Frequently Asked Questions

The actual length of each cycle depends upon the type of material(s) being recycled, the volume of the material, and the type of recycler being used. However, the following is a good generalization:

Purity: 99%

Recovery: 80% to 95% (depending upon solvent)

Neither the College of American Pathologists (CAP) nor the Joint Commission (JCAHO) requires any special testing of the recycled solvent(s) before use; you test and use the products, in the same manner, you would use vendor solvents. There is a hydrometer provided with alcohol recyclers to allow the user to check the concentration of the recycled alcohol. For xylene and xylene substitutes, there is a simple test in the operator’s manual to verify the purity. Contact CBG Technical Support for information on formalin testing.

The solvent is distilled from CBG’s CannaTrue™ SRS Series equipment at different rates of recovery, depending on your operating temperature.  CBG’s SRS-1 unit runs at a default operation temperature of 130°C and has a solvent recovery rate of +/- 3 gallons per hour.  Comparatively, the SRS-2 unit runs at a default temperature of 70°C and recovers 1.5 gallons per hour.  In general, the rates of distillation are faster at the beginning of the process as compared to the end of the process when there is less solvent present in CBG’s distillation unit.   

CBG’s SRS simple distillation tank is either 8 or 15 gallons and can connect to a larger tank or drain for solvent recovery.

The solvent output at lower temperatures from CBG’s SRS-2 unit is anywhere from 1.5 – 2.0 gallons per hour.  If an operator of CBG’s equipment can run on higher operating temperatures, meaning above 130°C (SR-1), or above 70°C (SRS-2), the solvent distillation and recovery rates will be greater than 3 gallons per hour recovery.  

It should be noted that CBG’s equipment is versatile in that it can be used for multiple solvent streams.  If you are using pure ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and other carrier solvents in your operations, you have the ability and flexibility with CBG’s equipment to recover all of these solvents (by running separate processing runs with individual solvents).   This reduces your cost and aids the environment through this sustainable distillation process by recovering all organic solvents used in your operations. 

CBG’s SRS Series simple distillation unit is geared for industrial and higher throughput applications.   Our equipment is designed for demanding applications.   Our equipment maintains a rugged industrial design, which will stand up over time to your growing requirements.   

Assuming that oil/extract is introduced into our distillation unit together with ethanol, the amount of remaining ethanol in the product depends on your desired end product and its application.  We have customers that drive and utilize our equipment to “dryness.”  Other customers will retain residual ethanol in the oil/extract at the end of the process (removing in excess of 95% of the ethanol from the product) and then perform post processing steps which are appropriate for the oil/extract and its final end application.

In the case of CBG’s SRS I and II units, the electrical requirements are 220-240 V/1 PH/60Hz.  There is one 30 amp power feed needed for the SRS-1 Series. 

The SRS II Series equipment requires one 30 amp power feed for the recycler and one 30 amp power feed for the chiller. 

The capacity of our distillation equipment is anywhere from 8-15 gallons.   The 8 Gallon SRS-1 Series run time will be 3-4 hours, as the equipment will drive off +/- 3 gallons per hour of solvent through the distillation process.  

By comparison, the 8 Gallon SRS-2 Series will drive off approximately 1.5-2 gallons per hour arriving at a cycle time for 8 gallons of solvent of approximately 5 hours.  

In each case, our equipment and the temperature set points associated with our equipment can be adjusted.  If you want to run at a slightly higher setting, then the evaporation rates will increase and the cycle times will decrease. 

In general terms, the answer is yes. 

On this basis, CBG’s equipment is ideally suited to support CO₂ extraction.  CBG's equipment is currently used by customers who are performing CO₂ extraction.  Our equipment is often used to Decarb Biomass product prior to the introduction into a CO₂ extractor.  Subsequently, post CO₂ extraction, our equipment is used to drive off ethanol, which is used to purify and separate fats, waxes and lipids from the CO₂ extraction.

In conjunction, post extraction, CBG's recycling equipment can be used to Decarb your valuable essential oils after solvent removal.  Our equipment can and will effectively Decarb your essential oils post extraction, while your solvent is being removed and recovered.  Many of our customers use CBG's equipment in this fashion to enable fast throughput.  Through utilization of CBG's equipment in this part of the process, you effectively take two process steps (Decarb and distillation/solvent removal) and consolidate them into one stop, thereby simplifying your production and waiting time.  

It should be noted that CBG’s equipment has the ability to Decarb both flower and stem product, which may be used for the extraction of valuable essential oils.

CBG’s SRS-1 and SRS-2 Series are designed to be C1D2 compliant.  This is supported by the safety features described above.  

CBG’s SRS-1 and SRS-2 Series can be fitted to include C1D1 capability.  This involves modifications to the wiring and certain electrical housings within the equipment.  Therefore, with a C1D1 unit in the SRS-1 and SRS-2 Series, there is a modest upcharge for the C1D1 capability for these reasons.

In general, as is the case with most equipment, after operation, a cleaning of the contact parts (primarily the distillation tank) is required for CBG’s SRS-1 and SRS-2 Series. CBG’s distillation tank is a double-wall tank, which includes thermal oil used to heat the vessel.  In general, the thermal oil is recommended to be changed every 1,000 hours of operation.  This involves using a simple and easy to use flush solution, which first cleans the oil from the walls of the tank, while also cleaning the heating elements.  After the flush is performed, new thermal oil is filled into the tank for another 1,000 hours of operation. 

In addition, there are some contact parts which are recommended to be replaced on a periodic basis for proper operation of CBG’s equipment.  In general, tank seals are recommended to be replaced every 6 months.  Otherwise, CBG’s equipment is built with rugged structure and contact parts and does not require significant maintenance. 

For our customers who want to have periodic maintenance, CBG offers Preventative Maintenance services in support of our equipment.  Oftentimes our customers will have CBG perform this on an annual basis or an every-other-year basis to promote effective and efficient use of CBG’s equipment.

At the present time, CBG does not directly offer financing.   With customers, we do have flexibility regarding payment terms and can work creatively with our customer to support our customers’ business objectives.  

Some of our customers do have financing partners.  CBG can work with your financing partners to bridge the financial needs of your company with your production needs by enabling and supporting the acquisition of CBG’s SRS Series equipment.

CBG’s SRS Series equipment enables you to improve the rates of your solvent recovery as well as your Decarb processing.   Decarb processing is important and relevant prior to extraction, particularly CO₂ extraction and enables you to increase your CO₂ extraction efficiencies.   

Post extraction, winterization is oftentimes utilized.  CBG’s SRS Series equipment is to remove valuable ethanol (which can be recovered) and used for future processing and leaving the valuable oil/extract behind.

CBG’s SRS Series equipment can also be used to Decarb the extract/oil during the solvent removal process, should this capability be commensurate with your processing requirements.

The solvent will be distilled from CBG’s CannaTrue™ EPD System equipment at different rates of recovery, depending on the operating temperature.  CBG’s EPD System runs at a default operation temperatures of approximately 40-60°C and has an average solvent recovery rate of +/- 2 gallons per hour.  In general, the rates of distillation are faster at the beginning of the process as compared to the end of the process (when there is less solvent present in CBG’s distillation module).   

CBG’s solvent recovery tank aligns with the size of our distillation module. CBG’s fractional distillation tank is 8 gallons and can hold 8 gallons of solvent for recovery.

The amount of solvent recovered per run can vary depending on the quantity of recoverable oil/extract or solids which may be present in the solvent when introduced into CBG’s distillation module.  In general, solvent recovery volumes are greater than 95%, depending on the amount of solids and/or extract/oil contained in the solvent when introduced into CBG’s distillation module.

This reduces your cost and aids the environment by recovering organic solvents used in your operations.

CBG’s CannaTrue™ EPD System uses ethanol as the main carrier solvent.  Ethanol is a tried and true solvent that has been used for centuries to craft tinctures, essential oils and similar substances.   In more modern times, alcohol is still among the most commonly deployed solvents.

CBG’s automated 8 gallon extraction module provides subzero temperatures to cool the plant material, while chilling the ethanol.  When the ethanol is lowered below freezing temperatures, its pickup of soluble components is substantially slowed and the ability to attach to frozen water based components is nearly eliminated.    

In accord, CBG’s automated purification module has been designed to preheat and filter the solution through your choice of activated carbon prior to distillation.  In general, CBG’s CannaTrue™ EPD extraction yields are comparable to those used in BHO recovery and exceed those found in CO₂ extraction.  

CBG’s CannaTrue™ EPD system is engineered to deploy the combined and inherent capabilities of the physics of our EPD system to promote effective extraction from Biomass using Ethanol.  The programming and engineering of the EPD system control time, temperature, concentration, weight and other processing variables. These values, in turn align with the Biomass’s characteristics and the Ethanol, enabling the Ethanol to interact with the Biomass similar to that of a non-polar hydro carbon solvent.  This inhibits the extraction of fats, waxes and lipids from the Biomass during extraction using the EPD system.

The operating conditions, technology and parameters of the CBG CannaTrue™ EPD system enable extractions of oil/extract and leave fats, waxes and lipids behind.  This is important, as this saves significant time in and with post processing work.

Chemical formula:  Ethanol is a 2-carbon alcohol.  Its molecular formula is CH₂CH₂OH.  Ethanol is sometimes abbreviated as EtOH.  

Physical properties:  Ethanol is a volatile, colorless liquid that has a slight odor.  It burns with a smokeless blue flame that is not always visible in normal light.  The physical properties of Ethanol stem primarily from the presence of its hydroxyl group and the shortness of its carbon chain.  Ethanol’s hydroxyl group is able to participate in hydrogen bonding, rendering it more viscous and less volatile than less polar organic compounds of similar molecular weight, such as propane.

Solvent properties:  Ethanol is a versatile solvent, miscible with water and with many organic solvents, including acetic acid, acetone, benzene, chloroform, diethyl ether, ethylene glycol, glycerol and pyridine.  It is also miscible with light aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as pentane and hexane and with aliphatic chlorides such as trichloroethane and tetrachloroethylene.

Medicinal solvent:  Ethanol, often in high concentrations, is used to dissolve many water-insoluble medications and related compounds.  Ethanol is present mainly as an antimicrobial preservative in over 700 liquid preparations of medicine including acetaminophen, iron supplements, mannitol and over-the-counter cough medicine.  

Antiseptic:  Ethanol is used in medical wipes.  Ethanol kills organisms by denaturing their proteins and dissolving their lipids and is effective against most bacteria and fungi and many viruses.  Absolute ethanol may inactivate microbes without destroying them because the alcohol is unable to fully permeate the microbe’s membrane.

Ethanol is used in many medicinal applications.  Ethanol can be food grade alcohol found in spirits throughout the world.  Ethanol is used in medicinal and food products as a antimicrobial preservative, antiseptic and disinfectant and generally is safe to ingest at appropriate concentrations and volumes.  

Ethanol possesses strong solvent properties and characteristics (see What is Ethanol?).  In accord, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) lists Ethanol under Part 184 as Direct Food Substances affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).  This combination of strong solvent properties makes Ethanol an ideal extraction solvent.

The cycle times will vary depending on the following variables, which are based on customer preference and processing and extraction requirements:

• Wash time for the Biomass in Ethanol:  In general, our customers will perform the wash for a period of anywhere from 30-60 minutes.  
• Color requirements through and post purification:  Through CBG’s purification module, this purification step typically takes approximately 60 minutes depending on the customer’s desired color for the combination of oil/extract and solvent prior to being transferred into the distillation module.
• Running temperatures in distillation:  Depending on the running temperatures in the distillation module, distillation times will take anywhere from 4-6 hours to end of process.  Therefore, CBG’s cycle time to perform a complete extraction, purification and distillation process along with recovery of solvent will take approximately 5-8 hours.  

CBG’s CannaTrue™ EPD System is built in a modular configuration.  Therefore, as the extraction is completed and this solution is transferred to the purification module, the extraction module can be recharged with fresh Biomass.  Thus, the system can run in cycles.  We have customers who process +/- 30 pounds of Biomass per day using this approach, which is built into the design of our system. 

CBG’s EPD System is designed with rugged Stainless Steel construction and can be used to extract essential oils from:

• Flower
• Trim/Stem
• Post-processed material, e.g. product from a CO₂ unit where additional oil/extract recovery and yield can be achieved through utilization of CBG’s EPD ethanol extraction technology.

It should be noted this is important and valuable to end users as our equipment can be utilized to extract oil from trim/stem, which oftentimes is overlooked by processors or, in some cases, discarded.  The same can be indicated for flower product processed using a CO₂ extractor.  CBG’s EPD ethanol extraction technology can be utilized to extract additional yield from that previously processed material, while recovering your valuable ethanol at the back end of our process and reuse.

Currently, CBG’s CannaTrue™ EPD System is designed on an 8 gallon platform. That is, CBG’s extraction module holds 8-11 pounds of biomass depending on mill size prior to introduction to the extraction module.  The purification and distillation modules are equipped to handle 8 gallons of solvent.  This is supported by a recovery tank coming off of the back end of our distillation module, which also holds 8 gallons of solvent.  Thus, the sizes for processing are aligned to afford continuous cycling from extraction to purification to distillation to recovery and back to extraction with the recovered solvent.  

Multiple processing runs can be achieved utilizing CBG’s EPD System. This is because as one step is completed, e.g. as extraction is completed, the extraction module can be recharged with fresh Biomass and a second extraction process can be started as the first extraction is being processed through the purification step. This enables staging of your production and higher throughput.  Our customers are able to achieve extraction of +/- 30 pounds of Biomass during a normal daily production schedule. 

In general, as is the case with most equipment, after operation, a cleaning of the contact parts (primarily the distillation tank), is required for CBG’s CannaTrue™ EPD System.  CBG’s distillation module is a double-wall tank, which includes thermal oil used to heat the module.  In general, the thermal oil is recommended to be changed every 1,000 hours of operation.  This involves using a simple and easy to use flush solution, which first cleans the oil from the walls of the tank, while also cleaning the heating elements.  After the flush is performed, new thermal oil is filled into the tank for another 1,000 hours of operation.

In addition, there are some contact parts which are recommended to be replaced on a periodic basis for the proper operation of CBG’s equipment.  In general, tank seals and tubing contact parts are recommended to be replaced every 6 months.  Otherwise, CBG’s equipment is built with rugged structure and contact parts and does not require significant maintenance.

Our customers who want to have periodic maintenance, CBG offers Preventative Maintenance services in support of our equipment.  Oftentimes our customers will have CBG perform this on an annual basis or an every-other-year basis to promote effective and efficient use of CBG’s equipment.