Glossary of Terms
Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly used terms you’ll come across when visiting our site or investigating the C02 Extraction process. This document is meant to help you navigate the information presented in a more knowledgeable and confident manner while determining the process and machinery that might be right for your end purposes.
C02: A colourless and odourless gas that is produced when animals breathe or when carbon-containing materials (including fossil fuels) are burned.
Containment: When a fluid, such as a supercritical CO2 is restricted in movement to a specific space, such as a Pure Extraction storage vessel.
Critical Point: The point at which both the liquid and gas phases of a substance have the same density, and are therefore are indistinguishable.
Cannibanoids: The chemical compounds found within the cannabis plant. There have been at least 113 different cannabinoids isolated from the cannabis plant, with the most notable including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). Cannabinoids can be absorbed via inhalation or ingestion as well as topically.
Impurities: Substances inside a confined component that differ from the chemical composition of the original material or compound.
Open Loop: Pure Extraction has both Open Loop and Closed Loop systems. Open Loop vents to the atmosphere, whereas our Closed Loop filter and chill the used CO2 for reuse. For larger facilities, the Closed loop is recommended. Open Loop systems are generally used for occasional use and/or the development of SOPs (standard operation procedures).
Run Time: The suggested time with which the CO2 Extraction process takes place. At Pure Extraction, our supercritical CO2 has a suggested run time of 1-2 hours per lb of dry material.
Solvent: A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute (a chemically distinct liquid, solid or gas), resulting in a solution. Supercritical fluids are used as a solvent in our Pure Extraction systems.
SOP: short for standard operating procedure, this refers to the combination of variables used in the extraction process. Similar to a recipe, changes in the variables of time, flow, temperature, and pressure can provide different extraction results.
Supercritical: Supercritical CO2 means that the CO2 is processed to have a temperature and pressure that is above its thermodynamic critical point (see critical point below). This state allows CO2 to be diffused in solids like a gas, and dissolve other materials like a liquid. This also means that density is compressed, thereby occupying a much smaller amount of space than it would in its natural state.
Supercritical Fluid: A supercritical fluid is any substance at a temperature and pressure above its critical point, where distinct liquid and gas phases do not exist. It can effuse through solids like a gas, and dissolve materials like a liquid.
Trichomes: Trichomes are the part of the marijuana plant that contain THC, CBD, and other active medicinal cannabinoids.
Terpenes: Terpenes are the pungent oils that give the cannabis plant its distinct tastes and smells.
Tunable Solvent: By varying and fine tuning the temperature, pressure, and the flow rate during the extraction process, multiple varieties of the end product can be produced.
About Pure Extraction
We specialize in the design, development, manufacturing and service of Supercritical C02 Extraction Systems. Our Canadian made products are built with the main focus on quality, ease-of-use, and with the highest potential efficiency in mind. We invite you to connect with our team to discuss your specific needs and how C02 Extraction can increase your efficiency and support a more environmentally-friendly direction.