1. Overview of Straight Conical Extraction Tank
The straight conical extraction tank, also known as the upright conical extraction tank, serves multiple industries. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, food, and chemical industries for various processes.
These processes include atmospheric pressure, sub-atmospheric pressure, decoction, maceration, hot reflux, forced circulation percolation, essential oil extraction, and organic solvent recovery.
It boasts high efficiency and easy operation; we install a CIP cleaning system inside it to meet GMP standards.
Additionally, we can integrate this equipment into a dynamic extraction system for better performance.
2. Overall Extraction Process
We complete the entire extraction process of the positive conical extractor in a closed and circulating system.
It can perform extraction under normal pressure or pressure, depending on process needs.
Whether for water extraction, alcohol extraction, oil extraction, or other purposes, Chinese medicine factories determine the specific process requirements based on the drug’s performance.
3. Specific Extraction Methods
3.1 Water Extraction
First, we place water and Chinese medicine in the extraction tank.
Then, we start supplying the heat source to the jacket; after the tank contents boil, we reduce the heat source supply to maintain boiling inside the tank.
The duration depends on the extraction pharmacological process; for example, in closed extraction, we supply cooling water to cool the steam, which then returns to the extraction tank to maintain circulation and temperature.
3.2 Alcohol Extraction
First, we add the herbs and alcohol to a sealed container.
We supply steam from the jacketed heat source and open the cooling water to bring the container’s internal temperature to the required level, then reduce the heat source supply.
The rising vapor alcohol passes through the condenser and returns as liquid alcohol.
To improve efficiency, we can use a pump for forced circulation—drawing the herb solution from the container bottom and returning it to the top inlet to eliminate local flow.
3.3 Oil Extraction
First, we add the Chinese herbal medicine containing volatile oils and water to the extraction tank.
We open the circulation valve of the oil separator, adjust the bypass return valve, and open the heat source valve to reach the evaporation temperature.
Then, we turn on the cooling water for cooling; the cooled herbal solution should maintain a certain height in the separator to facilitate separation.
Finally, we rotate the oil-water separator for use.
3.4 Oil Recovery
We add alcohol into the cylinder, open the cooling water for the steam, and then open the recovery valve to start the recovery process.
4. Composition of the Complete Equipment Set
The complete set of positive conical extraction tank equipment includes eight key components.
These components are: 1. extraction tank; 2. foam collector; 3. gas-liquid separator; 4. cooler; 5. condenser; 6. oil-water separator; 7. feed pump; 8. pipeline filter and internal connecting pipeline.
5. Main Body Structure
It has a fully enclosed jacket, and we use a SUS304 matte thin steel plate for the outer cylinder.
Moreover, the improved liquid discharge method and added stirring device allow it to be applied to the dynamic extraction system.
3. GAMP pharmaceutical production automation management specification
