Solvent extraction of vegetable materials is a well known method for the production of valuable oleoresins, essential oils, pigments and other natural products.

Two standard units are available for the small-scale production of natural extracts. Larger units can be built to special order, using QVF's considerable experience to match the plant exactly to the client's requirements.

It is also possible to use the unit to purify, by distillation, volatile extracted products or contaminated solvent.

The diagram above shows the basic operation of the unit. The solid to be extracted is placed in a basket suspended in the extraction vessel. Solvent, fed to the boiler, is heated and distilled off. It runs from the condenser, via the reflux head, into the extraction vessel where it percolates through the solid to be extracted. Solvent loaded with extract then returns, via a seal loop, to the boiler, where it is evaporated again. This cycle continues until the extraction is complete.

At the end of the extraction process the extract may be concentrated in the boiler by final evaporation of the solvent, which is recovered in the receiver.

The unit may also be used for other extraction operations, such as leaching, maceration or infusion, with hot or cold solvent, and for pilot work prior to the construction of a full-scale plant.

In addition, the equipment may be used as a batch distillation unit, for the recovery of mixed solvents or for the fractionation of essential oils.

Approximate Dimensions

	20L Unit	50L Unit
Height	10 ft.	13 ft.
Width	3.6 ft.	4 ft.
Depth	3 ft.	3.3 ft.
Weight	600 lb.	990 lb.

Technical Details of Standard Units

Models		20L	50L
Heater Options	Electrically heated mantle Series TM	P = 1550 W - 115V	P = 4000 W - 230V
	Electrically heated mantle Series STM	P = 3000 W - 115V	P = 8000 W - 230V
Heater Optional Accessories	Poncho Safety Sheild	Seals flask in mantle, greatly reducing fire hazard. Protects flask from falling objects. Insulates top of flask; additional insulation available.
	Automatic Gas Purging System	Additional protection when processing flammables. Uses argon or clean air. Has cooling cycle to shorten waiting time after heating process.
Boiler		Capacity = 20L	Capacity = 50L
Column		Diameter = 50mm Height = 1200mm	Diameter = 80mm Height = 1500mm
Packing		Raschig rings 8mm x 8mm Other materials available	Raschig rings 10mm x 10mm Other materials available
Extraction vessel		7 liters, 100mm diameter Glass fiber cloth bags	15 liters, 150mm diameter Glass fiber cloth bags
Glass Coil Condenser		Diameter = 50mm Heat transfer area = 3 ft2	Diameter = 100mm Heat transfer area = 5 ft2
Reflux Head		Manual diameter 50mm	Manual diameter 80mm
Solvent Feed		20L flask	50L flask
Solvent Collection		10L flask	20L flask
Support Structure		Galvanized steel pipe Stainless Steel available	Galvanized steel pipe Stainless Steel available
Utilities	Electrical Cooling Water Vacuum	See above 3.5 gpm maximum at 30psig 175 ft3/h vacuum pump(on req)	See above 6.7 gpm maximum at 30psig 175 ft3/h vacuum pump(on req)

This Process Profile supersedes all previous issues.

QVF Process Systems pursues a policy of continuous product improvement. We therefore reserve the right to alter any product or process as described and illustrated.