Traditional Chinese Medicine Extraction and Concentration Unit

The multi-functional extraction and concentration unit, also known as the stainless steel extraction and concentration unit, is a versatile processing system integrating extraction and concentration. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) factories or biological extraction departments generally adopt thermal reflux multi-functional TCM extraction and concentration units or small-scale extraction and concentration equipment. Most small-scale units use electric heating, while thermal reflux commonly employs steam heating for efficient steam utilization and energy conservation. Such units are most widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, with TCM extraction and concentration units being the most common.

It can be used for various technological operations in industries such as healthcare, pigments, food and beverages, animals and plants, and chemicals, including normal pressure extraction, water decoction, wet immersion, thermal reflux, cyclic permeation, aromatic oil extraction, and organic solvent recovery. Complying with GMP pharmaceutical standards, it is primarily suitable for R&D in university laboratories, research institutes, and enterprise laboratories, as well as small and medium-scale pilot production lines.

1. Integrated Structure
   The equipment is mainly composed of an extraction tank, external circulation single-effect concentrator, and other auxiliary devices, featuring a compact structure and convenient operation. It integrates extraction, concentration, and solvent recovery functions in one system.
2. Multifunctional Process Capability
   • Suitable for water extraction and alcohol extraction, enabling normal pressure and negative pressure extraction, as well as volatile oil recovery.
   • Equipped with a vacuum converter and control box for easy operation, supporting processes such as normal-temperature extraction with low-temperature concentration, normal-temperature extraction with normal-temperature concentration, and low-temperature extraction with low-temperature concentration.
3. Efficient Oil-Water Separation
   The oil-water separator consists of two glass cylinders, extending the separation time for better efficiency. The glass material allows for intuitive observation of the separation process.
4. Energy-Saving Reflux Design
   During extraction, concentration is carried out via high-level gravity flow. Distilled water from evaporation returns to the extraction tank for continuous extraction, completing the entire reflux extraction-concentration process within 4-6 hours. This design reduces steam and solvent consumption while shortening operation time.
5. Intelligent Solvent Management
   • High-concentration solvents recovered are directly sent to the alcohol preparation tank for reuse in alcohol precipitation or extraction tanks.
   • Dilute solvents are directed to the dilute alcohol storage tank.
   • Solvent discharge is controlled by the control box, enabling automatic liquid release to reduce labor intensity and improve solvent utilization rate.

Equipment Characteristics

1. High Efficiency & User-friendly Operation
   • Features high efficiency, convenient operation, and a high degree of automation.
   • Controlled by a central controller, with excellent material selection for the unit components.
2. Dynamic Extraction Technology
   • Adopts dynamic extraction and concentration, reducing process time and improving efficiency.
   • Heating options: electric boiler heating or electric heating.
3. Advanced Design & Hygiene Standards
   • Equipped with a CIP (Clean-in-Place) cleaning device in the tank.
   • Enables control and display of extraction/concentration temperature and pH value.
   • Three-layer thermal insulation with an open-type structure.
   • Internal and external welds polished to 300 mesh, made of SUS304 stainless steel.

1. Start the heating system of the extraction tank to heat the extraction solution until boiling. After 20-30 minutes, pump one-third of the extraction solution into the concentration tank through the suction filter tube.
2. Turn off the direct heating and jacketed hot water of the extraction tank, and start the direct heating and heating system of the concentration tank. Maintain the temperature of the concentrated juice at approximately 80°C and the vacuum degree between -0.05 and -0.08 MPa.
3. The secondary steam generated during concentration is converted into condensate through the condenser and cooler, which then flows back to the extraction tank as a new solvent and is added to the medicinal materials. The new solvent passes through the medicinal material layer from top to bottom to the bottom of the extraction tank, dissolving the soluble components in the medicinal materials into the solvent in the extraction tank.
4. The extraction solution is pumped into the concentration tank through the suction filter tube, and the secondary steam generated during concentration is sent back to the extraction tank as a new solvent, forming a new solvent reflux extraction cycle. This cycle continues until the active ingredients are completely dissolved (the extraction solution becomes colorless).
5. Continue the concentration process until the ointment reaches the required specific gravity. The colorless liquid remaining in the extraction tank can be reused in the next batch.
6. For extraction with organic solvents: first add an appropriate amount of water, turn on the direct heating and jacketed hot water, recover the solvent, and then discharge the residue.