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Apeks Supercritical CO2 Extraction Machines: What makes them different?
The power of CO2 extraction.
Apeks Supercritical botanical oil extraction machines utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) because it yields cleaner, purer extractions. It leaves no trace behind like other solvents, such as propane and butane or alcohol/ethanol mixtures. This is critically important, particularly in medicinal products. Commonly used in many types of commercial processing, CO2 is a safe, highly versatile and efficient solvent. Sustainable too in closed-loop Apeks extractors where the CO2 recycles back into the storage cannisters at the end of each extraction run.
Apeks CO2 extraction machines can extract terpenes (scents), which are very popular in vape pens and other products. Our customers often do a terpene run, harvest the extract, continue running subcritically (low pressure, low temperature), harvest that extract, and finally, finish off with a supercritical run (high pressure, high temperature). This way, they’re getting everything out of the plant that they can. Each extract is handled differently. The terpene run extract can go directly into a vape pen because the oils are light, fragrant, and pure. Oils extracted supercritically containing more from the plant material require post-processing to remove the fats, waxes and lipids extracted along with the oil. Read more about how cbd oil is made.
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Diaphragm Compressor Technology: The science behind higher-quality, higher-quantity yields.
Our systems feature the Apeks Diaphragm Compressor Technology which utilizes cold separation processing powered by an energy-efficient gas pump. Cold separation means that the separator vessel can maintain lower (cold) temperatures necessary for preserving the terpenes in plant oils, resulting in higher-quality and higher-quantity extractions. Whereas competitor liquid-pump systems place harmful high temperatures in the separation vessel which “cooks” the collected oil, producing dark, thermally-damaged oils.
There are significant differences between liquid and gas pumping. Liquid is an easier pumping mechanism because liquid is 10 times denser than gas; however, liquid pumping actually consumes more energy over the entirety of an extraction run. As is prevalent in this industry, wild claims are made about the increase in yield with liquid pumping, but proponents neglect to mention the increase in energy consumption, and higher temperatures causing thermal degradation.
Liquid CO2 must be converted to a gaseous phase in order to extract plant oils. Phase changes require a significant amount of heating and cooling. That’s why the Apeks Diaphragm Compressor Technology gas pumping system with regenerative heat exchange is designed to capture the hot and cold air which offset each other. This eliminates the need for an additional heater/chiller and typically consumes about 33% less energy than other manufacturers’ extraction equipment.
For more technical information about the Diaphragm Compressor technology, click here.
Watch this video about the benefits of cold separation:
Full Automation: Apeks systems do the work for you.
Fully automated, Apeks Supercritical CO2 extractor machines keep costs down because it is not necessary for processors to employ a full-time operator to man the machine during runs. Just set the extraction parameters, press start and you’re good to go.
Another key benefit our fully automated systems offer is data-acquisition software which precisely enters data points during an extraction so processors can track, verify and record temperature and pressure variations allowing greater control of the quality and consistency of extractions. Tracking the runs also helps when troubleshooting, since all the records are available to Apeks Supercritical Customer Support and Service staff. We can access your system online, review past runs, and determine what the problem may be.
Apeks is the leading CO2 extraction manufacturer and offers a wide selection of extraction equipment to meet the needs of all cannabis extraction businesses (or any botanical extractor). Our Introductory models can get you started and when you’re ready to scale up, we have Mid-range and High Production systems, capable of processing up to 100 pounds of material per day.
Watch the video to see how easy it is to start an Apeks system:
Other information about Apeks systems.
Apeks Supercritical is a leading manufacturer of CO2 extraction equipment, offering a wide selection to meet the needs of all cannabis (or any botanical) extraction businesses. Our Introductory models can get you started. When you’re ready to scale up, 75% of the purchase price of an Introductory system can be used as a trade-in credit towards our Mid-range and High Production systems, capable of processing up to 100 pounds of material per day!
Download a price list today!
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Apeks Supercritical extraction systems use carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent to extract oil from botanical plant material because it yields safer, cleaner and purer oil.