Patent ID: 9242189
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: B01D

Claim Text:
1. A continuous extraction unit, comprising: a plurality of extraction chambers, wherein each of the extraction chambers comprises one or more first valves to direct a fluid flow, and wherein the extraction chamber contains extractable material for extraction of a solute by a solvent to form a solution when under a fluid flow; at least one compressor; at least one heat exchanger comprising at least one expansion chamber directly contacting at least one condenser, wherein the expansion chamber comprises at least one solution inlet comprising at least one expansion valve that allows a pressure drop that promotes vaporization of the solvent from the solution and aerosolization, coalescence, and consolidation of the solute as an extract in the form of a neat solute or a concentrated solution, wherein the solvent in a vaporized state is condensed to a liquid in the condenser, wherein heat from the condenser is absorbed by the expansion chamber, and wherein the compressor is positioned upstream with respect to the fluid flow through the condenser and the extraction chambers and the compressor is positioned downstream with respect to the fluid flow through the expansion chamber; and at least one pump or at least one second valve for continuously or periodically removing the extract without disruption of the fluid flow, wherein the first valves to direct the fluid flow permit removing one of said plurality of extraction chambers when the extractable material has been depleted of the extract and replacing the extraction chamber that is removed with an equivalent of the extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material without disruption of fluid flow through at least one of the extraction chambers, and wherein the solvent is retained within the continuous extraction unit.