Chinese medicine extraction and concentration unit

The multifunctional extraction and concentration unit, also known as the stainless steel extraction and concentration unit, is essentially a multifunctional processing system that integrates extraction and concentration. Generally, traditional Chinese medicine factories or biological extraction departments use thermal reflux multi-functional extraction and concentration units or small-scale extraction and concentration equipment. However, these small multifunctional extraction and concentration units mostly use electric heating, while thermal reflux typically employs steam heating, which allows for efficient utilization of steam and is beneficial for energy conservation. The multifunctional extraction and concentration unit is most commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry, with the multi-functional extraction and concentration unit for traditional Chinese medicine being the most prevalent.

It can be used for various process operations such as atmospheric pressure, water decoction, wet immersion, thermal reflux, cyclic percolation, essential oil extraction and organic solvent recovery in the pharmaceutical, pigment, food and beverage, animal and plant, chemical industries. It complies with GMP pharmaceutical standards and is mainly suitable for laboratory research and development and pilot production lines of universities, research institutes and enterprises.

1. The equipment is mainly composed of extraction tank, external circulation single-effect concentrator and other auxiliary equipment. It has a compact structure, convenient operation and integrates extraction, concentration and solvent recovery.
2. The equipment is fully functional and suitable for water extraction and alcohol extraction. It can perform atmospheric pressure and vacuum extraction and recover volatile oil. Equipped with a vacuum converter and control box, it is easy to operate and can achieve the process requirements of atmospheric temperature extraction and low temperature concentration, atmospheric temperature extraction and atmospheric temperature concentration, and low temperature extraction and low temperature concentration.
3. The oil-water separator is composed of two glass cylinders, which makes the oil-water separation time longer and the separation effect better. Glass material is used for easy observation.
4. During the extraction, the high position self-flow method is used for concentration. The evaporated distilled water returns to the extraction tank for further extraction. The whole reflux extraction and concentration process takes about 4-6 hours. It reduces steam and solvent loss and shortens the operation time.
5. The high concentration solvent received is directly sent to the alcohol preparation tank and used as a solvent for the alcohol sedimentation tank or extraction tank. The dilute concentration solvent is just sent to the dilute alcohol storage tank. The solvent discharge is controlled by the control box to achieve automatic liquid discharge, reducing labor and improving solvent utilization.

The multifunctional extraction and concentration unit is suitable for the effective component extraction, concentration, solvent recovery, and essential oil collection of traditional Chinese herbs and various plants. The characteristics of the multifunctional herbal extraction and concentration unit include: high efficiency, easy operation, and a high degree of automation; it is controlled by a central controller with excellent material selection for the equipment; dynamic extraction and concentration are used, which is fast and efficient; electric boiler heating or electric heating methods are adopted; the tank is equipped with a CIP cleaning device that can control and display the temperature and PH value during extraction and concentration; three-layer insulation with an open structure; internal and external welds polished to 300 mesh, made of SUS304 material.

Place the herbs into the extraction tank and add 5 to 10 times their volume in solvent such as water, ethanol, methanol, or acetone (depending on process requirements). Start the heating system of the extraction tank to bring the extract to a boil for 20 to 30 minutes. Use a suction filter tube to transfer one-third of the extract into the concentration tank. Close the direct heating and jacket hot water in the extraction tank, and turn on the direct heating and heating system in the concentration tank to maintain the concentrate at around 80℃, with a vacuum level of-0.05 to-0.08 MPa. The secondary steam generated during concentration passes through a condenser and cooler to become condensed liquid, which flows back into the extraction tank as new solvent. The new solvent travels from top to bottom through the herb layer to the bottom of the extraction tank, where soluble components dissolve in the solvent within the extraction tank. The extract is then transferred via a suction filter tube into the concentration tank. The secondary steam produced during concentration is sent back to the extraction tank as new solvent, forming a continuous cycle of solvent addition and extraction until complete dissolution (the extract becomes colorless). Concentration continues until the desired consistency of the ointment is achieved. The colorless liquid in the extraction tank can be reused for the next batch. If organic solvents are used, add an appropriate amount of water first, start the direct heating and jacket hot water, recover the solvent, and remove the residue.