RU2779563C2 - Smoke capture system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoke capture.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to systems and methods for capture and collection of steam and smoke. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and a method used for capture of steam, vapors, and smoke by mixing them with solvents or dissolving in them. A capture system for capture of steam/smoke is proposed, containing a smoke capture chamber for deposition of smoke dispersed in the chamber. The chamber contains a lower bath for accommodation of a tank with a liquid solvent and a gas-filled section, in which there is a lower section with a mixture of fog and smoke, which contains drops of the liquid solvent with a size of fog drops, and into which smoke is introduced, and an upper unfilled section with a reduced concentration of smoke and drops, which corresponds to their concentration in the section with the mixture of fog and smoke. A fog condenser located between the section with the mixture of fog and smoke and the unfilled section deposits fog drops from the section with the mixture of fog and smoke into the bath. A fine-dispersed fog generator creates a jet flow of liquid solvent drops with a size of fog drops mixed with smoke in the direction of smoke concentration in the section with the mixture of fog and smoke. A closed-loop gas circulation pump removes gas from the unfilled section and recirculates gas under pressure through the fine-dispersed fog generator to the section with the mixture of fog and smoke. Fresh smoke is introduced into the gas circulation pump through a smoke transfer channel. The corresponding method for capture of smoke includes filling of the tank, creation of a jet flow of drops with a fog drop size in the direction of concentration of smoke dispersed in the lower section with the mixture of fog and smoke of the gas-filled section, deposition of drops in the section with the mixture of fog and smoke into the bath, using the fog condenser located between the lower section with the mixture of fog and smoke and the upper unfilled section of the gas-filled section, recirculation under pressure in the closed-loop gas circulation pump of gas discharged from the unfilled section to the section with the mixture of fog and smoke through the fine-dispersed fog generator, and transfer of fresh smoke through the smoke transfer channel to the gas circulation pump.

EFFECT: group of inventions makes it possible to create a new system and method for continuous capture of smoke in a liquid solvent with a degree of extraction, which can reach over 90%; such a system and a method are convenient, easy to operate, fast and efficient.

20 cl, 8 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to systems and methods for capturing and collecting steam and smoke. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method used to capture steam, vapors and smoke by mixing them with solvents or dissolving them.

State of the art

Some plants have been found to contain compounds (eg, molecular entities or molecular complexes) with pharmaceutical, therapeutic and/or cosmetic properties. Traditionally, some of the compounds found in plants have been extracted for human administration by burning, also called smoking or evaporation. Smoking of the herbal substance is usually carried out by rolling the herbal substance into a cigarette and lighting the cigarette, or by using a smoking device such as a bong. Evaporation of the vegetable matter is usually carried out using an evaporator designed to contain a small amount of vegetable matter, which is heated with air hot enough to vaporize the compound, but not hot enough to ignite the vegetable matter (or most of it), and the hot air escaping , containing the vaporized compound, is then either actively or passively cooled, after which it is inhaled by the user.

Compositions for pharmaceutical, therapeutic and/or cosmetic use, including compounds from plant matter, can be obtained from plants using various methods, including solvent extraction and distillation methods.

Various devices and methods are currently available for extracting the desired material from plants. For example, in FIG. 1 shows a prior art smoking device 100 capable of producing vegetable matter smoke using a cigarette. The smoking device 100 includes a chamber 110, a cigarette holder 112, an air pump 114, and a smoke passage 116. During operation of the smoking device 100, a cigarette 120 is inserted into the cigarette holder 112 and lit at its distal end (A). Chamber 110 is a closed chamber having no other air inlet other than smoke passage 116. Air pump 114 is configured to draw air from chamber 110 through smoke passage 116 to the outside of chamber 110, thereby creating a vacuum in chamber 110 and inlet smoke from a lit cigarette 120. When ignited, the smoke propagates from the distal end through the cigarette 120 into the chamber 110. The smoke can be analyzed or used within the chamber 110. If desired, the smoke can be pumped from the chamber 110 through the air pump 114 and the smoke channel 116 for further use or analysis.

A disadvantage of the known smoking device 100 is that the plant matter has to be rolled up into cigarettes in order to be burned, and that it is not possible to use a free-flowing plant matter. Another disadvantage is that it is necessary to manually insert the cigarettes into the cigarette holder 112 and then remove the cigarette butt from the cigarette holder 112. While the smoking device 100 may include multiple cigarette holders in which cigarettes may be lit sequentially to continuously produce smoke, cigarettes must be inserted and cigarette butts must be removed from the cigarette holders.

Another disadvantage of the smoking device 100 is related to the uniformity of the resulting smoke. When the cigarette 120 is inserted into the cigarette holder 112 and lit, the smoke travels from point A on the cigarette to point C and then into chamber 110. As the smoke spreads, it is cooled by the plant matter located between point A and point C. Plant matter smoke is typically contains compounds having different evaporation temperatures. As the smoke cools, the higher vapor temperature compounds condense in the plant matter, and the lower vapor temperature compounds pass through the cigarette to chamber 110. However, when cigarette 120 burns to point B, the resulting smoke must travel from point B to point C which is less than the distance from point A to point C. As a result, a larger proportion of compounds with a high evaporation temperature enters the chamber 110 than when the cigarette 120 burns at point A. This leads to smoke inhomogeneity in the chamber 110, since the nature of the smoke at a given the point in time depends on the length of the cigarette and the area of the cigarette currently being burned.

Other devices and methods for extracting compounds from plants for various uses are disclosed in the following prior art publications.

US Pat. No. 4,328,255 describes a method for extracting coffee oil containing aromatic components in high yield in stable form by extracting solid roasted coffee with dry carbon dioxide at supercritical temperature and pressure conditions.

US Pat. No. 6,676,838 discloses a device for extracting biomass. Said device contains an extractor, an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser connected in series by pipelines to form a closed loop for extraction.

German Patent Publication No. 2256111 discloses a solvent recovery process for immiscible liquids and uses thereof.

US Pat. No. 5,516,923 describes a process for extracting oil from an oily plant material using a solvent suitable for dissolving the oil in the plant material.

Disclosure of the essence of the invention

In accordance with the disclosed technology, there is thus provided a "catcher" system for capturing steam/smoke ("smoke"), comprising a smoke catcher chamber for depositing smoke dispersed in the chamber. The chamber comprises a bottom bath to accommodate a reservoir of liquid solvent and a gas-filled area in which there is a bottom area with a mixture of mist and smoke, which contains drops of liquid solvent "fog drop size" and into which smoke is introduced, and an upper unfilled area with reduced the concentration of smoke and droplets, which corresponds to their concentration in the area with a mixture of fog and smoke. A mist condenser located between the mist/smoke area and the unfilled area deposits mist droplets from the mist/smoke area into the bath. A fine mist generator is used to create a mist-mixed-smoke-sized liquid solvent droplet jet stream in a smoke-concentrating direction in a mist-smoke mixture area. The closed loop gas circulator draws gas from the unfilled area and recirculates the pressurized gas through the fine mist generator to the mist/smoke mixture area. Fresh smoke is introduced into the gas circulation pump through the smoke transfer channel.

In addition, according to the present invention, the fume recovery system may also include a circulation pump for pre-mixing the liquid solvent, configured to disperse solvent droplets coming from the tank into the gas circulation pump.

In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the fine mist generator may include:

(a) a fixed lower element protruding upward from the bottom of the bath and containing the first head, located above the level of the liquid solvent in the tank, and the specified first head is located at the first distance from the bottom surface of the specified bottom, the first head contains an inlet through which continuous injection is provided jet flow from the gas circulation pump with a closed circuit in the area with a mixture of mist and smoke;

(b) a top element, fixed or movable, partially submerged in a reservoir of liquid solvent, and the top element contains a second head containing an outlet located in the path of the jet stream, and the second head is located at a second distance from the bottom surface of the specified bottom, which is so greater than the first distance that a gap is formed between the fixed lower element and the upper element, and due to the specified gap, when creating the flow, a negative pressure arises, and an injector installed on the inlet through which the continuous ejection of the jet stream is ensured before it enters the area with a mixture of fog and smoke, and

(c) a surface located in front of the top element injector to increase the degree of combination of smoke with a liquid solvent or dissolution in it by crushing droplets of the jet stream when it hits the surface into small liquid droplets the size of fog drops and droplets and particles formed from smoke.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, at least one of the first head and the second head may be tapered. In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the jet stream may include gas with smoke and solvent droplets.

Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the mist-sized droplets may have a diameter ranging from 0.1 micrometer to 100 micrometers and/or an average diameter of about 2 micrometers.

Moreover, in accordance with the present invention, the diameter of the injector can either be constant or it can be varied to suitably change the pressure of the jet stream of gas with smoke and solvent droplets.

In addition, according to the present invention, the smoke capture system may also include a heating device configured to continuously burn and/or vaporize a fresh smoke substance introduced inside said smoke transfer channel, said heating device comprising a weighing means configured with the possibility of weighing vegetable matter to obtain fresh smoke.

In addition, according to the present invention, the heating means may be configured to heat a substance at a predetermined temperature at or below 230°C, or a temperature that may cause the material to spontaneously combust or ignite, or spontaneously further increase in temperature.

Further, according to the present invention, the heating device may be lockable and may be configured to be controlled by a code interface to prevent misoperation.

In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the smoke capture system may also include at least one pump for pumping liquid solvent from the bath to the mist condenser to deposit and/or condense said mist-sized droplets.

In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the solvent may include at least one selected from the list consisting of ethanol, acetonitrile, propylene glycol, glycerin, water, methanol, an organic solvent, and a combination of any of the above.

In addition, according to the present invention, the smoke capture system may also include at least one atomizer connected to the smoke channel and/or liquid solvent channel for mixing the smoke and liquid passing through the atomizer.

In addition, according to the present invention, the smoke capture system may also include a mixing chamber to improve the dissolution of smoke in the liquid solvent, and the mixing chamber includes a mixing sprinkler having a plurality of holes through which the flow of smoke and liquid solvent passes, and where the holes form areas of increased pressures in the stream, facilitating the combination of smoke with a liquid solvent.

In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the smoke capture system may also contain a controller for setting and controlling parameters, including at least one parameter selected from a list consisting of: duration of operation, total mass of the substance to be treated, mass of solvent before and after the process , a target combustion chamber temperature, liquid pressure, gas pressure, vacuum pressure, ash mass, solvent turbidity to indicate the level of smoke absorption, and an optical means for qualitative or quantitative measurement of dissolved components.

In addition, according to the present invention, the smoke capture system may also include a mechanism for clearing residues accumulated in the internal channel, configured to flush the channels with liquid solvent to release the smoke adhering to the sides of the channels, and circulate the liquid solvent with the released smoke along specified channels.

In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the smoke capture system may also include at least one temperature sensor.

In addition, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for capturing smoke is provided, which includes the following procedures:

(a) providing the above smoke catcher chamber for capturing smoke dispersed in a gas-filled portion in the chamber;

(b) filling a liquid solvent reservoir located in the bottom bath of the chamber;

(c) creating a flow, by means of a fine mist generator, of a jet of mist-sized droplets of liquid solvent mixed with smoke in the direction of concentrating the smoke dispersed in the lower mist/smoke mixture portion of the gas-filled portion, wherein the mist/smoke mixture portion contains droplets of liquid solvent the size of fog drops and is subject to the introduction of smoke into it;

(d) depositing droplets in the mist/smoke mixture area of the bath with a mist condenser positioned between the lower mist/smoke mixture area and the upper unfilled area of the gas-filled area, thereby reducing the concentration of smoke and mist-sized droplets in the unfilled area. according to their concentration in the area with a mixture of fog and smoke;

(e) pressurized recirculation in a closed loop gas circulation pump of the gas drawn from the unfilled area to the area with a mixture of mist and smoke through a fine mist generator; and

(f) transferring fresh smoke through the smoke transfer path to the gas circulation pump in the smoke introduction unit.

In addition, according to the present invention, the method of capturing smoke may also include dispersing drops of liquid solvent coming from the tank into a gas circulation pump located downstream of the smoke injection unit.

In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the procedure for creating a flow using a fine mist generator may also include:

(1) continuously injecting a jet stream of gas with smoke and solvent droplets from a closed loop gas circulation pump into the mist/smoke mixture area by means of a fine mist generator;

(2) continuous ejection of a jet stream through the top element injector at the entrance to the area with a mixture of fog and smoke, and the jet stream creates a negative pressure in the gap between the stationary lower element and the upper element, and the negative pressure ensures that the liquid solvent is sucked from the reservoir towards the injector , and a fine mist generator breaks up the jet stream into fog droplet-sized particles having a relatively high surface area to volume ratio.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed method will become better understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

in fig. 1 shows a known smoking device capable of producing smoke from plant matter using a cigarette;

in fig. 2A is a schematic illustration of a vapor and fume recovery system constructed and operated in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

in fig. 2B is an enlarged view of the injector used in the mixing chamber described in FIG. 2A;

in fig. 3 shows a combustion/evaporation apparatus constructed and operated in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

in fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for capturing smoke in accordance with the disclosed invention;

in fig. 5 is a flow chart of sub-procedures that are optionally added to the smoke capture method of FIG. four.

In FIG. 6, 7 and 8 present the measured presence of the main components of the inflorescence in a demonstration system made and operating in accordance with the present invention. The graphs shown in Fig. 6 illustrate the results obtained using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), obtained by measuring optical absorbance and presented in mAU (mili arbitrary units, miles arbitrary units) as a function of retention time (in minutes). In addition, for simplicity, the results are presented in diagrams in FIG. 7 and summarized in Table I in FIG. eight.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The various systems and methods currently available are inefficient since recovery rates of around 25% have been achieved (eg recovery using supercritical CO ₂ ). In addition, material to be incinerated or otherwise recovered must be repeatedly reloaded into the system during the process, so that such a capture process is inconvenient and not continuous.

The object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for capturing smoke in a liquid solvent. The disclosed method of the present invention provides a novel system and method for continuously capturing (eg dissolving or mixing) smoke in a liquid solvent with recovery rates that can reach over 90%. Such a system and method is convenient, easy to operate, fast and efficient.

In FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a vapor and smoke capture (or capture) system 200 (the terms steam, vapor, smoke, etc. are interchangeable and are referred to herein as "smoke" for brevity) constructed and operating in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. .

The gas and fume collection system 200 may include a smoke collection chamber 202, a combustion chamber 204, a smoke transfer path 206, a first vacuum pump 208, a first unidirectional atomizer 210, a second vacuum pump 212, a second unidirectional atomizer 214, a liquid pump 216, and a mixing chamber. 218. System 200 includes at least one pump, such as pumps 208, 212, or 216, which, in some cases, is configured to pump liquid solvent from bath 220 to a mist condenser (such as mist precipitator 230) to precipitate and/or accelerate condensation. droplets the size of fog drops.

The smoke chamber 202 includes a lower bath 220 containing a liquid solvent reservoir 221, a gas-filled portion 222, and a fine mist generator 224. The liquid solvent may include at least one selected from the list consisting of ethanol, acetonitrile, propylene glycol, glycerin, water, methanol, an organic solvent, and a combination of any of the above.

Gas-filled section 222 includes:

(I) a lower mist/smoke portion 226 containing mist-sized droplets of liquid solvent into which steam or smoke is injected;

(II) an upper blank area 228 with a reduced concentration of smoke and fog droplets, which corresponds to the concentration of smoke and fog droplets in the area 226 with a mixture of fog and smoke; and

(III) a mist precipitator 230 positioned between the mist/smoke area 226 and the unfilled area 228 to deposit droplets in the mist/smoke area 226 into the bath 220.

The mist precipitator 230 may, for example, comprise one of the following, and the like:

1. a condensate pipe in which the mist condenses and flows back into the tank;

2. sprinkler, which sprays the "fallout" of the liquid solvent;

3. perforated grate: a mesh barrier on which the mist condenses and flows back into the tank; and/or

4. cooled condensing pipeline-radiator.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smoke chamber 202 also includes:

(a) a gas circulation pump 231 with a closed circuit for removing gas from the unfilled area 228 by sucking it under pressure and recirculating through the fine mist generator 224 in the area 226 with a mixture of fog and smoke; and

(b) a smoke transfer path 206 for transferring fresh smoke to the gas circulation pump 231 in the smoke introduction portion 252 .

The fine mist generator 224 is partially submerged in the reservoir 221 to create a stream of mist-sized liquid solvent droplets in the direction of the mist-smoke area 226. The fine mist generator 224 includes a fixed bottom element 232, an upper element 234, and a surface 245.

The fixed lower member 232 and the upper member 234 may be conical, cylindrical, or any other shape.

The fixed bottom member 232 protrudes upward from the bottom of the tub 220 and includes a first head 236 that is positioned above the liquid solvent level 237 in the tank 221 at a first distance from the bottom surface of said bottom.

The first head 236 has an inlet 238 through which a jet stream of gas with smoke and solvent droplets from a closed loop gas circulation pump 231 is continuously injected into the mist/smoke mixture portion 226.

The top element 234 is partially submerged in a reservoir of liquid solvent located above the fixed bottom element 232 and has a second head 240. The second head 240 is located at a second distance from the bottom surface of the specified bottom, and the second distance is so much greater than the first distance that between the specified fixed bottom element and the specified upper element, a gap is formed, and due to the specified gap, when creating the flow, a negative pressure occurs, in the second head 240 there is an outlet 242 and an injector 244 through which the jet stream is continuously ejected to hit the surface 245 at the entrance to the area 226 with the mixture fog and smoke. Surface 245 is located in front of the injector 244 of the upper element 234 to increase the degree of connection of smoke with liquid solvent or dissolution in it by crushing droplets of the jet stream when it hits surface 245 into small droplets of liquid the size of fog drops, as well as droplets and particles formed from smoke.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the first head 236 and/or the second head 240 may be conical, and the second head 240 may be fixed or movable. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, when the jet stream exits the stationary lower member 232, it lifts the upper member 234 and creates a vacuum that carries liquid solvent from the reservoir towards the injector 244.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the injector 244 is constant or variable, i. if necessary, it is increased or decreased during manufacture or by using a variable diameter component which is controlled to change its diameter, preferably dynamically. A significant decrease in diameter generally leads to a decrease in the pressure of the gas mixed with the solvent (due to the Bernoulli effect), and a significant increase in diameter usually leads to a corresponding increase in the pressure of the gas mixed with the solvent. Such pressure changes lead to mixing (primary mixing) with the formation of a mixture of solvent and gas and their transformation into a mist.

In accordance with the present invention, the high pressure and increased surface area of the solvent droplets (creating microdroplets) cause the gas/fume to mix with the solvent to form a mist.

As the solvent and gas jet exits the injector 244, it strikes the surface 245 and breaks up into mist-sized droplets ranging from 0.1 micrometer to 100 micrometer in diameter, which may have an average diameter of about 2 micrometers.

The increased surface area of the micrometer-sized droplets and the relatively high pressure generated when the solvent and gas jet exits the injector 244 ensure that the solvent continuously combines or dissolves and entrains smoke and gas with the solvent.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the mixing chamber 218 to enhance the dissolution of the smoke into the solvent liquid includes an agitation and mixing injector 248 to facilitate the combination of the smoke with the liquid solvent.

The injector 248 includes openings 249 (e.g., a grate or perforated chute) through which the liquid and smoke flow passes as it enters the mixing chamber 218, the openings 249 forming pressurization zones in the liquid and gas flow, thereby assisting in the dissolution of vapor or smoke into the liquid. .

The description will now refer to FIG. 2B, which is an enlarged view of the injector 248. As shown in FIG. 2B, the injector 248 has a plurality of openings 249 through which the flow of liquid and smoke enters the settling chamber, the openings 249 forming pressure zones in the flow of liquid and gas and thereby assist in the dissolution of the smoke into the liquid.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the injector 248 breaks up the incoming solvent droplet stream, creating pressurized zones in the solvent droplet stream and thereby enhancing the liquid solvent's smoke absorption.

Thus, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the fine mist generator 224 enhances the liquid solvent's smoke absorption rate by breaking the incoming solvent droplets into small, micrometer-sized fog droplets having a relatively high surface area to volume ratio.

The degree of smoke absorption in the smoke chamber 202 is quite high and can reach approximately 90-97%, thus, it may not be necessary to include a mixing chamber 218 in the process.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smoke capture system 200 may include various sensors, such as:

• at least one temperature sensor to monitor the temperature throughout the entire process;

• at least one sensor to control the composition of gases throughout the process;

• at least one sensor to control the amount of liquid solvent before the process is initiated, throughout the process and after it is completed.

The fume capture system 200 allows liquid solvent to be added throughout the process as needed.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the fume collection system 200 may include an internal mechanism for clearing debris accumulated in the internal channel, which is configured to flush the channels with a liquid solvent to release the smoke adhering to the sides of the channels and circulate the liquid solvent with the released smoke. through the indicated channels to the lower bath 220.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smoke capture system 200 is computerized, and thus the desired parameters can be adjusted using a suitable computerized controller. Such parameters may include run time, total weight of material being processed, weight of solvent before and after the process, pre-set combustion chamber temperature, fluid pressure, gas pressure and vacuum pressure, ash weight, and solvent turbidity (to indicate smoke absorption). The system contains optical means for qualitative or quantitative measurement of dissolved components (for example, FT-IR (infrared spectrum, with Fourier transform) or a similar integrated detector and analysis system for performing quantitative measurements of compounds dissolved in a liquid during the process).

The fume capture system 200 may have a plurality of evaporation programs, each of which involves setting a predetermined treatment temperature and a predetermined duration of evaporation in accordance with different types of materials.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smoke capture system 200 is configured to perform four stages of mixing liquid and smoke throughout the process:

1. the first stage of mixing takes place in the mixing chamber 218;

2. the second stage of mixing occurs when the jet stream exits the fixed lower element 232;

3. the third stage of mixing occurs when the jet stream exits the top element 234;

4. The fourth stage of mixing occurs when the jet stream hits the surface 245 and breaks up into small droplets the size of fog droplets.

In FIG. 3 shows a combustion/evaporation unit 300 constructed and operated in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The combustion/evaporation unit 300 includes a weighing means 302, a plant transfer path 304, a smoke transfer path 306, a screen 308, a filter 310, heating elements 312, an ash collector 314, a first sensor 316, and a second sensor 318.

The plant transfer channel 304 has a proximal end 305A and a distal end 305B.

The smoke transfer path 306 is open at one end into the plant transfer path 304 and is configured to allow smoke from the plant transfer path 304 to pass therethrough.

A screen 308 is provided between the smoke transfer path 306 and the plant transfer path 304 to prevent plant matter from entering the smoke transfer path 306 from the plant transfer path 304 .

Filter 310 is configured to allow smoke to pass through but prevent large particles from passing through.

The combustion/evaporation unit 300 includes a first sensor 316 within the plant transfer path 304, configured to detect the ignition state of the plant matter, and a second sensor 318 located at a distance from the distal end 305B, configured to determine the ignition state of the plant material at the far end 305B.

Thus, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the plant matter is weighed and the mass recorded. The plant matter then enters through the proximal end 305A and progresses to the distal end 305B of the plant transfer channel 304. The plant transfer conduit 304 has external heating elements 312 that heat the plant matter as it progresses towards the distal end 304 to a temperature at which plant vapor is produced. The heating elements 312 are a heating device configured to continuously burn and/or vaporize a substance to produce fresh smoke entering the inside of the smoke transfer channel 306 .

The plant matter enters through the plant transfer channel 304 at a rate that allows the vapor or vapor of the plant matter to reach the far end 305B. Thus, steam/vapours are continuously sucked through the plant matter into the plant transfer channel 304, through the screen 308 and into the smoke transfer channel 306.

Waste plant matter falls into the ash collector 314 as the plant matter moves towards the distal end 305B. Then the ash is weighed and its mass is recorded. It should be noted that in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the heating device may include a weighing means configured to weigh plant matter. In addition, the heating device may be lockable and may be configured to be controlled by a code interface to prevent misoperation.

EXAMPLE

The uptake rate of the nine major components (cannabinoids) was measured on an inflorescence containing said medical components processed in a demonstration system designed and operated in accordance with the present invention. Further, the description refers to FIG. 6, 7 and 8, which show the measured degree of presence of the main components of the inflorescence. The graphs shown in Fig. 6 illustrate results obtained using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) obtained by measuring optical absorbance and presented in mAU (mili arbitrary units) as a function of retention time (in minutes). ). In addition, for simplicity, the results are presented in diagrams in FIG. 7 and summarized in Table I in FIG. 8. The initial concentration of cannabinoids in the inflorescence before combustion is presented in mg/g. The percentage extract yield is the percentage of material vaporized after combustion (calculated by analytical measurement of the components in the ash remaining in the combustion chamber), and the percentage for entrainment is measured for the entrained residue(s) and is calculated relative to the unburned inflorescence. In particular, the measurements showed that the percent yield of CBN, Δ9-THC and CBC increased to 454%, 358% and 116%, respectively, indicating their formation during combustion (for example, THCA may be a possible source for Δ9-THC , which is itself a potential source of CBN), and the effective yield percentage in the system. It should be noted that the term "total" and in particular "total cannabinoids" is used in the context of charts for specific controlled components and does not reflect the total yield of cannabis or all of its components or all of the respective components. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above measured components and may include, for example, the capture of other unmeasured cannabinoids, as well as terpenes and flavonoids, or any other compounds, molecular structures or molecular complexes that may be of interest.

TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS

During operation of the fume capture system 200, vegetable matter is continuously introduced into the combustion or evaporation chamber 204, in which it is ignited or operated at a predetermined temperature(s).

When the plant matter is burned/vaporized in the combustion chamber 204, the first vacuum pump 208 creates a vacuum to suck fresh smoke from the combustion chamber 204 through the smoke transfer channel 206 . The fresh smoke is then fed into the first unidirectional atomizer 210 and injected at point 250 where it is mixed with the old smoke exiting the smoke chamber 202 and this mixture is circulated by being pumped by the second vacuum pump 212. The combined flow of old and fresh smoke is supplied to the second unidirectional atomizer 214, and then to the assembly 252. At the assembly 252, the solvent exiting the smoke chamber 202 and circulating by pumping it through the liquid pump 216 is mixed with the smoke. The combined stream of solvent and smoke enters the mixing chamber 218 through the agitation and mixing injector 248 to help combine the smoke with the liquid solvent.

As the flow of solvent and smoke enters the mixing chamber 218, it passes through the orifices of the injector 248, resulting in multiple pressure zones in the solvent. An increased pressure causes an increase in the degree of dissolution of the smoke in the liquid solvent.

To achieve an even greater degree of dissolution, the solvent and smoke stream is introduced into the smoke trap chamber 202 where it breaks up into fine mist-sized droplets having an average diameter of about 2 micrometers. Such fine mist droplets have a high surface area to volume ratio, resulting in a significant increase in smoke absorption.

It should be noted that since the incoming jet stream enters the section between the two heads of the fixed lower member 232 and the upper member 234, the total pressure in the smoke chamber 202 does not accumulate but remains constant, and thus there is no need to depressurize the atmosphere and therefore unmixed/undissolved gas smoke will not escape into the surrounding atmosphere.

It should also be noted that when the jet stream of solvent and pressurized smoke exits the stationary lower member 232, it lifts the upper member 234 and creates a vacuum that draws the solvent.

The process also includes the use of a closed loop gas circulation pump to suck and recirculate the gas vented from the unfilled section 228 under pressure through the fine mist generator 224 to the mist/smoke mixture section 226, and a smoke transfer conduit 206 to direct fresh smoke into the gas circulation pump in the smoke injection unit.

During the process, the smoke-laden air stream exits the smoke chamber 202 and re-circulates, i.e. pumped by a second vacuum pump 212 to mix with fresh smoke that exits the combustion chamber 204. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of mixing cycles may be performed during the process.

In accordance with some embodiments, before entering the smoke chamber 202, the combined smoke stream may enter the mixing chamber 218.

At the end of the process, the solvent containing smoke may condense and accumulate in the liquid reservoir. The solvent then evaporates (evaporates or boils off) and a solvent-free residue is left.

SMOKE/GAS CAPTURE/CAPTURE METHOD

The description will now refer to FIG. 4, which is a flowchart of a method 400 for capturing (or capturing) smoke in accordance with the disclosed invention. The description refers to the specific components indicated in FIG. 2A, 2B, and 3 are for convenience only, and it should be noted that any similar or equivalent components are applicable to the objects of the method 400. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the smoke capture method 400 includes the following steps:

In step 402, the smoke chamber 202 described above with reference to FIG. 2A, 2B, and 3 to capture smoke dispersed in the gas-filled area 222 in said catch chamber 202. The smoke catch chamber 202 includes a bottom bath 220 containing a solvent liquid reservoir 221, a gas-filled area 222, and a fine mist generator 224.

At step 404 fill the tank 221 for liquid solvent located in the lower tub 220 of the chamber-trapper 202 smoke.

In step 406, a mist-sized jet of liquid solvent droplets mixed with smoke is flowed, by means of a fine mist generator 224, in the direction of concentrating the smoke dispersed in the lower mist/smoke mixture portion 226 of the gas-filled portion 222, the portion 226 with The mist-smoke mixture contains fog-sized droplets of liquid solvent that must be mixed with the smoke. The fine mist generator 224 is partially submerged in the reservoir 221 to create a jet stream of mist-sized droplets of liquid solvent toward the mist-smoke area 226. The fine mist generator 224 includes a fixed bottom element 232, an upper element 234, and a surface 245.

In step 408, droplets are deposited in the mist/smoke area 226 into the bath 220 by a mist precipitator 230 or a mist condenser located between the lower mist/smoke area 226 and the upper unfilled area 228 of the gas-filled area 222, thereby reducing the smoke concentration. and droplets the size of fog droplets in the unfilled area 228, respectively, their concentration in the area 226 with a mixture of fog and smoke.

At step 410 provide recirculation under pressure, in the gas circulation pump 231 with a closed circuit, the gas discharged from the unfilled area 228 in the area 226 with a mixture of fog and smoke through the fine mist generator 224. A closed loop gas circulation pump 231 is used to remove gas from the unfilled section 228 by suction under pressure and recirculation through the fine mist generator 224 to the mist/smoke mixture section 226;

in step 412, fresh smoke is transferred (directed) through the smoke transfer path 206 to the gas circulation pump 231 in the smoke injection unit 252; and

at step 414, performed if necessary, disperse the drops of liquid solvent coming from the reservoir 221 into the gas circulation pump 231 downstream of the node 252 introduction of smoke. This can be done in the pre-mix chamber 218 with a diffuser injector 248. The combined solvent and smoke flow enters the mixing chamber 218 through the agitation and mixing injector 248 to promote the combination of the smoke with the liquid solvent.

The description will now refer to FIG. 5, which is a flowchart 500 of subroutines that may be included in the flow creation procedure 406 with the fine mist generator 224. Procedure 406 may include the following sub-procedures:

1. In step 516, a jet stream of gas with smoke and solvent droplets from a closed loop gas circulation pump is continuously injected into the mist/smoke area 226 by means of a fine mist generator 224.

2. At step 518, the jet stream is continuously ejected through the injector 244 of the upper element 234 at the entrance to the area 226 with a mixture of fog and smoke, and the jet stream creates a negative pressure in the gap between the stationary lower element 232 and the upper element 234, and the specified negative pressure provides suction liquid solvent from the reservoir 221 towards the injector 244, and the fine mist generator 224 breaks the jet stream into mist droplet-sized particles having a relatively high surface area to volume ratio. For example, the injected jet stream is continuously ejected at the entrance to the area 226 with a mixture of fog and smoke through the top element 234, which is partially immersed in the liquid solvent reservoir 221 and located above the fixed bottom element 232.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method for preparing a liquid solvent saturated with smoke for storage includes the following steps:

1. providing liquid solvent saturated with smoke in the storage tank;

2. liquid solvent condensation;

3. weighing liquid solvent saturated with smoke;

4. sealing the container and attaching a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to the container;

5. registration of the weight and serial number of the container and their storage (on a computer, in the cloud, etc.).

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, any receiving system, similar to the preparation system used to prepare the tank for storage, can be used to open the tank. Before opening the tank, the receiving system can weigh the tank and compare the weight, serial number, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with data stored by the preparation system, for example, in the cloud.

If the above data matches the data stored in the cloud, and if the operator has permission to access the machine, the receiving system may allow the tank to be opened.

These actions are taken for safety reasons, namely to prevent theft or tampering, since unauthorized opening of the tank can lead to the release of chemical substance (s) that can spoil the contents of the tank.

In addition to the combustion chamber 204 described in FIG. 2A, various other heating devices may be used to cause combustion, burning, smoking, vaporization or vaporization of plant material.

It should be noted that the set temperature in the combustion chamber is preferably set at or below 230° C. or below a temperature that can cause spontaneous combustion of the substance, spontaneous ignition and/or spontaneous further temperature increase (for example, a temperature increase above 230° C., up to 350° C, and even higher) to avoid such unwanted spontaneous combustion.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the method is not limited to what has been specifically shown and described above.

In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs "comprise", "include" and "have" and cognates are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete list of components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

The descriptions of embodiments of the present invention in this application are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The described embodiments include various features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, only some of the features or possible combinations of features are used. Modifications to the described embodiments of the present invention and embodiments of the present invention incorporating various combinations of features noted in the described embodiments may be suggested by those skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims.

Claims (58)

1. A system for capturing (catching) steam / smoke (“smoke”), containing: (a) a smoke catcher chamber for depositing smoke dispersed in said chamber, comprising: (1) bottom tub to hold the solvent liquid reservoir; (2) a gas-filled section containing: (I) a lower mist/smoke region which contains mist-sized droplets of said liquid solvent and into which smoke is introduced; (II) an upper blank area with a reduced concentration of said smoke and said droplets, which corresponds to their concentration in said area with a mixture of fog and smoke; and (III) a mist condenser placed between said mist/smoke mixture area and said unfilled area for depositing said mist droplets in the mist/smoke mixture area in the bath; and (3) a fine mist generator for generating a jet stream of mist-sized droplets of said liquid solvent mixed with said smoke in a smoke concentration direction in a mist-smoke mixture area; (b) a closed loop gas circulating pump for withdrawing said gas from said unfilled area and recirculating the pressurized gas through the fine mist generator into the mist/smoke mixture area; and (c) a smoke transfer channel for transferring fresh smoke to said gas circulation pump. 2. The smoke capture system of claim. 1, which also contains a circulation pump for pre-mixing liquid solvent, configured to disperse drops of the specified solvent coming from the specified reservoir in the specified gas circulation pump. 3. The smoke capture system of claim 1, wherein said fine mist generator comprises: (a) a fixed lower element protruding upward from the bottom of said bath and containing a first head located above the liquid solvent level in said tank, wherein said first head is located at a first distance from the bottom surface of the bottom, said first head contains an inlet through which continuously injecting a jet stream from said closed loop gas circulation pump into a mist/smoke mixture area; (b) an upper element, fixed or movable, partially submerged in said reservoir of liquid solvent, wherein the upper element comprises a second head containing an outlet located in the path of said jet stream, the second head is located at a second distance from the bottom surface of said bottom, and said second distance is so much greater than the first distance that a gap is formed between said fixed lower element and the upper element, and due to said gap, a negative pressure arises when the flow is created, and an injector mounted on said outlet, through which said jet stream is continuously ejected before it entering an area with a mixture of fog and smoke, and (c) a surface positioned in front of said injector of said top member to increase the degree of association of smoke with or dissolution in said liquid solvent by crushing droplets of said jet stream upon contact with said surface into small liquid droplets the size of fog drops and droplets formed from smoke and particles. 4. The smoke capture system of claim 3, wherein at least one of said first head and second head is tapered. 5. The smoke capture system of claim 3, wherein said jet stream contains gas with smoke and solvent droplets. 6. The smoke capture system of claim 1, wherein said fog-sized droplets have a diameter in the range of 0.1 micrometer to 100 micrometers and/or an average diameter of about 2 micrometers. 7. The smoke capture system of claim. 3, wherein the diameter of said injector is either constant or varied to suitably change the pressure of said jet stream of gas with smoke and solvent droplets. 8. The smoke capture system of claim. 1, which also contains a heating device configured to continuously burn and/or vaporize the substance to produce fresh smoke, and said heating device contains a weighing means configured to weigh said substance to produce fresh smoke inserted inside the smoke transfer channel. 9. The smoke capture system of claim. 8, wherein said heating device is configured to heat said substance at a predetermined temperature at or below 230°C, or a temperature that may cause spontaneous combustion or ignition of the substance or spontaneous additional temperature increase. 10. The smoke capture system of claim 8, wherein said heater is lockable and can be controlled by a code interface to prevent misoperation. 11. The smoke capture system of claim 1, which further comprises at least one pump for pumping liquid solvent from said bath to a mist condenser to deposit and/or condense said mist-sized droplets. 12. The smoke capture system of claim. 1, in which the specified liquid solvent contains at least one substance selected from the list consisting of: ethanol; acetonitrile; propylene glycol; glycerin; water; methanol; organic solvent; and combinations of any of the above. 13. The smoke capture system of claim. 1, which also contains at least one atomizer connected to the specified smoke channel and/or channel for liquid solvent, for mixing the smoke and liquid passing through the specified atomizer. 14. The smoke capture system of claim. 1, which also contains a mixing chamber for improving the dissolution of smoke in the specified liquid solvent, and the specified mixing chamber contains a mixing sprinkler having a plurality of holes through which passes the specified flow of smoke and liquid solvent, and moreover, these holes form zones of increased pressure in the specified flow, facilitating the connection of the smoke with the specified liquid solvent. 15. The smoke capture system of claim. 1, which also contains a controller for setting and controlling parameters, and these parameters include at least one parameter selected from a list consisting of: duration of work; the total mass of the substance to be processed; solvent masses before and after the process; set temperature in the combustion chamber; pressure of liquids; gas pressure; vacuum pressure; masses of ash; and the degree of turbidity of the specified solvent to indicate the level of absorption of smoke; and optical means for qualitative or quantitative measurement of dissolved components. 16. The smoke capture system of claim. 1, which also contains a mechanism for cleaning accumulated in the internal channel residues, configured to flush said channels with the specified liquid solvent to release the smoke adhering to the sides of the specified channels, and circulation of the specified liquid solvent with released smoke through the specified channels. 17. The smoke capture system of claim 1, which also includes at least one temperature sensor. 18. A method of capturing smoke, including the following procedures: (a) providing a smoke collection chamber according to claim 1 to capture smoke dispersed in a gas-filled area in said chamber; (b) filling the tank for liquid solvent located in the lower bath of the specified chamber; (c) creating, by means of a fine mist generator, a jet stream of liquid solvent droplets the size of smoke mist droplets in the direction of the smoke dispersed in the lower mist/smoke mixture region of said gas-filled region, said mist/smoke mixture region containing droplets a liquid solvent the size of a mist drop and subject to the introduction of smoke into it; (d) depositing droplets in said mist/smoke mixture area in the bath with a mist condenser positioned between the lower mist/smoke mixture area and the upper unfilled area of said gas-filled area, thereby reducing the concentration of smoke and mist droplets in specified unfilled area according to their concentration in the specified area with a mixture of fog and smoke; (e) recirculating under pressure in a gas circulation pump with a closed circuit of gas discharged from said unfilled area to said area with a mixture of mist and smoke through a fine mist generator; and (f) transferring fresh smoke through the smoke transfer path to said gas circulation pump in the smoke introduction unit. 19. The smoke capture method of claim 18, which also includes dispersing droplets of said liquid solvent coming from said reservoir into said gas circulation pump located downstream of said smoke injection assembly. 20. The method of capturing smoke according to claim 18, according to which the specified procedure for creating a flow using a fine mist generator includes: (1) continuously injecting a jet stream of gas with smoke and solvent droplets from said closed loop gas circulation pump into said mist/smoke mixture area by said fine mist generator; (2) continuous ejection of said jet stream through said injector of said upper element at the inlet to said area with a mixture of fog and smoke, wherein said jet stream creates a negative pressure in said gap between the fixed lower element and the upper element, said negative pressure sucking liquid solvent from the reservoir towards the injector, and the fine mist generator breaks up said jet stream into mist droplet-sized particles having a relatively high surface area to volume ratio.

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