual form through the rest of the process. In closed-loop extraction systems, the solvent is evaporated and collected to be reused for increased efficiency. It also ensures that the solvent is completely removed from the product.

Closed-loop extraction systems are closed throughout. Once the raw plant material is fed into the system, the contents of the system never touch open air. As the name implies, everything is closed in one continual path from raw material to the final product. That includes the solvent that is recycled by the system as efficiently as possible until it is eventually purged and replaced.

Why Choose a Closed-Loop Extraction System?

Closed-loop extraction systems have numerous advantages that make them an easy choice for cannabis producers looking to maximize both efficiency and total yield.

Efficiency is a major strength of closed-loop extraction systems. Because the system is closed, solvents can’t escape. It also makes temperature regulation more manageable. Closed-loop systems are able to apply more pressure when mixing raw plant material with the solvent, maximizing dissolution of the plant matter and increasing the total amount of cannabinoids extracted.

Safety is a chief concern in any laboratory or production environment, and since cannabis extraction requires flammable solvents under pressure, there are real risks involved in the process. Closed-loop systems are considered much safer than their open counterparts. The entire system is significantly more controlled, and the risk of solvents leaking is greatly reduced. It’s also much less likely that solvents accidentally come into contact with a combustion source. Closed systems, especially automated ones, reduce the risk of human error.

Closed-loop extraction systems are generally considered more cost-effective to run. First, and most obviously, they greatly reduce the need to purchase and replenish solvents, as they recycle the vast majority of solvent used. They also reduce the need for raw materials, since they more efficiently extract cannabinoids.

To achieve the highest quality product, certain environmental conditions need to be controlled and managed. Closed-loop extraction systems are best for producing high-quality extracts because they enable the most reliable control over temperature, pressure, and the overall composition of the product. The multi-step process which removes and recycles solvents ensures the purity of the extracts. Increased environmental controls guarantee that reactions are happening as expected to achieve an optimal result.

ENTEXS Closed-Loop Extraction Systems

ENTEXS specializes in creating the best closed-loop extraction systems for cannabis producers of any size. We offer a range of fully automated extraction systems that feature hands-free controls that you can access both from the system itself and via a cloud network on your mobile device or computer. Those cloud controls also allow for real-time monitoring of the extraction process, including trend data to help you optimize the process.

ENTEXS closed-loop extraction systems also eliminate the need for winterization. Winterization is the process of using ultra-cold ethanol to separate lipids and other unwanted plant material from otherwise pure cannabinoid extracts. It ensures a higher quality product that is not only more pure but looks clearer and is more valuable in the market. Our closed-loop systems handle winterization automatically by keeping the ethanol solvent used during extraction cold enough to maintain purity.

ENTEXS

MINI Series

The MINI line of closed-loop extraction systems are the best small footprint systems available. They’re completely self-contained and fully automated. They can capture 98% of cannabinoids through the extraction process. These small-but-powerful systems are also capable of recycling 97% of the solvent used, making them a hyper-efficient choice. They feature dual control panels, one for extraction control and the other for distillation control. Both offer real-time statistics and performance analysis.

ENTEXS

MIDI / MAXI

Our MIDI and MAXI systems are ideal for larger-scale extraction operations. Both models feature a continuous feed system to keep supplying the precise amount of plant material necessary to keep the extraction process moving. Their multi-stage wiped film evaporation capabilities allow these systems to convert large quantities of raw plant matter into crude oil, completely hands-free. Like the smaller MINI closed-loop, these more robust extraction systems are capable of pulling out and recovering 98% of cannabinoids while recycling 97% of the solvent used. Just like their smaller siblings, these systems feature full monitoring capabilities, including real-time data and trend monitoring.

Whatever your extraction needs, ENTEXS offers the best range of closed-loop extraction systems to maximize efficiency and production while ensuring safety and quality.

The costs of the construction of your extraction equipment are linked to the needs of the company and the amount of biomass that the company needs to process per day.

At ENTEXS we have a professional team that will help you identify your needs and guide you in making the right decisions for the implementation of CBD extraction equipment that meets the extraction demands of your company.

Please fill out the following form to get in contact with our team of advisors to further provide you with information and pricing.