4
Preparing to Extract
Before you begin, you are going to want to make sure you have the necessary supplies to run the unit. Here is
a list of some things that will be needed to operate the unit.
▪
Tools (various wrenches/sockets)
▪
Dry Ice
▪
Alcohol or Glycol for condensers
▪
Butane
▪
Nitrogen gas cylinder with regulator
▪
Refrigerant scale
▪
Combustible Gas Leak Detector (recommended)
▪
Explosion-proof exhaust fan (recommended)
▪
Cleaning solvent (D-limonene is recommended)
Once the machine is packed with material and assembled, always pressure test the gasket and clamp
connections. Pressurize the entire unit to 90 PSI with nitrogen gas using the vacuum valve. Allow pressure to
sit for at least 10 minutes, checking to make sure no pressure is lost. If the unit is sealed, connect vacuum
pump to manifold and pull a full vacuum.
Manipulating Thermals
In order to move the solvent through the system, you must ensure that the supply vessel is of higher pressure
than the receiving vessel. This can be achieved by making sure the receiving vessel is colder than the supply
vessel. Temperature is pressure, so maintaining a temperature gradient to transfer solvent within the system
is important.
Even though this system is intended to be run active, it is still very important to practice passive tech. We
want to ensure the temperatures within the system are set so it could recovery passively, and the mechanical
force of the pump is simply used to aid recovery.
The best way to maintain control while operating an active system is to use passive tech. If coil and condenser
temperatures are significantly lower than solvent boiling point, solvent will maintain liquid state and pull a
Always tighten clamps evenly on each side. Unit MUST be pressure tested to 90 PSI
before each use. Failure to do so could result in solvent leaks.
