One of my least favorite parts of post-processing CO2 extract is dehydrating the extract in the vacuum oven. Any other ideas for making this go faster?
I saw someone use a sheet of glass with 400 watt grow light about 2 ft underneath. They spread the extract on the glass and folded it like fudge until the water evaporated. I have not used this method myself, but they swore by it.
When you are above 300K in the supercritical range water is less soluble in carbon dioxide. For example, when the carbon dioxide is 50 deg c compared to 40 deg C, it dissolves about half as much water. So you could try running at a warmer temperature, that should leave less water in your extract (ref: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1015294905132).
Also, pay attention to ambient (room) conditions: the amount of humidity in the air is dependent on where you live. If you’re in a humidity-prone area, inert conditions are important to factor into making a high quality product. That starts with running a dehumidifier at full blast in the room that you’re preparing your fresh plant materials in.
It's also possible to purge your fresh plant material before freezing with dried co2. (For more ideas see: http://bit.ly/2xx6BXQ). The reason for purging your fresh plant materials before freezing is to remove humidity in the air/atmosphere. That atmospheric humidity has a tendency to condense on the buds as they are freezing.
@Alaskan_Thunder said:
In the past I have used a Separatory Funnel along with the gentle aid of a heat gun. It isn't the most fun cleaning but it worked well enough for me.
Please, may you describe, what is Separatory Funnel?
@jdouglas said:
When you are above 300K in the supercritical range water is less soluble in carbon dioxide. For example, when the carbon dioxide is 50 deg c compared to 40 deg C, it dissolves about half as much water. So you could try running at a warmer temperature, that should leave less water in your extract (ref: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1015294905132).
Yes, but how this change of SF CO2 properties influences on solubility of desired extract?
Comments
Have you thought about pre-extraction dehydration of the feedstock?
I saw someone use a sheet of glass with 400 watt grow light about 2 ft underneath. They spread the extract on the glass and folded it like fudge until the water evaporated. I have not used this method myself, but they swore by it.
When you are above 300K in the supercritical range water is less soluble in carbon dioxide. For example, when the carbon dioxide is 50 deg c compared to 40 deg C, it dissolves about half as much water. So you could try running at a warmer temperature, that should leave less water in your extract (ref: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1015294905132).
@jdouglas This is a great lead! Thank you! Looking forward to exploring this. @Ctilzer This is interesting too...
Also, pay attention to ambient (room) conditions: the amount of humidity in the air is dependent on where you live. If you’re in a humidity-prone area, inert conditions are important to factor into making a high quality product. That starts with running a dehumidifier at full blast in the room that you’re preparing your fresh plant materials in.
It's also possible to purge your fresh plant material before freezing with dried co2. (For more ideas see: http://bit.ly/2xx6BXQ). The reason for purging your fresh plant materials before freezing is to remove humidity in the air/atmosphere. That atmospheric humidity has a tendency to condense on the buds as they are freezing.
In the past I have used a Separatory Funnel along with the gentle aid of a heat gun. It isn't the most fun cleaning but it worked well enough for me.
Please, may you describe, what is Separatory Funnel?
Yes, but how this change of SF CO2 properties influences on solubility of desired extract?