WO2021247164A1

WO2021247164A1 - Organic oil filtering system

Info

Publication number: WO2021247164A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/029093
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael David MAURISAK; Makhram RAMPERSAUD
Original assignee: Verdara Technologies
Priority date: 2020-06-03
Filing date: 2021-04-26
Publication date: 2021-12-09

Abstract

A system for filtering an oil product from a fluid mixture is provided. The system includes a a plurality of filter units. A pump pressurizes a flow of fluid from a reservoir. A first valve unit selectively fluidly couples the pressurized flow from the pump to a selected filter unit. A first return line fluidly couples a retentate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir. A second valve unit selectively fluidly couples: a) a permeate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir, and b) the permeate output of the selected filter unit to an oil product collector. A controller controls operation of at least the first and second valve units.

Description

ORGANIC OIL FILTERING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates generally to oil processing, and more particularly, to an oil filtering system using a number of filter units to sequentially remove contaminants in a fluid mixture.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Oil processing occurs in a large number of industries such as oil and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals, bulk chemicals, and natural oils and products. In most cases, the oil must be extracted in some manner from a raw mixture. One application in which oil processing poses challenges is creating quality cannabinoid (CBD) oil from organic fluid mixtures. Current processing includes, among other steps, mixing cannabis with a solvent, e.g., ethanol, in an initial extraction process, and then performing a winterization process. Winterization further purifies the extract by exposing the cannabis extract through, for example, an alcohol wash, and then exposing the extract and ethanol to freezing temperatures to isolate lipids, waxes and/or terpenes from the extract. The winterization process causes the unwanted materials to isolate out of the mixture for easy removal. The winterization process can be complicated for a number of reasons. For example, some unwanted contaminants may not always isolate during the winterization process. As a result, subsequent removal processes such as filtering may not remove all of the desired contaminants to produce a high quality CBD oil. Also, and more challenging, the winterization process is not a continuous flow process, and requires batch processing. The batch processing is time consuming, and the freezing process is very expensive. Other CBD oil processing techniques, such as distillation or dewaxing, pose similar challenges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0003] An aspect of the disclosure includes a system for filtering an oil product from a fluid mixture, comprising: a reservoir; a plurality of filter units, each filter unit having a membrane configured to create a permeate output and a retentate output; a pump configured to pressurize a flow of fluid from the reservoir; a first valve unit configured to selectively fluidly couple the pressurized flow from the pump to a selected filter unit of the plurality of filter units; a first return line selectively fluidly coupling the retentate output of each of the plurality of filter units to the reservoir; a second valve unit configured to selectively fluidly couple at least one of: a) the permeate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir through a second return line, and b) the permeate output of the selected filter unit to an oil product collector; and a controller configured to control operation of at least the first and second valve units.

[0004] An aspect of the disclosure provides a system for filtering an oil product from a fluid mixture, comprising: a reservoir; a first filter unit having a first permeate output and a first retentate output; a second filter unit having a second permeate output and a second retentate output; a pump configured to pressurize a flow of fluid from the reservoir; a first valve unit configured to selectively fluidly couple the pressurized flow from the pump to one of the first filter unit and the second filter unit; a first return line selectively fluidly coupling the retentate output of one of the first filter unit and the retentate output of the second filter unit to the reservoir; a second valve unit configured to selectively fluidly couple: a) the permeate output of the first filter unit to the reservoir through a second return line, b) the permeate output of the second filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, and c) the permeate output of the second filter unit to an oil product collector; and a controller configured to control operation of at least the first and second valve units.

[0005] The illustrative aspects of the present disclosure are designed to solve the problems herein described and/or other problems not discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] These and other features of this disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the disclosure, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an oil filtering system, according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an oil filtering system, according to other embodiments of the disclosure.

[0009] It is noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] As an initial matter, in order to clearly describe the current technology it will become necessary to select certain terminology when referring to and describing relevant machine components within a filtering system. To the extent possible, common industry terminology will be used and employed in a manner consistent with its accepted meaning. Unless otherwise stated, such terminology should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context of the present application and the scope of the appended claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that often a particular component may be referred to using several different or overlapping terms. What may be described herein as being a single part may include and be referenced in another context as consisting of multiple components. Alternatively, what may be described herein as including multiple components may be referred to elsewhere as a single part.

[0011] In addition, several descriptive terms may be used regularly herein, and it should prove helpful to define these terms at the onset of this section. These terms and their definitions, unless stated otherwise, are as follows. As used herein, “downstream” and “upstream” are terms that indicate a direction relative to the flow of a fluid, such as a fluid mixture through pipes or lines in the system. The term “downstream” corresponds to the direction of flow of the fluid, and the term “upstream” refers to the direction opposite to the flow. In addition, several descriptive terms may be used regularly herein, as described below. The terms “first”, “second”, and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components.

[0012] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.

[0013] Where an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0014] As indicated above, the disclosure provides an oil filtering system. The system includes a plurality of filter units. A pump pressurizes a flow of fluid from a reservoir, and a first valve unit selectively fluidly couples the pressurized flow from the pump to a selected filter unit. Each filter unit includes a fluidized membrane to create a respective retentate output (of material that does not pass through the membrane) and a respective permeate output (of material that passes through membrane). Each filter unit can be configured to remove a different contaminant. For example, one or more first filter units may remove larger molecule contaminants, and one or more second filter units may remove smaller molecule contaminants. A first return line selectively fluidly couples a retentate output of each filter unit to the reservoir to create a feedback loop according to various operational states of the system. A second valve unit, depending for example on the conditions of the material, selectively fluidly couples: a) the permeate output of an in-use filter unit to the reservoir through a second return line to create another feedback loop, or b) the permeate output of the in-use filter unit to an oil product collector to output the finished product. A controller controls operation of at least the first and second valve units.

[0015] The system can operate in two or more states. In a first state, the system creates a number of feedback loops to remove larger molecule contaminants from the initial fluid mixture of, for example, cannabis and a solvent such as ethanol, using one or more first filter units. In the first state, the pressurized flow from the pump initially includes the organic fluid mixture, and afterwards the retentate output and the permeate output of the selected first filter unit. In the first state, the first valve unit fluidly couples the pressurized flow to the selected first filter unit and the second valve unit selectively fluidly couples the permeate output of the selected first filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, creating feedback loops for both outputs. Collectively, the first and second valve units create the feedback loops through both sides the selected first filter unit. The first state may be used until a desired amount of the large molecule contaminants are removed by one or more first filter units. That is, the first state may use any number of first filter units that sequentially remove smaller molecules. [0016] A second state of operation uses different filter units to remove smaller molecule materials, e.g., a solvent, and create the oil product. In the second state, the pressurized flow from the pump includes the retentate output and the permeate output of an in-use second filter unit, different than the first selected filter unit(s). In the second state, the first valve unit selectively fluidly couples the pressurized flow to a selected second filter unit, sending the mixture (now filtered of larger molecule materials by the first filter unit(s)) to the selected second filter unit. The second valve unit may fluidly couple the permeate output of the selected second filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, creating a feedback loop for the permeate output, where desired. As noted, the retentate output of the selected second filter unit is also returned to the reservoir through the first return line. The second state may be used until a desired amount of the smaller molecule material, e.g., solvent, has been removed, resulting in a final oil product. The second state may use any number of second filter units that sequentially remove smaller molecules.

[0017] The system can be used to process any of a variety of oils, but finds advantage relative to cannabinoid (CBD) oil. The system can be scaled from a relatively small unit (e.g., positioned on a small, portable platform or skid) to a very large, mass production system. The system can also be optionally incorporated with a variety of optional upstream and/or downstream processing systems. The system can also be optionally remotely operated. The system eliminates conventional winterization processes, and provides continuous flow processing.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system 100 for filtering an oil product 102 from a fluid mixture 104. Fluid mixture 104 may include any mixture of materials from which an oil product 102 is to be created. In one embodiment, fluid mixture 104 may include any variety of organic fluid mixtures. For example, fluid mixture 104 may include an organic material 106 and a solvent 108. Organic material 106 may include, for example, cannabis; and solvent 108 may be any now known or later developed liquid that dissolves the organic material provided. For cannabis, solvent 108 may include, for example, a liquid hydrocarbon such as butane, propane or ethanol. As used herein, “cannabis” may include any form of the Cannabaceae family of plants (e.g., Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica or Cannabis ruderalis) that can be processed to extract one or more of its constituent cannabinoids, e.g., cannabidiol or cannabinoid oil (hereinafter “CBD oil”) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis may also be referred to as hemp, although this term is often used to refer only to varieties of Cannabis cultivated for non-drug use. Fluid mixture 104 could also include other raw mixtures of materials used to create an oil product such as but not limited to crude oil. [0019] System 100 includes a reservoir 110 in which fluid mixture 104 and, subsequently, materials being processed by system 100 can be stored. Reservoir 110 may include any now known or later developed liquid storage receptacle or container such as but not limited to a stainless steel tank. Reservoir 110 is configured to receive fluid mixture 104, e.g., through an opening and/or various feed lines, and may include any form of vent 112, required. Reservoir 110 also includes an output 114 through which fluid mixture 104 may flow under the influence of gravity and/or a pump 116. [0020] Pump 116 may include any now known or later developed pump configured to pressurize a flow of fluid from reservoir 110, e.g., a bidirectional pump, a variable speed pump, or the like Pump 116 may include, for example, an electric industrial pump. The pressure range that pump 116 can create will vary depending on the type of fluid mixture 104 being processed, the contaminants to be removed, and the types of filter units being used.

[0021] System 100 also includes a plurality of filter units 120, 130. For purposes of description, filter units are referenced as either larger-molecule, first filter unit(s) 120 or smaller-molecule, second filter unit(s) 130. Generally speaking, first filter unit(s) 120 remove larger molecules, and second filter unit(s) 130 remove smaller molecules. Within each type of filter unit, i.e., larger- molecule or smaller-molecule, filter units may filter different sized molecules. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which there are one of each of first and second filter units 120, 130; they are labeled 120A, 130B where reference to the FIG. 1 embodiment is necessary. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which there are more than one of each of first filter unit 120 and second filter unit 130 (i.e., more than two filter units); they are labeled, 220A, 220B and 230A, 230B where reference to the FIG. 2 embodiment is necessary. Each filter unit 120, 130 includes a membrane 122, 132, respectively, that includes very small pores that filter separate molecules not only by size, but also shape. A portion of a pressurized fluid flow works its way into and through the fluidized membrane to become a “permeate output”; and a portion of fluid with molecules that do not pass through the membrane become a “retentate output.” Each first filter unit 120 creates or includes a retentate output 124 and a permeate output 126, and each second filter unit 130 creates or includes a retentate output 134 and a permeate output 136. Each output includes a liquid that exits through a respective opening (not numbered) in a respective housing 128, 138 of respective first and second filter units 120, 130. The types of filter units used may vary depending on the type of fluid mixture 104 to be processed. In one example, where fluid mixture includes an organic fluid mixture including cannabis 106 and solvent 108, first filter unit(s) 120 may each include one or more PuraMem® model organic solvent nanofilters (OSN), available from Evonik Corporation. In this manner, first filter unit(s) 120 includes a first OSN configured to remove at least one of: waxes, lipids, fats from fluid mixture 104 to produce first permeate 126 that includes a cannabidiol or cannabinoid oil (hereinafter “CBD oil”) and solvent 108. Further, second filter unit(s) 130 may include one or more DuraMem® model OSNs available from Evonik Corporation. In this manner, second filter unit(s) 130 may each include a second OSN configured to remove solvent 108 to produce permeate 136 that includes CBD oil. As will be described, depending on the quality thereof, permeate 136 may be a precursor to oil product 102 or constitute oil product 102. While particular filters have been described herein, it will be recognized that a variety of alternative filters may also be used. Where more than one filter unit 220A-B, 230A-B is used, as shown in FIG. 2, each unit may use a different filter. In this manner, each sequentially-employed filter unit may remove smaller and smaller molecules, thus allowing filter units 120, 130 to progressively filter the flow.

[0022] System 100 also includes a first valve unit 140. First valve unit 140 generally controls which of filter unit(s) 120, 130 is receiving pressurized flow 142 from pump 116 and reservoir 110. First valve unit 140 is configured to selectively fluidly couple pressurized flow 142 from pump 116 to a ‘selected filter unit’ of the plurality of filter units, i.e., to a selected first filter unit 120 or a selected second filter unit 130. “Selected filter unit” as used herein indicates a filter unit receiving an input from pump 116. First valve unit 140 may include one or more valves 144. In FIG. 1, one valve 144 is capable of selectively fluidly coupling pressurized flow 142 from pump 116 to either a filter unit 120A or 130A, i.e., it can direct an input to one of two outputs. As shown in FIG. 2, where more than one of first and/or second filter units 220A-B, 230A-B are provided, first valve unit 140 may include a valve 144 for each filter unit 220A-B, 230A-B, i.e., with one input and one output. It is recognized that first valve unit 140 may include more complicated valves to reduce the number of valves required, e.g., valves with one input with multiple selective outputs.

[0023] As will be described in greater detail, system 100 may also include a first return line 160 fluidly coupling retentate output 124, 134 of filter units 120, 130 to reservoir 110. First return line 160 thus creates a feedback loop for retentate outputs 124, 134 of each filter unit 120, 130.

[0024] System 100 may also include a second valve unit 150. Second valve unit 150 generally controls return of permeate outputs 126, 136 of filter units 120, 130 to reservoir 110 through a second return line 152 that is selectively fluidly coupled to reservoir 110, but also controls output of oil product 102. Hence, second valve unit 150 allows for further processing of permeate outputs 126, 136 by filter units 120 or 130, or output of oil product 102. Second valve unit 150 is configured to selectively fluidly couple: a) permeate output 126, 136 of the selected filter unit (e.g., in FIG. 2: 220A, 220B, 230A or 230B) to reservoir 110 through a second return line 152, or b) permeate output 136 of the selected filter unit (typically one of second filter units 230A or 230B) to an oil product collector 158. Oil product collector 158 may include any now known or later developed liquid storage receptacle or container such as but not limited to a stainless steel tank. Second return line 152 may include any now known or later developed piping appropriate for the materials in permeate outputs 126, 136, e.g., stainless steel pipe.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, second valve unit 150 may include a first valve 154 operatively coupled to a controller 180, described herein, to selectively fluidly couple the permeate output 126, 136 of the selected filter unit to second return line 152. For the FIG. 1 embodiment, first valve 154 selectively fluidly couples at least one of permeate output 126 of first filter unit 120A and permeate output 136 of second filter unit 130A to second return line 152. Second valve unit 150 may also include a second valve 156 downstream of first valve 154 and operatively coupled to controller 180 to selectively fluidly couple the permeate output 126, 136 of the selected filter unit to reservoir 110 through second return line 152, or permeate output 126, 136 to oil product collector 158. For the FIG. 1 embodiment, second valve 156 selectively fluidly couples: permeate output 126 of first filter unit 120A to reservoir 110 through second return line 152, permeate output 136 of second filter unit 130A to reservoir 110 through second return line 152, or permeate output 136 of second filter unit 130A to oil product collector 158. In the first case, second valve 156 allows for feedback of permeate output 126 for further processing, e.g., by first filter unit 120A, and in the second case, second valve 156 allows for feedback of permeate output 136 for further processing, e.g., by second filter unit 130A. In the latter case, as will be described, second valve 156 may allow output of permeate output 136 as oil product 102, i.e., where no further filtering is required. As shown in FIG. 2, where more than one second filter unit 130A-B is used, each filter unit may include its own respective first valve 154. It is recognized that second valve unit 150 may include more complicated valves to reduce the number of valves required, e.g., valves with one input with multiple selective outputs. Valves used in system 100 may include any now known or later developed controller operable valves, e.g., pneumatic valves, electric/solenoid valves, etc.

[0026] As noted, first return line 160 selectively fluidly couples retentate output 124, 134 of the selected filter unit to reservoir 110. That is, first return line 160 selectively fluidly couples a retentate output 124 of a first filter unit 120 or a retentate output 134 of a second filter unit 130 to reservoir 110. First return line 150 may include any now known or later developed piping appropriate for the materials in retentate outputs 124, 134, e.g., stainless steel pipe. A third valve unit 162 in first return line 160 may also be optionally provided. Third valve unit 162 may be operatively coupled to controller 180 to selectively fluidly couple a retentate output 126 of a first filter unit 120 or a retentate output 136 of a second filter unit 130 to first return line 160. In some cases, third valve unit 162 may be omitted, and a check valve employed.

[0027] In one optional embodiment, a heat exchanger 170 may be upstream of reservoir 110 and in first return line 160. Controller 180 may be configured to control operation of heat exchanger 170. Heat exchanger 170 may be provided where a temperature of retentate output 126 or 136 must be controlled, e.g., to maintain a viscosity of the flow. In another optional embodiment, system 100 may also include a pressure regulator 172 in first return line 160 upstream of heat exchanger 170. Pressure regulator 172 may be configured to direct retentate output 126, 136 of the selected filter unit (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2, a retentate output 126 of a first filter unit 120 or a retentate output 136 of a second filter unit 130) to a heat exchanger bypass line 174 in fluid communication with reservoir 110 in response to a pressure in first return line 160 exceeding a threshold.

[0028] In another optional embodiment, a cooling jacket 176 may be upstream of first and second filter units 120 and 130. Cooling jacket 176 is capable of accepting chilled liquid from a commercially available liquid chiller 178. The cooling of pressurized flow 142 helps to prepare the liquid for proper membrane separation by filter units 120 and 130. Controller 180 may be configured to control operation of cooling jacket 176. In certain embodiments, cooling jacket 176 may only be operated, for example, where a temperature of pressured flow 142 is too high.

[0029] As noted, system 100 also includes a controller 180 configured to control operation of at least first and second valve units 140, 150. More particularly, controller 180 can control practically any part of system 100, e.g., any valve of units 140, 150, heat exchanger 170, pump 116, valves (not shown) that control fluid mixture 104 intake, etc. System 100 may also include a plurality of sensors 182 configured to determine any of a variety of parameters that can be used to control operation of system 100. The parameters may include, for example, an operational parameter of system 100, and/or a material parameter of any of the fluids in system such as fluid mixture 104, permeate output(s) 126, 136 of first filter unit(s) 120 or second filter unit(s) 130 respectively, and retentate output(s) 124, 134 of first filter unit(s) 120 or second filter unit(s) 130. Practically any operational parameter of system 100 can be measured such as but not limited to: filter unit status (e.g., membrane operability, permeate production, etc.), pump status, valve status, reservoir volume/level, heat exchanger status/temperature, differential pressure across a membrane, and pressure regulator status. Practically any material parameter(s) (retentate and/or permeate) of system 100 can be measured such as but not limited to: density, flow rate, temperature, pressure, viscosity, large molecule concentration, or small molecule concentration, total flow, volume flow, etc. Controller 180 operates at least first and second valve units 140, 150 based data from the plurality of sensors 182. Sample taps 184 for the retentate and permeate stream allow for collection of the materials without disruption of the process flow.

[0030] Controller 180 may include any now known or later developed programmable logic controller (PLC) or programmable controller, i.e., a digital computer adapted for industrial use in the control of manufacturing processes that require reliability, programming ease, feedback-based control and/or process fault diagnosis. In one embodiment, controller 180 is configured to control operation of at least first and second valve units 140, 150 between a number of states, e.g., at least two states. Controller 180 may control operation of first and second control valve units based on data from sensor(s) 182. Each state may generally indicate a size of the molecules being filtered. [0031] In a first state, a selected filter unit is used to filter fluid mixture 104 as it is initially created in reservoir 110, or as it has been partially filtered previously by the selected filter unit. Hence, the first state typically uses one or more first filter units 120 to remove larger molecules. Here, pressurized flow 142 from pump 116 includes: fluid mixture 104 (as initially created in reservoir 110 by solvent 108 and organic material 106), or a retentate output 124 and a permeate output 126 of the selected filter unit, which is typically a first filter unit 120 as illustrated. For the FIG. 1 embodiment, the selected filter unit would be the only first filter unit 120A, and for the FIG. 2 embodiment, the selected filter unit would be one of the first filter units 220A, 220B. Controller 180 sets first valve unit 140 to selectively fluidly couple pressurized flow 142 to the selected filter unit and second valve unit 150 to selectively fluidly couple permeate output 126 of the selected filter unit to reservoir 110 through second return line 152. For example, for the FIG. 1 embodiment, controller 180 sets first valve unit 140 to selectively fluidly couple pressurized flow 142 to the only first filter unit 120A and second valve unit 150 to selectively fluidly couple permeate output 126 of the only first filter unit 120A to reservoir 110 through second return line 152. First return line 160 selectively fluidly couples the retentate output of the selected filter unit, e.g., a first filter unit 120A, to reservoir 110. (Where provided, controller 180 operates third valve unit 162 to selectively fluidly couple retentate output 124 of first filter unit 120 to first return line 160 and reservoir 110). In this manner, fluid mixture 104 initially passes into the selected filter unit, e.g., a first filter unit 120A, and is filtered to create a permeate output, e.g., permeate output 126. Material that cannot pass through the membrane of the selected filter unit (e.g., membrane 122 of a first filter unit 120A) becomes a retentate output (e.g., retentate output 124) and is returned to reservoir 110 through first return line 160. Then, pressurized flow 142 becomes a retentate output and permeate output of the selected filter unit, and the process continues removing unwanted material such as waxes, lipids and fats from the mixture using a membrane (e.g., 122) to capture the unwanted materials. The first state can continue as long as desired to remove the desired amount of unwanted material.

[0032] In certain embodiments, a density sensor (one of sensors 182) determines a density (e.g., actual density or concentration) of at least one of a retentate output and a permeate output of the selected filter unit, and controller 180 changes from the selected filter unit to a next state and/or a next, smaller molecule filter unit in response to the density thereof exceeding a threshold. For example, a density sensor (one of sensors 182) may determine a density (e.g., actual density or concentration) of at least one of retentate output 124 and permeate output 126 of a last one of first filter unit(s) 220B (FIG. 2), and controller 180 may change from the first state to the second state (described herein) in response to the density of thereof exceeding a threshold. In this manner, the density threshold can be configured to denote a point at which satisfactory or maximum filtering by a selected filter unit, e.g., first filter unit(s) 220B, has been achieved, and additional filtering carried out by a subsequent filter unit for smaller molecules. Other sensor data, as listed herein, can also be used to control operation.

[0033] In an illustrative second state, pressurized flow 142 from pump 116 may include, on a first pass, the retentate output and the permeate output of a selected first filter unit 120, but thereafter includes retentate output 134 and permeate output 136 of a subsequent filter unit (another first filter unit 102 or a second filter unit 130). For the FIG. 2 embodiment, pressurized flow 142 initially includes retentate output 124 and permeate output 126 of a first filter unit 220A, but thereafter may include retentate output 124 and permeate output 126 of another first filter unit 220B. Here, controller 180 sets first valve unit 140 to selectively fluidly couple pressurized flow 142 to a selected, second filter unit 130A (FIG. 1), 230A-B (FIG. 2), and second valve unit 150 to selectively fluidly couple permeate output 136 of the selected second filter unit 130A (FIG. 1), 130A-B (FIG. 2) to reservoir 110 through second return line 152. First return line 160 selectively fluidly couples retentate output 136 of the selected, second filter unit 130A (FIG. 1), 230A-B (FIG. 2) to reservoir 110. (Where provided, controller 180 operates third valve unit 162 to selectively fluidly couple retentate output 136 of second filter unit 130A, 230A-B to first return line 160 and reservoir 110).

In this manner, the product of first filter unit 120 initially passes into a second filter unit 130A, 230A-B and is filtered to create permeate output 136. Material that cannot pass through membrane 132 becomes retentate output 134 and is returned to reservoir 110 through first return line 160.

Then, pressurized flow 142 becomes a previously filtering steps retentate output 134 and permeate output 136, and the process continues removing unwanted material such as solvent 108 in the mixture using membrane 132 to capture the unwanted materials. The second state can continue as long as desired to remove the desired amount of unwanted material, e.g., solvent 108.

[0034] A third state may include collecting oil product 102 after determining that no further filtering is required. In certain embodiments, a density sensor (one of sensors 182) determines a density of at least one of retentate output 134 and permeate output 136 of the selected second filter unit 130, and controller 180 operates second valve 150 to selectively fluidly couple permeate output 136 of the selected second filter unit 130 to oil product collector 158 in response to the density of permeate output 136 of second filter unit 130 exceeding a threshold. In this third state, pressurized flow 142 from pump 116 includes retentate output 134 and permeate output 136 of the selected, second filter unit 130, and first return line 160 fluidly couples retentate output 136 of selected, second filter unit 130 to the reservoir. Further, first valve unit 140 fluidly couples pressurized flow 142 to the selected, second filter unit 130. In contrast to the second state, second valve unit 150 fluidly couples permeate output 136 of selected, second filter unit 130 to oil product container 158. In this manner, the density threshold can be configured to denote a point at which satisfactory or maximum filtering by second filter unit 130 has been achieved. In this case, it also indicates creation of the final, desired oil product 102.

[0035] System 100 may include a number of features to preserve the integrity and operability of membrane(s) 122, 132. In one non-limiting example, controller 180 may implement various controlled flow and/or pressurization protocols such as but not limited to operational ramp up or ramp down protocols (using a variable frequency drive with pump 116 to slowly increase/decrease flow and/or pressure to membrane(s) 122, 132), and specific pressure control regulation protocols. System 100 may also include a number of safety features such as but not limited to pressure regulators 172 (e.g., over-pressure safety valve(s)); differential pressure checks; process fluid temperature control via heat exchanger 170; and/or pressure monitoring (via sensors 182) for pressure spikes.

[0036] Unwanted material/contaminants can be removed from system 100 in a number of ways. In one embodiment, a retentate discharge valve unit 190 may be positioned upstream of reservoir 110 and in first return line 160. Retentate discharge valve unit 190 is operatively coupled to controller 180 to selectively fluidly couple retentate output 126, 136 of first filter unit 120 and/or second filter unit 130 to a discharge element 192. Discharge element 192 may include any now known or later developed liquid storage receptacle or container such as but not limited to a stainless steel tank. Membranes 122, 132 may also be removed and/or cleaned to remove any unwanted material/contaminants. In addition thereto, or as an alternative, in an embodiment, system 100 may include a reservoir drain valve 194 upstream of pump 110. Reservoir drain valve 94 is operatively coupled to controller 180 to selectively fluidly couple reservoir 110 to a drain element 196. Drain element 196 may include any now known or later developed liquid storage receptacle or container such as but not limited to a stainless steel tank, or a sewer drain, appropriate for the materials to be disposed. A cleaning state may include running a cleaning agent through any of system 100. In one non-limiting example, the cleaning state may include filling reservoir 1101 with a cleaning solvent; operating system 100 with the cleaning solvent for a designated period of time; and stopping operation, ensuring that remnants of the cleaning solvent remain engaged with the membrane(s) 122, 132, i.e., the membranes remain wet. Other cleaning processes may also be employed.

[0037] In an optional embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-2, reservoir 110 may be selectively fluidly coupled to an upstream processing system 200 that provides at least part of fluid mixture 104. Upstream processing system 200 may include any now known or later developed oil processing system that processes fluid mixture 104 and/or any part thereof, e.g., organic material 106, or solvent 108. In any event, upstream processing system 200 may be operatively coupled to controller 100 such that controller 180 can receive data regarding fluid mixture 104 or part(s) thereof, e.g., incoming temperature, constituents, etc. Similarly, in another optional embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-2, oil product collector 158 may be selectively fluidly coupled to a downstream processing system 202 that further processes oil product 102. Downstream processing system 202 may include any now known or later developed oil processing system that further processes oil product 102, e.g., packaging, additional de-colorization, additional evaporation, etc. Downstream processing system 202 may be operatively coupled to controller 180 to receive data regarding oil product 102, e.g., type of product, quality level, temperature, etc.

[0038] In another optional embodiment, system 100 may be operatively coupled to a remote monitoring system 210 operatively coupled to plurality of sensors 182. Remote monitoring system 210 may be configured to provide remote control of at least controller 180 based on operational parameter(s) of system 100 and/or material parameter(s) of the material being processed. Remote monitoring system 210 may provide any form of diagnostics, analysis, etc., not already provided by system 100. Remote monitoring system 210 may be located in any geographic location distant from system 100, and may be coupled to system 100 using any now known or later developed network 212.

[0039] System 100 may be provided on a portable frame or skid (not shown). The frame is structurally capable of supporting the structure described herein, and may be sized to ease of movement of system, e.g., through a standard door.

[0040] Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system 100 for oil filtration that produces a high quality oil product using filtration in a manner that can eliminate winterization processes, e.g., for CBD oil production. System 100 provides a continuous flow processing for CBD oil, removing the complexity and expense of batch processing for winterization. Any number of filter units can be employed to provide progressive filtering of smaller molecules. Any variety of operating or material parameters can be measured by sensors 182 and used to control operation of system 100.

In this manner, sensor feedback and control can be used to customize/tune oil product 102. While system 100 has been described as applied to CBD oil production, the disclosure can be applied to any oil processing application, e.g., oil and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals, bulk chemicals and other natural oils and products. In addition to removing of contaminants such as waxes, lipids and fats, oil product 102 produced by system 100 may reduce the need for additional de-colorization and/or evaporation processes.

[0041] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged; such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. “Approximately” as applied to a particular value of a range applies to both end values, and unless otherwise dependent on the precision of the instrument measuring the value, may indicate +/- 10% of the stated value(s).

[0042] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for filtering an oil product from a fluid mixture, comprising: a reservoir; a plurality of filter units, each filter unit having a membrane configured to create a permeate output and a retentate output; a pump configured to pressurize a flow of fluid from the reservoir; a first valve unit configured to selectively fluidly couple the pressurized flow from the pump to a selected filter unit of the plurality of filter units; a first return line selectively fluidly coupling the retentate output of each of the plurality of filter units to the reservoir; a second valve unit configured to selectively fluidly couple at least one of: a) the permeate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir through a second return line, and b) the permeate output of the selected filter unit to an oil product collector; and a controller configured to control operation of at least the first and second valve units.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of at least the first and second valve units between at least: a first state in which the pressurized flow from the pump includes at least one of the fluid mixture, and the retentate output and the permeate output of the selected filter unit, and wherein: the first valve unit fluidly couples the pressurized flow to the selected filter unit, the second valve unit fluidly couples the permeate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, and the first return line fluidly couples the retentate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir; and a second state in which the pressurized flow from the pump includes the retentate output and the permeate output of the selected filter unit, and wherein: the first valve unit fluidly couples the pressurized flow to the selected filter unit, the second valve unit fluidly couples the permeate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, and the first return line fluidly couples the retentate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of at least the first and second valve units between the first state, the second and a third state, wherein in the third state: the pressurized flow from the pump includes the retentate output and the permeate output of the selected filter unit, the first return line fluidly couples the retentate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir, the first valve unit fluidly couples the pressurized flow to the selected filter unit, and the second valve unit fluidly couples the permeate output of the selected filter unit to an oil product container.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a parameter sensor configured to determine a parameter of the permeate output of the selected filter unit, wherein the controller changes from the second state to the third state in response to the parameter of the permeate output of the selected filter unit exceeding a threshold; and wherein the parameter comprises at least one of: density, flow rate, temperature, pressure, viscosity, large molecule concentration, or small molecule concentration, total flow, and volume flow.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of filter units includes more than two filter units.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a density sensor configured to determine a density of at least one of the retentate output and the permeate output of the selected filter unit, wherein the controller changes from the selected filter unit to a subsequent filter unit in response to the density of the at least one of the retentate output and the permeate output of the selected filter unit exceeding a threshold.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the fluid mixture includes at least: a cannabis and a solvent, the permeate of the selected filter unit in the first state includes a cannabinoid oil and the solvent, and the permeate of the second filter unit in the second state includes the cannabinoid oil.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of filter units includes: a first filter unit including a first organic solvent nanofilter (OSN) configured to remove at least one of: waxes, lipids, fats; and a second filter unit including a second OSN configured to remove a solvent.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first filter unit includes a plurality of first OSNs configured to remove the at least one of: waxes, lipids, fats; and the second filter unit includes a plurality of second OSNs configured to remove the solvent.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second valve unit includes: a first valve operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple the permeate output of the selected filter unit to the second return line; and a second valve downstream of the first valve and operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple one of: the permeate output of the selected filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, and the permeate output of the selected filter unit to the oil product collector.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger upstream of the reservoir and in the first return line, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the heat exchanger.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a pressure regulator in the first return line upstream of the heat exchanger, the pressure regulator configured to direct the retentate output of the plurality of filter units to a heat exchanger bypass line in fluid communication with the reservoir in response to a pressure in the first return line exceeding a threshold.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cooling jacket upstream of the plurality of filter units.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a retentate discharge valve upstream of the reservoir and in the first return line, the retentate discharge valve operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple the retentate output of the selected filter unit to a discharge element.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third valve unit in the first return line, the third valve unit operatively coupled to the controller to fluidly couple the retentate output of each of the plurality of filter units to the first return line.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir drain valve upstream of the pump, the reservoir drain valve operatively coupled to the controller to fluidly couple the reservoir to a drain element.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensors configured to determine at least one of: an operational parameter of part of the system and a material parameter of at least one of: the fluid mixture, the permeate output of a selected filter unit, and the retentate output of the selected filter unit, and wherein the controller operates at least the first and second valve units based on data from the plurality of sensors.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a remote monitoring system operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors, the remote monitoring system configured to provide remote control of at least the controller based on at least one of the operational parameter of the system and the material parameter.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is fluidly coupled to an upstream processing system that provides at least part of the fluid mixture, wherein the upstream processing system is operatively coupled to the controller to receive data regarding the at least part of the fluid mixture.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the oil product collector is fluidly coupled to a downstream processing system that further processes the oil product, wherein the downstream processing system is operatively coupled to the controller to receive data regarding the oil product.

21. A system for filtering an oil product from a fluid mixture, comprising: a reservoir; a first filter unit having a first permeate output and a first retentate output; a second filter unit having a second permeate output and a second retentate output; a pump configured to pressurize a flow of fluid from the reservoir; a first valve unit configured to selectively fluidly couple the pressurized flow from the pump to a selected filter unit of the first filter unit and the second filter unit; a first return line selectively fluidly coupling the retentate output of the first filter unit and the retentate output of the second filter unit to the reservoir; a second valve unit configured to selectively fluidly couple: a) the permeate output of the first filter unit to the reservoir through a second return line, b) the permeate output of the second filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, and c) the permeate output of the second filter unit to an oil product collector; and a controller configured to control operation of at least the first and second valve units.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of at least the first and second valve units between at least: a first state in which the pressurized flow from the pump includes at least one of the fluid mixture, the retentate output of the first filter unit and the permeate output of the first filter unit, and wherein the first valve unit selectively fluidly couples the pressurized flow to the first filter unit and the second valve unit selectively fluidly couples the permeate output of the first filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, and the first return line selectively fluidly couples the retentate output of the first filter unit to the reservoir; and a second state in which the pressurized flow from the pump includes the retentate output and the permeate output of the second filter unit, and wherein the first valve unit selectively fluidly couples the pressurized flow to the second filter unit and the second valve unit selectively fluidly couples the permeate output of the second filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, and the first return line selectively fluidly couples the retentate output of the second filter unit to the reservoir.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a parameter sensor configured to determine a density of at least one of the retentate output and the permeate output of the first filter unit, wherein the controller changes from the second state to the third state in response to the parameter of the permeate output of the selected filter unit exceeding a threshold; and wherein the parameter comprises at least one of: density, flow rate, temperature, pressure, viscosity, large molecule concentration, or small molecule concentration, total flow, and volume flow.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the second valve unit includes: a first valve operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple at least one of the permeate output of the first filter unit and the permeate output of the second filter unit to the second return line; and a second valve downstream of the first valve and operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple one of: the permeate output of the first filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, the permeate output of the second filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, and the permeate output of the second filter unit to the oil product collector.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising a density sensor configured to determine a density of the permeate output of the second filter unit, and wherein the controller operates the second valve to selectively fluidly couple the permeate output of the second filter unit to the oil product collector in response to the density of the permeate output of the second filter unit exceeding a threshold.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the second valve unit includes: a first valve operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple at least one of the permeate output of the first filter unit and the permeate output of the second filter unit to the second return line; and a second valve downstream of the first valve and operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple one of: the permeate output of the first filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, the permeate output of the second filter unit to the reservoir through the second return line, and the permeate output of the second filter unit to the oil product collector.

27. The system of claim 21, further comprising a heat exchanger upstream of the reservoir and in the first return line, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the heat exchanger.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising a pressure regulator in the first return line upstream of the heat exchanger, the pressure regulator configured to direct one of the retentate output of the first filter unit and the retentate output of the second filter unit to a heat exchanger bypass line in fluid communication with the reservoir in response to a pressure in the first return line exceeding a threshold.

29. The system of claim 21, further comprising a cooling jacket upstream of the plurality of filter units.

30. The system of claim 21, further comprising a retentate discharge valve upstream of the reservoir and in the first return line, the retentate discharge valve operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple the retentate output of at least one of the first filter unit and the second filter unit to a discharge element.

31. The system of claim 21, further comprising a third valve unit in the first return line, the third valve unit operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple one of the retentate output of the first filter unit and the retentate output of the second filter unit to the first return line.

32. The system of claim 21, further comprising a reservoir drain valve upstream of the pump, the reservoir drain valve operatively coupled to the controller to selectively fluidly couple the reservoir to a drain element.

33. The system of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of sensors configured to determine at least one of: an operational parameter of the system and a material parameter of at least one of: the fluid mixture, the permeate output of the first filter unit or the second filter unit, and the retentate output of the first filter unit or the second filter unit, and wherein the controller operates at least the first and second valve units based on data from the plurality of sensors.

34. The system of claim 32, further comprising a remote monitoring system operatively coupled to the plurality of sensors, the remote monitoring system configured to provide remote control of at least the controller based on at least one of the operational parameter of the system and the material parameter.

35. The system of claim 21, wherein the fluid mixture includes at least: a cannabis and a solvent, the first permeate includes a cannabinoid oil and the solvent, and the second permeate includes the cannabinoid oil.

36. The system of claim 21, wherein the first filter unit includes a first organic solvent nanofilter (OSN) configured to remove at least one of: waxes, lipids, fats from the fluid mixture, and each second filter unit includes a second OSN configured to remove a solvent from the permeate output of the first filter unit.

37. The system of claim 21, wherein the reservoir is selectively fluidly coupled to an upstream processing system that provides at least part of the fluid mixture, wherein the upstream processing system is operatively coupled to the controller to receive data regarding the at least part of the fluid mixture.

38. The system of claim 21, wherein the oil product collector is selectively fluidly coupled to a downstream processing system that further processes the oil product, wherein the downstream processing system is operatively coupled to the controller to receive data regarding the oil product.