You are currently viewing Cryogenic Ethanol Extraction Explained: Benefits for Cannabis Producers

The evolution of the organic processing industry is improving extraction technology. It is significantly impacting the cannabis industry as well as the industry using these methods. Cryogenic ethanol extraction is one such method which has emerged as a game-changer for cannabis producers. This extraction technique combines the efficiency of ethanol extraction with the benefits of ultra-low temperatures, resulting in superior extracts with enhanced purity and potency

In this guide, we explore the science of cryogenic ethanol extraction, its process, benefits, and impact on the cannabis industry.

Understanding Cryogenic Ethanol Extraction

To understand the cryogenic ethanol extraction method, you must know ethanol extraction. We already have a detailed guide on cannabis ethanol extraction. What makes cryogenic ethanol extraction more sophisticated is the use of extremely cold ethanol to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material. In this process, ethanol is cooled to subzero temperatures (typically between -40°C to -80°C (-40°F to -112°F)) before introducing it into the system. 

Apart from the temperature, there are several other differences between standard ethanol extraction and cryogenic ethanol extraction. Cryogenic temperatures increase the selectivity of the compounds, reducing the extraction of unwanted substances. Also, the cryo ethanol extraction process allows for faster extraction times due to decreased solubility of undesirable components—additionally, cryogenic extraction results in higher-quality extracts with better preservation of volatile compounds.

The cryogenic ethanol extraction process exploits the different solubilities of various plant compounds at extremely low temperatures. By cooling down the ethanol to subzero temperatures, the selectivity is improved, primarily dissolving cannabinoids and terpenes while leaving behind chlorophyll, waxes, and other unwanted plant materials. 

This temperature control requires specialized equipment such as cryogenic chillers and insulated vessels. Root Sciences’ CryoEXS 800 cryogenic ethanol extraction equipment offers incredible efficiency with ease of operation via automatic control systems.

The Cryogenic Ethanol Extraction Process: Step-by-Step

The Cryogenic Ethanol Extraction Process
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The cryogenic ethanol extraction process involves several steps, each contributing to the overall efficiency and quality of the final cannabis extract. Let’s take a look at each of these steps: 

1. Pre-chilling the ethanol: The first step in the cryo ethanol extraction is to cool the ethanol to cryogenic temperatures, which are between -40°C to -80°C (-40°F to -112°F). Specialized ethanol chillers are used to achieve this subzero temperature. Some manufacturers also use liquid nitrogen to cool down ethanol. 

2. Freezing the plant material: To increase the efficiency of the process, the cannabis plant material is frozen simultaneously. This step aids in preserving the volatile terpenes and preventing the degradation of cannabinoids. Additionally, frozen plant material is more brittle, which can aid in the extraction process. 

3. Extraction phase: The frozen plant material is mixed with the cryogenically cooled ethanol at this step. The extremely low temperatures of the process significantly improve extraction efficiency. At cryogenic temperatures, cannabinoids and terpenes are more soluble in ethanol. Also, low temperatures reduce degradation and speed up extraction.

4. Filtration and separation: Once ethanol dissolves the desired material from plant material, the mixture is filtered to remove any remaining plant material. Specialized cold-resistant filters are used for ethanol separation from the extract. 

List of specialized equipment used in cryogenic ethanol extraction:

  1. Cryogenic Tanks: These specially insulated tanks store and handle ultra-cold ethanol. They are designed to maintain extremely low temperatures and prevent heat ingress.
  2. Ethanol Chillers: These are specialized refrigeration units capable of cooling ethanol to cryogenic temperatures. Ethanol chillers often use cascade refrigeration systems or liquid nitrogen to cool down ethanol.
  3. Cold-Resistant Pumps: You cannot use the typical pumps in this process. It requires pumps designed to operate at extremely low temperatures to transfer the cold ethanol and extract mixtures.
  4. Cryogenic Filtration Systems: These systems are designed to operate at very low temperatures and are used to separate the plant material from the ethanol-extract mixture.
  5. Temperature Monitoring and Control Systems: At every step of the process, you must maintain precise temperature control. This will require sophisticated monitoring and control systems to maintain optimal conditions.      

Key Benefits of Cryogenic Ethanol Extraction

Compared to other extraction methods, cryogenic ethanol extraction offers several benefits: 

  1. Preservation of Terpenes and Cannabinoids: Volatile terpenes and cannabinoids are hard to preserve when the extraction process utilizes heat. The ultra-low temperatures of cryo ethanol extraction help preserve volatile compounds easily, resulting in a more aromatic and potent final product.
  2. Improved Purity and Yield: Another benefit is the high selectivity of the process that minimizes the extraction of chlorophyll, lipids, and plant waxes. You can produce cleaner extracts with higher concentrations of desired compounds, improving yields. 
  3. Reduced Solvent Residues: Not only unwanted substances but also cryogenic temperature minimizes the presence of residual solvent in the extracts. At low temperatures, ethanol molecules do not remain present in the extracts after filtration.
  4. Faster Extraction Process: Cryogenic ethanol extraction can be completed more quickly than room-temperature extractions. The cold temperature allows for shorter contact times while still achieving efficient extraction.

Why Choose Cryogenic Ethanol Extraction for Cannabis Production?

If you are still figuring out whether you should choose cryo ethanol as the solvent over other extraction methods, then let us provide you with a comparison with other popular cannabis extraction methods:     

Cryogenic vs. CO2 Extraction:

  • Efficiency: Cryo ethanol extraction is much faster for commercial operations and can process larger volumes of material in less time than CO2 extraction.
  • Cost: The initial setup of cryogenic ethanol extraction is higher than CO2 extraction. The specialized equipment count is also higher in this process; hence, the maintenance cost is higher.
  • Preservation of Terpenes: Both methods excel at preserving terpenes, but cryogenic ethanol can often retain a broader spectrum of these volatile cannabis compounds.

Cryogenic vs. Hydrocarbon Extraction:

  • Safety: As compared to highly flammable hydrocarbons, ethanol is generally considered safer to work with. It also reduces the risk of explosions and fires and has lower compliance restrictions.
  • Purity: Cryogenic ethanol extracts often require much less post-processing to remove residual solvents than hydrocarbon extracts.

Cost-Effectiveness in Large-Scale Production

  • Lower Operational Costs: While the initial setup cost might be high, cryogenic ethanol extraction systems can operate more cost-effectively due to lower solvent costs and energy requirements.
  • High Throughput: You can process large batches with cryogenic extraction. High throughput makes it suitable for industrial-scale production.
  • Ethanol Reusability: In the process, ethanol can be easily recovered and reused, reducing operational costs in large-scale production scenarios.

Common Applications of Cryogenic Ethanol Extracts

Common Applications of Cryogenic Ethanol Extracts
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Cryogenic ethanol extracts have diverse applications in the industry. These pure extracts are used in dozens of products, from tinctures to edibles. Here are some of the typical applications of cryo ethanol extracts: 

1. Tinctures: The extracts are highly potent as cryogenic ethanol extract preserves most terpenes. They can be used to create highly potent tinctures due to their concentrated nature. Also, the purity of the extracts makes tinctures fast-acting due to faster absorption when used in sublingual tinctures.

2. Concentrates: Due to the preservation of most of the terpenes and cannabinoids, these extracts are particularly well-suited for creating live resin products due to the purity of the extracts; they can also be used for producing high-quality shatter and wax concentrates.

3. Edibles: Purity and absence of solvents make cryogenic extracts suitable for incorporation into food products without unwanted flavours. Terpene retention enhances the natural flavours of edible products.

4. Topicals: Cannabis-infused creams and lotions for topical formulations for skin and pain relief can also use cryogenic ethanol extracts due to their purity. Due to the high concentration of cannabinoids in these extracts, such topical products are highly effective for pain relief and skin conditions.

The Growing Demand for High-Quality Extracts in the Market

As the demand for organic cannabis extract products is increasing in the market, cryogenic ethanol extraction can help you meet the demand. By producing clean, potent, and flavorful extracts that can be used in a wide range of products, the process allows you to stand out in the market. You can use cryogenic ethanol extracts to offer premium products with the plant’s natural terpene profile and high cannabinoid concentrations.

Challenges and Considerations

Along with the benefits and applications, you should also consider the challenges of the cryogenic extraction process. 

1. Technical challenges:

As the process depends on consistently maintaining subzero temperatures, technical challenges exist for setting up and operating complex, specialized equipment. Such equipment has high initial costs, potentially creating a barrier for smaller producers. Also, facilities must maintain proper insulation and materials suitable for extreme cold to prevent equipment damage and ensure process efficiency.

2. Safety concerns and best practices:

You will have to train workers to handle and work with cryogenic ethanol. Working with ultra-cold temperatures requires proper safety protocols and protective equipment to prevent cold burns and frostbite.

While safer at low temperatures, ethanol is still flammable and requires proper handling and storage procedures.

Like other solvent-based extraction methods, you must ensure adequate ventilation to prevent the buildup of ethanol vapours.

3. Scale-up considerations for commercial producers:

Scaling up cryogenic ethanol extraction will require careful planning to maintain efficiency and product quality. Large-scale operations must explore automated systems to handle the increased volume and maintain consistent results, as the setup cost is high. Root Sciences provides highly automated ethanol extraction equipment at affordable prices. 

One particular cost to factor in is energy spending. Cooling large volumes of ethanol will require significant energy and should be factored into production planning.

Conclusion

Cryogenic ethanol extraction is a significant improvement in cannabis processing technology. Utilizing ultra-low temperatures addresses many of the challenges associated with traditional extraction techniques. It offers purer, more potent, and better-preserved cannabis extracts that can be used in several applications. From selectively isolating desired compounds to preserving delicate terpene profiles and increasing overall extraction efficiency, this method provides a versatile solution for a wide range of cannabis products. However, it’s vital for producers to carefully consider the challenges and investments associated with implementing a cryogenic ethanol extraction system.