Patent Publication Number: US-10765966-B2

Title: Biomass extraction and centrifugation systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/286,134; filed on Feb. 26, 2019; and titled BIOMASS EXTRACTION AND CENTRIFUGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/286,134 are incorporated herein by reference. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/286,134 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/802,163; filed on Feb. 6, 2019; and titled BIOMASS EXTRACTION AND CENTRIFUGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/802,163 are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for biomass extraction and centrifugation. Certain embodiments relate to  cannabis  and hemp extraction and centrifugation. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Biomass extraction, specifically the extraction of essential oils from plant materials, is a practice that can be traced back as early as the 13 th  century. Though medicine in much of the world has advanced beyond dependency on essential oils, and the techniques of biomass extraction are significantly more complex, the general concept remains the same. The main components of an extraction process are biomass material, an extracting element, and a method of separation. Early extraction methods used heat to extract compounds from biomass materials, and collected and condensed the resultant steam to form the extraction result. More current and complex methodologies employ chemical solvents and intricate machinery, but reach the same ultimate goal of collecting desired compounds from biomass materials. Biomass extraction is used across a variety of industries, including the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and perfume, and agricultural industries. 
     Biomass extraction techniques are typically directed to the goal of maximizing components extracted from a biomass material in the shortest period of time possible, while maintaining a high quality extraction result. Biomass extraction has traditionally been a manual, labor-intensive, and relatively slow process. Different extraction techniques use a variety of solvents, including butane, carbon dioxide, and ethanol, to extract desired components from a multitude of biomass materials. While different solvents are appropriate for different biomass materials, in recent years ethanol has been used increasingly for  cannabis  extraction. One common method of  cannabis  extraction involves a cylindrical filter bag of  cannabis  inserted in a vertical centrifuge; the centrifuge is then flooded with ethanol and agitated to extract components of the  cannabis , including cannabidiol (CBD) and/or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD and/or THC are desired components of  cannabis  because both have numerous health benefits, including pain relief, appetite stimulation, and muscle spasm suppression. CBD has additional health benefits that will be discussed later in the disclosure. This common method is continued by draining the centrifuge of ethanol, spinning dry the filter bag of  cannabis , and removing the filter bag from the centrifuge. While this method is effective, it is slow, labor intensive, and requires manual operation. Therefore, there is a need for improved extraction systems and methods to reduce both the time and labor requirements of current extraction practices. 
     SUMMARY 
     The current invention advances biomass extraction and centrifugation practices in a novel way by facilitating a continuous and minimally labor-intensive process. 
     This disclosure includes systems and methods for biomass extraction and centrifugation. Some embodiments include a biomass extraction and centrifugation system comprising a biomass feed tank, a solvent feed tank, a plurality of vessels, and a centrifuge. Each vessel of the plurality of vessels may be fluidly coupled to both the biomass feed tank and solvent feed tank, and the centrifuge may be fluidly coupled to each vessel of the plurality of vessels. In some embodiments, each vessel is configured to hold a slurry comprising a biomass and a solvent, and the centrifuge is configured to separate the slurry into a first extract discharge and a first waste discharge. In several embodiments, the biomass includes at least one of  cannabis  and hemp. The system may be sized and configured such that the fluid coupling between the centrifuge, the plurality of vessels, the biomass feed tank, and the solvent feed tank may enable the system to run in a continuous manner with a constant and repeatable extraction result. 
     In some embodiments, an amount and ratio of biomass to solvent is defined with respect to a batch size of the centrifuge. The ratio of biomass to solvent may be substantially constant to thereby ensure a repeatable process. In several embodiments, the solvent may comprise ethanol. 
     In some embodiments, each vessel of the plurality of vessels includes a cover that at least partially encloses each vessel. As well, each vessel of the plurality of vessels may further include a control valve that may send a respective slurry into the centrifuge. In several embodiments, each control valve opens and closes in response to an availability of the centrifuge. 
     Methods of continuously extracting and centrifuging biomass may include sending biomass from a biomass feed tank into a first vessel of a plurality of vessels, and sending solvent from a solvent feed tank into the first vessel. Methods may also include holding the biomass and solvent in the first vessel for a predetermined amount of time, wherein a first slurry of a first cycle may comprise the biomass and solvent. As well, methods may include extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the first slurry of the first cycle, and centrifuging and separating, via a centrifuge fluidly coupled to the plurality of vessels, the first slurry of the first cycle into a first extract discharge and a first waste discharge. 
     In some embodiments, methods further comprise sending biomass from the biomass feed tank into a second vessel of the plurality of vessels and sending solvent from the solvent feed tank into the second vessel. Methods may also include holding the biomass and solvent in the second vessel for the predetermined amount of time, wherein a second slurry of the first cycle comprises the biomass and solvent. Furthermore, methods may include extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the second slurry of the first cycle, and centrifuging and separating, via the centrifuge, the second slurry of the first cycle into a second extract discharge and a second waste discharge. In several embodiments, methods include extracting at least the portion of the biomass extraction from the first slurry of the first cycle while simultaneously sending biomass and solvent into the second vessel. 
     In some embodiments, methods further comprise sending biomass from the biomass feed tank into a third vessel of the plurality of vessels and sending solvent from the solvent feed tank into the third vessel. Methods may also include holding the biomass and solvent in the third vessel for the predetermined amount of time, wherein a third slurry of the first cycle comprises the biomass and the solvent. As well, methods may comprise extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the third slurry of the first cycle, and centrifuging and separating, via the centrifuge, the third slurry of the first cycle into a third extract discharge and a third waste discharge. In several embodiments, methods may further include sending biomass and solvent into the third vessel while simultaneously extracting at least the portion of the biomass extraction from the first slurry of the first cycle. As well, methods may include sending biomass and solvent into the third vessel while simultaneously extracting at least the portion of the biomass extraction from the second slurry of the first cycle. 
     In some embodiments, methods comprise sending biomass from the biomass feed tank into a fourth vessel of the plurality of vessels and sending solvent from the solvent feed tank into the fourth vessel. Methods may further include holding the biomass and the solvent in the fourth vessel for the predetermined amount of time, wherein a fourth slurry of the first cycle comprises the biomass and the solvent. As well, methods may comprise extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the fourth slurry of the first cycle, and centrifuging and separating, via the centrifuge, the fourth slurry of the first cycle into a fourth extract discharge and a fourth waste discharge. In many embodiments, methods include sending biomass and solvent into the fourth vessel while simultaneously extracting at least one of at least the portion of the biomass extraction from the first slurry of the first cycle, at least the portion of the biomass extraction from the second slurry of the first cycle, and at least the portion of the biomass extraction from the third slurry of the first cycle. 
     In some embodiments, while extracting at least the portion of the biomass extraction from the fourth slurry of the first cycle, methods further comprise centrifuging and separating the first slurry of the first cycle via the centrifuge, sending biomass from the biomass feed tank into the first vessel for a second cycle, sending solvent from the solvent feed tank into the first vessel for a second cycle, and extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from a first slurry of the second cycle. 
     While extracting at least the portion of the biomass extraction from the fourth slurry of the first cycle, methods may include extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the second slurry of the first cycle, centrifuging and separating the second slurry of the first cycle, sending biomass from the biomass feed tank into the second vessel for the second cycle, sending solvent from the solvent feed tank into the second vessel for the second cycle, and extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from a second slurry of the second cycle. 
     While extracting at least the portion of the biomass extraction from the fourth slurry of the first cycle, methods may further include extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the third slurry of the first cycle, centrifuging and separating the third slurry of the first cycle, sending biomass from the biomass feed tank into the third vessel for a second cycle, and sending solvent from the solvent feed tank into the third vessel for a second cycle. 
     In some embodiments, while centrifuging and separating the fourth slurry of the first cycle, methods further comprise extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the first slurry of the second cycle, extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the second slurry of the second cycle, and extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from a third slurry of the second cycle. As well, methods may include sending biomass from the biomass feed tank into the fourth vessel of the plurality of vessels for the second cycle and sending solvent from the solvent feed tank into the fourth vessel for the second cycle. 
     Though a plurality of vessels comprising four vessels is used as an example throughout the specification, any suitable number of vessels may be used. A number of vessels in the plurality of vessels may be determined by both the predetermined amount of time for holding the biomass and solvent and centrifugation time to separate each slurry. In some embodiments, the number of vessels in the plurality of vessels is determined by an amount of biomass in the biomass feed tank, an amount of solvent in the solvent feed tank, and a capacity of the centrifuge. 
     In many embodiments, the sending, extracting, centrifuging, and separating steps repeat until at least one of the biomass and solvent feed tank is substantially empty. 
     The disclosure also includes methods of using a biomass extraction and centrifugation system to extract and centrifuge biomass. In some embodiments, the method comprises loading a first portion of biomass into a vessel and loading a first portion of solvent into the vessel, holding the first portion of biomass and the first portion of solvent in the vessel for a predetermined amount of time, wherein a first slurry of a first cycle comprises the first portion of biomass and the first portion of solvent, extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the first slurry of the first cycle, and separating, via a centrifuge fluidly coupled to the vessel, the first slurry of the first cycle into a first extract discharge and a first waste discharge. The loading the first portion of biomass into the vessel may comprise sending the first portion of biomass from a biomass feed tank into the vessel, and the loading the first portion of solvent into the vessel may comprise sending the first portion of solvent from a solvent feed tank into the vessel. 
     In some embodiments, the method comprises sending a second portion of biomass from the biomass feed tank into the vessel and sending a second portion of solvent from the solvent feed tank into the vessel. In some embodiments, the method further comprises holding the second portion of biomass and the second portion of solvent in the vessel for the predetermined amount of time, wherein a first slurry of a second cycle comprises the second portion of biomass and the second portion of solvent, extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the first slurry of the second cycle, and separating, via the centrifuge, the first slurry of the second cycle into a second extract discharge and a second waste discharge. The method may comprise separating the first slurry of the first cycle while simultaneously sending the second portion of biomass and the second portion of solvent into the vessel for the second cycle. 
     In some embodiments, the sending, extracting, and separating steps repeat until at least one of the biomass and solvent feed tank is substantially empty. The biomass extraction and centrifugation system may be sized and configured to run in a continuous manner with a constant and repeatable extraction result. The vessel may be fluidly coupled to at least one of the biomass feed tank and the solvent feed tank. In some embodiments, the method further comprises covering the vessel to at least partially enclose the vessel. The method may also comprise insulating, via at least one jacket, at least one of the vessel, the biomass feed tank, the solvent feed tank, and the centrifuge. The biomass may comprise  cannabis  and hemp. In many embodiments, the biomass comprises at least one of  cannabis  and hemp. The biomass extraction may comprise at least one of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol. In some embodiments, the solvent comprises ethanol. 
     In some embodiments, loading the first portion of biomass into the vessel comprises manually loading the first portion of biomass from a biomass feed tank into the vessel, and the loading the first portion of solvent into the vessel comprises manually loading the first portion of solvent from a solvent feed tank into the vessel. 
     The disclosure also includes a biomass extraction and centrifugation system comprising a vessel configured to hold a slurry comprising a biomass and a solvent and a centrifuge fluidly coupled to the vessel, wherein the centrifuge is configured to separate the slurry into an extract discharge and a waste discharge. In many embodiments, the system further comprises a biomass feed tank fluidly coupled to the vessel and a solvent feed tank fluidly coupled to the vessel. 
     In some embodiments, the system further comprises a plurality of vessels whereby each vessel of the plurality of vessels is fluidly coupled to the biomass feed tank, the solvent feed tank, and the centrifuge, and wherein each vessel of the plurality of vessels is configured to hold the slurry comprising the biomass and the solvent. 
     The system may be sized and configured such that the biomass feed tank, the solvent feed tank, the vessel, and the centrifuge enable the system to run in a continuous manner with a constant and repeatable extraction result. In some embodiments, an amount and ratio of biomass to solvent is defined with respect to a batch size of the centrifuge, and wherein the ratio of biomass to solvent is substantially constant to ensure a repeatable process. The biomass may comprise at least one of  cannabis  and hemp, and the solvent may comprise ethanol. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments. Various components in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of a biomass extraction and centrifugation system, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a single vessel containing a slurry, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a method of sending biomass and solvent into a first vessel and holding the biomass and solvent in the first vessel, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a method of extracting a biomass extraction and centrifuging and separating a first slurry, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a method of sending biomass and solvent into a second vessel and holding the biomass and solvent in the second vessel, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a method of extracting a biomass extraction and centrifuging and separating a second slurry, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a graphical interpretation of a method of continuously extracting and centrifuging biomass, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 6, 7, and 8  illustrate schematic views of biomass extraction and centrifugation systems, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. For example, in any system or method disclosed herein, the acts or operations of the system or method may be performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particular disclosed sequence. Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding certain embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. Additionally, the structures, methods, and/or procedures described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components. 
     For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein. 
     INDEX OF COMPONENTS 
     
         
           10 —Biomass extraction and centrifugation system 
           12 —Biomass feed tank 
           14 —Solvent feed tank 
           16 —Plurality of vessels 
           16   a —First vessel 
           16   b —Second vessel 
           18 —Slurry 
           18   a —First slurry 
           18   b —Second slurry 
           20 —Biomass 
           22 —Solvent 
           24 —Centrifuge 
           26 —Extract discharge 
           26   a —First extract discharge 
           26   b —Second extract discharge 
           28 —Waste discharge 
           28   a —First waste discharge 
           28   b —Second waste discharge 
           30 —At least one of  cannabis  and hemp 
           40 —Cover 
           42 —Control valve
 
Introduction
 
       
    
     Biomass extraction techniques have advanced far beyond the heat extraction of essential oils used in the 13 th  century. Biomass extraction is now a vital process across many industries and is used for the production of everyday goods, from prescription drugs to household cleaning supplies to perfume. Biomass extraction combines raw biomass materials with an extracting element, such as a solvent, to extract desired components from the raw materials, and uses a centrifuge to separate the raw material waste from the desired extraction result. 
       Cannabis  extraction is one particular example of biomass extraction that has been gaining popularity in recent years as more states in the U.S. legalize marijuana, and the potential benefits of  cannabis  compounds become recognized, understood, appreciated, and accepted by the medical community. Traditional  cannabis  extraction and centrifugation processes use a vertical basket centrifuge, which, while effective in collecting CBD, is a slow and labor-intensive process. 
     This disclosure has remedied the deficiencies of the prior art by using, in many embodiments, a plurality of feed tanks and extraction vessels to continuously feed biomass and solvent into a centrifuge. With multiple feed tanks and vessels feeding biomass and solvent into the centrifuge this allows for a continuous process having significantly less downtime than prior art systems. 
     In some embodiments, the centrifuge used in the system and method discussed in this disclosure is an inverting filter centrifuge, which allows for a much higher production capacity than extraction and centrifugation from other types of centrifuges systems, such as a vertical basket centrifuge, which operates in a non-continuous way. Additionally, vertical basket centrifuge systems may, in some cases, require an upstream storage container to serve as a “staging area” for substances waiting to be centrifuged. The use of a vertical basket centrifuge with a storage container adds an extra step into the process, as biomass and solvent must be moved from their initial container, to the storage container, and finally to the centrifuge. An inverting filter centrifuge operates continuously and, as such, does not require an additional storage tank because substances can move directly to the centrifuge. This direct movement allows a biomass extraction and centrifugation process using an inverting filter centrifuge to move more quickly and efficiently than the same process using a vertical basket centrifuge. A vertical basket centrifuge also may have more difficulty discharging solids following centrifugation, adding another instance where the extraction and centrifugation process may be slowed down. Overall, a biomass extraction and centrifugation process using a continuous inverting filter centrifuge may move more quickly and efficiently than the same process carried out in a non-continuous way in a vertical basket centrifuge. 
     Existing biomass extraction methods are typically slow and require a large amount of manual labor, particularly in the case of  cannabis  extraction. Accordingly, there is a need to carry out biomass extraction on a high-scale production basis with minimal manual labor and maximum efficiency. The biomass extraction and centrifugation system and method of this disclosure solve the existing problems of biomass extraction through implementation of an automated and continuous process that allows for minimal manual labor, high efficiency, and high quantity and quality output. While this disclosure refers primarily to  cannabis , it is important to realize that the teachings of this disclosure can be implemented across many industries to extract any desired components from almost any biomass. 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of a biomass extraction and centrifugation system  10   a , and gives a general idea of the path of materials as they move through the extraction and centrifugation process. As shown, the system  10   a  may include a biomass feed tank  12  and a solvent feed tank  14 . The biomass and solvent feed tanks  12 ,  14  may be fluidly coupled to a plurality of vessels  16 , which in turn may be fluidly coupled to a centrifuge  24 . The components of the system  10   a  may be fluidly coupled in order to create a closed system capable of continuously receiving raw ingredients and processing the ingredients to yield the desired biomass components, such as CBD and THC. 
     It should be noted that only marijuana contains substantial concentrations (15-40%) of THC, while hemp contains predominantly CBD with a nearly negligible concentration (0.3%) of THC. In an extraction where CBD is the desired extraction result and no psychoactive effects are sought, a user may be advised to choose hemp, rather than marijuana, as the biomass material. CBD and THC are both desired components for various uses, including as analgesic, appetite stimulant, and antispasmodic agents. CBD in particular has a multitude of other uses, including as an anti-inflammatory, antipsychotic, antiepileptic, anti-bacterial, and immunosuppressive agent, among others. 
     Accordingly, the system  10   a  may be arranged and configured to send biomass and solvent from feed tanks  12 ,  14  to the plurality of vessels  16 . The biomass and solvent may comprise a slurry  18  in each vessel, and the plurality of vessels  16  may be arranged and configured to send the slurry  18  to a centrifuge  24 . In some embodiments, the centrifuge  24  is an inverting filter centrifuge. Alternatively, the centrifuge  24  may be a peeler centrifuge. In order to yield the desired biomass components from the system  10   a , the centrifuge  24  may separate the slurry  18  into an extract discharge  26 , containing a desired biomass component, and a waste discharge  28 , containing biomass waste. In some embodiments, the extract discharge  26  is released throughout the duration of operation of the centrifuge, and the waste discharge  28  is released once the centrifuge stops spinning. 
     In some embodiments, it is necessary to maintain a predetermined temperature or temperature range within each respective receptacle of the system  10   a . Accordingly, the biomass feed tank  12 , solvent feed tank  14 , plurality of vessels  16 , centrifuge  24 , and/or the fluid coupling infrastructure may be jacketed and/or insulated. In this regard, maintaining the various components at a predetermined temperature may enhance the efficacy and accuracy of the process in producing the desired component(s), as well as reduce some common issues of some biomass extraction techniques, including heating of the biomass and/or biomass extraction during centrifugation. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a single vessel  16  containing a slurry  18 , and shows the key components of the vessel  16  and the slurry  18 , according to some embodiments. It should be appreciated that the slurry may comprise biomass  20  and solvent  22 . In many embodiments, the biomass  20  comprises at least one of  cannabis  and hemp  30 . The biomass  20  may alternatively comprise another biomass material, such as hops. The biomass  20  may be whole, ground, dried, frozen, or in another physical condition. For example,  cannabis  may be frozen upon harvesting as a preservative measure and may remain frozen until loaded into the biomass feed tank  12 . In an embodiment where the biomass  20  comprises hops, the hops may be in whole leaf or pellet form, and, in some embodiments, are ground prior to loading into the biomass feed tank  12 . In many embodiments, the solvent  22  comprises ethanol. Ethanol, when used as the solvent, may be maintained at a temperature range of −60° C. to −40° C., through jacketing and/or insulating as described above. However, in many embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed herein use other types of solvent, such as acetone, butanol, ethyl acetate, ethylene glycol, heptane, methanol, water, and the like, each of which may require a different optimal temperature range. 
     Additionally, in order to maintain more control over process parameters, each vessel  16  may comprise a cover(s)  40  to protect the contents of the vessel  16  and a control valve(s)  42  to regulate flow to and from each respective vessel  16 . The cover(s)  40  may also aid in temperature regulation as a component of insulation for the vessel  16 . In some embodiments, the cover(s)  40  is attached to the vessel  16  with a hinge, allowing the cover(s)  40  to be opened and closed. Alternatively, the cover(s)  40  may be completely removable from the vessel  16 . In some embodiments, the cover(s)  40  includes an opening(s), such as a hole(s), to provide a connection(s) to the fluid coupling infrastructure in order to facilitate the transfer of biomass  20  and solvent  22  from the feed tanks  12 ,  14  into the vessel  16 . 
     In many embodiments, the control valve(s)  42  opens and closes in response to an availability of the centrifuge  24 . The centrifuge  24  may direct the control valve(s)  42  of the vessel  16  to open, thus releasing the slurry  18  from the vessel  16  to the centrifuge  24  without manual intervention from a system user. Once a slurry  18   a  of a first vessel  16   a  of the plurality of vessels  16  is centrifuged and separated, the centrifuge  24  may immediately indicate an availability and trigger the control valve 42 of a second vessel  16   b  of the plurality of vessels  16  to open and release a second slurry  18   b  from the vessel  16  to the centrifuge  24 , thus allowing the second slurry  18  to proceed to centrifugation. This feature may allow the system to run in a continuous manner and maximize efficiency while minimizing the need for manual intervention, as well as virtually eliminating “down time” of the centrifuge. 
     While  FIG. 1  (and the claims) illustrate the system  10   a  having four vessels  16 , it should be appreciated that four vessels  16  is just one example to illustrate the general concept that the system  10   a  may include more than one vessel  16  to continuously feed slurry  18  to the centrifuge  24  so that the centrifuge  24  can continuously operate. Additionally, the system  10   a  may also include more than two feed tanks to thereby supply the system  10   a  with additional components beyond a biomass  20  and a solvent  22 . Moreover, the system  10   a  may be arranged and configured to include more than one feed tank for each component being added to the system  10   a . For example, the system  10   a  may include a plurality of biomass feed tanks  12  and a plurality of solvent feed tanks  14 . Furthermore, while it is not shown in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments one or more vessels  16  may comprise an agitator to thereby prevent the slurry  18  from sticking to a side wall of the vessel  16  and to ensure a high quality extraction. The agitator may work continuously for constant mixing or may operate intermittently for periods of mixing and rest while the slurry  18  is held in the vessel  16 , as appropriate. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a method of continuously extracting and centrifuging biomass in a first vessel  16   a , whereby  FIG. 3A  shows the first two steps of the method and  FIG. 3B  is a continuation of  FIG. 3A  to demonstrate the proceeding steps of the method. In some embodiments, the method includes sending biomass  20  from a biomass feed tank  12  into the first vessel  16   a  and sending solvent  22  from a solvent feed tank  14  into the first vessel  16   a  (at step  300 ). The biomass  20  and solvent  22  may then be held in the first vessel  16   a  for a predetermined amount of time (at step  302 ). In many embodiments, the biomass  20  and solvent  22  may form a first slurry  18   a  in the first vessel  16   a . The method may further comprise extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the first slurry  18   a  and sending the first slurry  18   a  to a centrifuge  24  (at step  304 ). Additionally, the method may include centrifuging the first slurry  18   a  (at step  306 ) and separating the first slurry  18   a  into a first extract discharge  26   a  and a first waste discharge  28   a  (at step  308 ). In some embodiments, the centrifuge  24  operates at 2300 RPM. 
     In some embodiments, sending biomass  20  and solvent  22  from the feed tanks  12 ,  14  to a first vessel  16   a  happens simultaneously. Alternatively, the step of sending biomass  20  may happen subsequent to sending solvent  22 , and/or vice versa. In some embodiments, a pump operating at 50 gallons/minute performs the sending step  300 . The configuration of the various embodiments of the system  10   a , as well as other particular conditions surrounding a biomass extraction process, may determine the exact manner of sending biomass  20  and solvent  22  into the plurality of vessels  16 . 
     The system  10   a  may be arranged and configured such that a number of vessels  16  may be determined based on an amount of time it takes to process and centrifuge the components to yield the desired biomass extraction (e.g., CBD and/or THC). For example, in some embodiments, sending biomass  20  and solvent  22  from the feed tanks  12 ,  14  to the respective vessel  16 , takes a known amount of time, such as less than one minute, one minute, two minutes, four minutes, any amount of time greater than one minute, and the like. In some embodiments, the known amount of time to send the biomass  20  and solvent  22  from the feed tanks  12 , 14  to the respective vessel  16  is approximately equal to an amount of time to run the centrifuge. The “time to run the centrifuge” may include the steps of feeding and discharging the centrifuge  24 , as well as the actual spin time. The time to run the centrifuge may be longer when the biomass  20  comprises a heavier type of biomass  20  (e.g. when the biomass  20  is a type other than  cannabis  or hemp). In this regard, while the centrifuge  24  is under operation, another vessel  16  may simultaneously receive ingredients from the feed tanks  12 ,  14  to thereby process a subsequent batch of biomass extraction. In many embodiments, the vessel  16  that previously held the slurry  18  now undergoing centrifugation may receive ingredients from feed tanks  12 ,  14  to prepare for a second cycle of the extraction process. The number of vessels  16  and setup arrangements will be discussed further with regards to  FIG. 5 . 
     The first slurry  18   a  may form when the biomass  20  and solvent  22  are combined in the first vessel  16   a , and in some embodiments the first slurry  18   a  held in the first vessel  16   a  for a predetermined amount of time. In many embodiments, the predetermined amount of time is about 12 minutes. The exact length of the predetermined amount of time may vary based on the type and amount of biomass  20 , the type and amount of solvent  22 , the size of each vessel  16 , etc., and may be between six and twenty minutes. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time may include periods of mixing the first slurry  18   a.    
     The first slurry  18   a  may comprise a specific ratio of biomass  20  to solvent  22 . In many embodiments, the typical ratio of biomass  20  to solvent  22  is 1:5. The amount and ratio of biomass  20  to solvent  22  input into the system  10   a  may depend on the type, as well as the particular physical and chemical properties of both the biomass  20  and the solvent  22  used in the system  10   a . Furthermore, the amount of each biomass  20  and solvent  22  may be determined based on the size of any component or vessel within the system  10   a , including the biomass and solvent feed tanks  12 ,  14 . For example, in some embodiments, the amount and ratio is defined with respect to a batch size of the centrifuge  24 . The batch size of the centrifuge  24  may also aid in the determination of the appropriate size and number of vessels within the plurality of vessels  16 . In several embodiments, the ratio of biomass  20  to solvent  22  is substantially constant to ensure a repeatable process, as well as a consistent and repeatable extraction result. The repeatable and consistent nature of the biomass  20  to solvent  22  ratio and the extraction result may contribute to the continuous manner in which the method operates, through each vessel of the plurality of vessels  16  and each cycle of the extraction and centrifugation process. 
     As the first slurry  18   a  is held in the first vessel  16   a , biomass extraction may take place. This extraction may occur as the biomass  20  reacts with the solvent  22 , releasing components of the biomass  20 . For example, in an embodiment where the biomass  20  is  cannabis  and the solvent  22  is ethanol, CBD may be extracted from the raw  cannabis  material into the slurry  18 . After extraction over the predetermined amount of time, the first slurry  18   a  may be sent to a centrifuge  24  and thereby centrifuged to result in the separation of the first slurry  18   a  into a first extract discharge  26   a  and a first waste discharge  28   a . In this  cannabis /ethanol embodiment, the first extract discharge  26   a  comprises a “crude oil” of CBD and ethanol, and the first waste discharge  28   a  comprises  cannabis  with most of the CBD (and any excess ethanol) removed. In other embodiments, the first extract discharge  26   a  comprises the “crude oil” biomass extract with the solvent, and the first waste discharge  28   a  comprises the biomass with most of the extracted component and excess solvent removed. In some embodiments, a small amount of the desired extract component and solvent may remain absorbed by and/or integrated with the biomass waste. This possible residual moisture after centrifugation may be about 2%. The extract discharge may then undergo further filtering or purification methods to remove the solvent and result in a substantially pure form of the desired component. 
     In many embodiments, the transfer of material between the biomass and solvent feed tanks  12 ,  14 , the plurality of vessels  16 , and the centrifuge  24  is completed via a fluid coupling infrastructure. The fluid coupling infrastructure may define series of fluid connections amongst any of the components described herein. For example, the infrastructure may comprise pipes, tubes, pumps, any components suitable for the transfer of biomass and solvent materials, and the like. As previously discussed, the fluid coupling infrastructure may be jacketed and/or insulated for temperature regulation. The fluid coupling infrastructure may be made from at least one of plastic, metal, rubber, and any other suitable material, as may the feed tanks  12 ,  14 , each vessel of the plurality of vessels  16 , and the centrifuge  24 , as well as respective elements of each component of the system  10   a.    
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a method of continuously extracting and centrifuging biomass in a second vessel  16   b , whereby  FIG. 4A  shows the first two steps of the method and  FIG. 4B  is a continuation of  FIG. 4A  to demonstrate the proceeding steps of the method. In some embodiments, the method includes sending biomass  20  from a biomass feed tank  12  into the second vessel  16   b  and sending solvent  22  from a solvent feed tank  14  into the second vessel  16   b  (at step  400 ). As such,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate the idea of how multiple vessels  16  may be used to simultaneously perform various process steps to maintain a continuous or quasi-continuous process. In many embodiments,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  should be understood in sequence with  FIGS. 3A and 3B , as the second vessel  16   b  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  goes through the method steps immediately following the first vessel  16   a  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The method steps in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  may overlap in time with the method steps of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . For example, sending step  400  may occur simultaneously with holding step  302 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the biomass  20  and solvent  22  may then be held in the second vessel  16   b  for a predetermined amount of time (at step  402 ). In many embodiments, the biomass  20  and solvent  22  form a second slurry  18   b  in the second vessel  16   b . The method may further comprise extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the second slurry  18   b  and sending the second slurry  18   b  to a centrifuge  24  (at step  404 ). The method may further comprise centrifuging the second slurry  18   b  (at step  406 ) and separating the second slurry  18   b  into a second extract discharge  26   b  and a second waste discharge  28   b  (at step  408 ). 
     In many embodiments where the plurality of vessels  16  comprises a number greater than two vessels, the method illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-4B  is repeated in the additional vessels of the plurality of vessels  16 , until at least one of the biomass and solvent feed tanks  12 ,  14  is substantially empty. For example, in an embodiment where the plurality of vessels  16  comprises four vessels, the method steps shown in  FIGS. 3A-4B  are carried out in the third and fourth vessels, subsequently. In many embodiments, this repetition will cover multiple cycles of the extraction and centrifugation process, wherein each vessel  16  will continuously go through the sending, holding, extracting, centrifuging, and separating steps multiple times. Due to the overlap in time of different method steps in different vessels  16 , in many embodiments one or more vessels  16  operate in a second cycle while one or more of the other vessels  16  are still completing a first cycle. In this way, the method may allow for a higher production capacity and increased efficiency over the prior art methods of extracting and centrifuging biomass. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a graphical interpretation of a method of continuously extracting and centrifuging biomass, and shows how the method progresses over time, according to some embodiments. The graph illustrates the steps of sending the biomass  20  from the biomass feed tank  12  into the vessel  16  and sending the solvent  22  from the solvent feed tank  14  into the vessel  16  (at steps  300  and  400 ), holding the biomass  20  and solvent  22  in the vessel  16  for a predetermined amount of time (at steps  302  and  402 ), and centrifuging the slurry  18  (at steps  306  and  406 ). In many embodiments, the holding step  302 ,  402  also comprises extracting the biomass  20  extraction into the slurry  18 . The centrifuging step  306 ,  406  may also comprise separating the slurry  18  into the waste discharge  28  and extract discharge  26 . The steps may proceed in the following order: sending biomass  20  and solvent  22  into the vessel  16  ( 300 ,  400 ); holding the biomass  20  and solvent  22  in the vessel  16  ( 302 ,  402 ); and centrifuging the slurry  18  ( 306 ,  406 ). Following the centrifuging step  306 ,  406 , the method steps may repeat for additional cycles. In some embodiments, the centrifuging step  306 ,  406  of a first cycle occurs simultaneously with the sending step  300 ,  400  for a second cycle of the same vessel. Accordingly, and as previously discussed, the repetition of steps may allow the method to operate in a continuous manner. 
       FIG. 5  includes a “first predetermined time” and a “second predetermined time”. It is important to note that the first and second predetermined times are different than the previously discussed “predetermined amount of time” in which a slurry is held in a vessel. The first predetermined time may define a total length of time of the biomass extraction and centrifugation process, as it extends from the initial sending biomass  20  and solvent  22  at step  300  through the centrifuging the slurry  18  at step  306  for a first cycle of Vessel  1 . The second predetermined time encompasses the same steps, but for a second cycle of the process. As mentioned above, the overall biomass extraction and centrifugation method may comprise multiple cycles wherein each vessel of the plurality of vessels  16  may undergo each step of the method until at least one of the biomass feed tank  12  and the solvent feed tank  14  is substantially empty. 
     In some embodiments, the first predetermined amount of time substantially equals the second predetermined amount of time. Alternatively, the first predetermined amount of time may not equal the second predetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, the first predetermined amount of time and/or the second predetermined amount of time are equal to any amount of time less than 1 hour. However, in some embodiments, the first predetermined amount of time and/or the second predetermined amount of time are equal to any amount of time greater than or equal to 1 hour. This amount of time, combined with the minimal user intervention needed throughout the process, indicates that the process may run upwards of a dozen times a day, resulting in a high production capacity. 
     The graphical representation of  FIG. 5  further illustrates that, in some embodiments, the centrifugation steps  306 ,  406 , occur substantially simultaneously with the sending the biomass  20  and solvent  22  from feed tanks  12 ,  14  into the respective vessel  16  (steps  300 ,  400 ) and the holding the biomass  20  and solvent  22  in the vessel  16  for a predetermined amount of time (steps  302 ,  402 ). In many embodiments, as the first slurry  18   a  from the first cycle of the first vessel  16   a  is in the centrifuge, biomass  20  and solvent  22  are sent to the first vessel  16   a  to begin a second cycle of the biomass extraction and centrifugation process. In some embodiments, while the first slurry  18   a  of the first cycle of the first vessel  16  is being centrifuged the second  16   b , third, and fourth vessels may be holding the biomass  20  and solvent  22  (at step  302 ,  402 ) (and thus extracting the biomass extraction) of the first cycle. Generally, the upshot of  FIG. 5  is that multiple process steps may be occurring substantially simultaneously to thereby promote the continuous operational aspects of the systems and methods disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the same schematic view of the biomass extraction and centrifugation system  10   b  as  FIG. 1 , with the exception that  FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the system  10   b  where the plurality of vessels  16  comprises six vessels, rather than four.  FIG. 6  also shows the biomass feed tank  12 , solvent feed tank  14 , centrifuge  24 , extract discharge  26 , and waste discharge  28 . Though an embodiment of the system  10   b  wherein the plurality of vessels  16  comprises four vessels is used as an example throughout the disclosure,  FIG. 6  demonstrates that, in some embodiments, the plurality of vessels  16  comprises more than four vessels. In several embodiments, the plurality of vessels  16  comprises a number of vessels other than four or six; these numbers were chosen as simple examples to depict the variability possible in the number of vessels. It is conceivable that the system  10   b  may, in some embodiments, include a plurality of vessels  16  comprising up to twenty or thirty vessels. 
     A number of vessels in the plurality of vessels  16  may be determined by both the predetermined amount of time for holding the biomass and solvent and centrifugation time for each slurry  18 , as well as by the amount of biomass  20  and solvent  22  in the feed tanks  12 ,  14 , and the capacity of the centrifuge  24 . It is important to note that the size, as well as the number, of vessels  16  is variable in the system  10   b . As previously discussed, the size of the vessels  16  may be determined by the batch size of the centrifuge  24 . The variability in the number of vessels  16  may allow the system  10   b  to be used for extraction and centrifugation processes involving different amounts and/or types of biomass  20  and solvent  22 , and under the appropriate conditions (holding time, centrifugation time, etc.), for the chosen biomass  20  and/or solvent  22 . The system  10   b  is highly adaptable to work with biomass extraction and centrifugation processes across different industries and conditions, and the variability in the number of vessels  16  is one of the chief elements of that adaptability. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic view of a biomass extraction and centrifugation system  10   c , and gives a general idea of the path of materials as they move through the extraction and centrifugation process. As shown, the system  10   c  may include a vessel  16  fluidly coupled to a centrifuge  24 . In some embodiments, a method of biomass extraction and centrifugation produces an extract discharge  26  and a waste discharge  28 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The system  10   c  may be similar to the systems  10   a  and  10   b , and the vessel  16  may carry out the holding and extracting steps in a substantially similar manner as each vessel in the plurality of vessels  16 , as described previously in this disclosure. In some embodiments, the biomass  20  and solvent  22  are manually loaded into the vessel  16  in the system  10   c , such as by a system user, by hand. Furthermore, in a manual loading operation, the biomass and solvent may be loaded into the vessel  16  via different sources (other than feed tanks), including, super sacks, bags, totes, buckets, containers, and the like. 
     Following the loading of at least a first portion of biomass  20  and at least a first portion of solvent  22  to the vessel  16 , the method may further comprise holding the first portion of biomass  20  and the first portion of solvent  22  in the vessel  16  for a predetermined amount of time. The predetermined amount of time may be the same predetermined amount of time discussed with reference to the systems  10   a  and  10   b ; i.e. about 12 minutes. In some embodiments, a first slurry  18   a  of a first cycle comprises the first portion of biomass  20  and the first portion of solvent  22 . The method may further comprise extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from the first slurry  18   a  of the first cycle. Following the extracting, the first slurry  18   a  may be sent, via a fluid coupling infrastructure, to the centrifuge  24 . In some embodiments, the centrifuge  24  facilitates separation of the first slurry  18   a  of the first cycle into a first extract discharge  26   a  and a first waste discharge  28   a . As described above, in an embodiment where the biomass  20  comprises at least one of  cannabis  and hemp and the solvent  22  comprises ethanol, the first extract discharge  26   a  may comprise a “crude oil” of CBD and ethanol, and the first waste discharge  28   a  comprises  cannabis  with most of the CBD (and excess ethanol) removed. In other embodiments, the first extract discharge  26   a  comprises a “crude oil” of biomass extract with the solvent, and the first waste discharge  28   a  comprises the biomass with most of the extracted component and excess solvent removed. 
     In some embodiments, a second portion of biomass  20  and a second portion of solvent  22  are added to the vessel  16  for a second cycle while the first slurry  18   a  of the first cycle is being separated by the centrifuge  24 . The first slurry  18   a  of the second cycle may then go through the holding, extracting, and separating steps as previously described. While the first slurry  18   a  of the second cycle is in the separating step, a third portion of biomass  20  and a third portion of solvent  22  may be added to the vessel  16  for a third cycle. In this way, the system  10   c  may carry out a continuous process of biomass extraction and centrifugation with multiple cycles. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates yet another embodiment of a biomass extraction and centrifugation system  10   d . In many respects the system  10   d  may be substantially similar to the systems  10   a  and  10   b , however comprising only one vessel  16  rather than a plurality of vessels  16 . As illustrated by  FIG. 8 , the system  10   d  may also include a biomass feed tank  12  and a solvent feed tank  14 , which, in many embodiments, are fluidly coupled to the vessel  16 . In a manner similar to the method illustrated in and described with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a method of extracting and centrifuging biomass using the system  10   d  may include sending biomass  20  and solvent  22  into the vessel  16 , holding the biomass  20  and solvent  22  in the vessel  16  for a predetermined amount of time, extracting at least a portion of a biomass extraction from a first slurry  18   a , centrifuging the first slurry  18   a , and separating the first slurry  18   a  into a first extract discharge  26   a  and a first waste discharge  28   a.    
     As discussed with reference to  FIG. 7 , the system  10   d  may help facilitate a continuous process of extracting and centrifuging biomass. While the first slurry  18   a  of the first cycle is being centrifuged and separated by the centrifuge  24 , a second portion of biomass  20  and a second portion of solvent  22  may be sent from the biomass feed tank  12  and the solvent feed tank  14 , respectively, into the vessel  16  to start a second cycle. The extraction and centrifugation process may continue until at least one of the biomass feed tank  12  and the solvent feed tank  14  is substantially empty. 
     In some embodiments, the systems  10   c  and  10   d  comprise a plurality of vessels. In such embodiments, the system  10   d  may be substantially the same as the systems  10   a  and  10   b , and the system  10   c  may be similar to the systems  10   a  and  10   b.    
     The following parameters are included to illustrate only one example of the system  10  performing the method steps previously discussed. These parameters in no way are meant to apply to all possible embodiments of the system  10  and/or method, and are included entirely for the sake of providing a detailed description of the system  10  and method in operation. In this embodiment, the biomass is  cannabis  or hemp, and the solvent (liquid) is ethanol.
         Basket capacity of centrifuge: 400 liters (solid biomass)   Specific gravity of wet material fed into centrifuge: 0.5 kg/dm 3      Net amount of wet biomass fed into centrifuge with liquid: 200 kg   Expected residual moisture of biomass after centrifugation: 2%   Specific gravity of biomass after centrifugation: 0.2 kg/dm 3      Amount of biomass discharged after centrifugation: 80 kg   Dry biomass per extraction batch: 80 kg   Typical biomass to liquid ratio: 1:5   Required liquid amount per extraction batch: 400 kg   Specific gravity of solvent: 0.789 kg/liter   Required liquid volume per extraction batch: 507 liters   Typical extraction time in vessel: 12 minutes   Additional time for charging and discharging of the vessel: 4 minutes   Typical centrifuge batch time: 4 minutes       

     Standard centrifugation uses centrifugal force to facilitate the separation of liquids from solids. Centrifugal force is generated by spinning a sample—in the case of this disclosure, a slurry—at high speed for whatever time is necessary to separate the sample. Hydraulic pressure is created by liquid moving through the cake, and once the liquid is removed there is no more hydraulic pressure. While standard centrifugation is generally very effective, spinning and centrifugal force alone can only remove so much moisture from a sample. 
     Pressure Added Centrifugation (PAC) introduces another pressure force to the centrifugation process in order to remove any liquid that would typically be left behind after a standard centrifugation process, as the leftover liquid usually isn&#39;t enough to generate its own hydraulic pressure to separate from the sample. In the context of this disclosure, a PAC system may be used to drive additional moisture from the solvent (e.g. ethanol) out of the biomass material (e.g.  cannabis ). This step may be beneficial not only to obtain a better centrifugation result and extract as much solvent and biomass extract as possible, but it may also result in a safer waste material. In some embodiments, the waste discharge produced by the systems and methods of this disclosure comprises  cannabis  with some residual ethanol and ethanol vapors, which are flammable. Centrifugation with the PAC system drives off the residual ethanol and ethanol vapors, resulting in an inert waste discharge where disposal is easier and safer than for a waste discharge containing residual ethanol. 
     In some embodiments, the centrifuge  24  used to carry out the centrifugation step  306 ,  406  comprises a PAC system. The PAC system may be installed onto an existing centrifuge  24 , and may be located near a feed pipe of the centrifuge  24 . In many embodiments, the PAC system injects pressurized gas, such as nitrogen or air, through the feed pipe into the bowl of the centrifuge  24  while the centrifuge  24  is spinning. Gas injection may occur any time after the filling cycle is complete, and may occur before or after the final spin cycle. In some embodiments, the injected gas is pressurized to 40 psi. Alternatively, the gas may be at a pressure of up to 90 psi. In many embodiments, the PAC system operates at ambient temperature. Alternatively, the PAC system may heat the gas prior to injection in order to achieve a vaporizing effect on residual moisture in the biomass materials in the centrifuge. When heated, the temperature may reach about 95° C. to 120° C., depending on what can be withstood by the centrifuge materials. The temperature range may also depend on what is appropriate and safe for the sample materials inside the centrifuge, particularly in cases where the solid, not the liquid, is the desired result. In many embodiments, the PAC system is installed onto the centrifuge  24  and engaged when necessary. This allows the PAC system to remain on a centrifuge even when standard centrifugation, without PAC, is sufficient for a particular centrifugation process. 
     INTERPRETATION 
     Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed above, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described above. The structures, systems, methods, and/or devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein. 
     The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting. The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the full scope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headings and subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic  1 ” may include embodiments that do not pertain to Topic  1  and eembodiments described in other sections may apply to and be combined with embodiments described within the “Topic  1 ” section. 
     Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. 
     Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present. 
     The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments can include A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Furthermore, the phrase “at least one of” may be used as a shorthand way of saying “and/or”. In this regard, the phrase “at least one of” may mean the same thing as “and/or”. 
     The term “about” is used to mean approximately, and is not intended as a limiting term. For example, the phrase “wherein sending biomass and solvent to the first vessel takes about 4 minutes” and in this context, “about” is not intended to limit the time to exactly four minutes. In this regard, the phrase “wherein sending biomass and solvent to the first vessel takes about 4 minutes” may be interpreted to mean that the time ranges from 2 to 10 minutes. 
     The term “continuous” shall be interpreted to encompass continuous, semi-continuous, quasi-continuous, and/or batch processing methods. For example, the disclosure recites the phrase “a method of using a biomass extraction and centrifugation system to continuously extract and centrifuge biomass” and in this context, “continuously” is meant to include the possibility of a continuous, semi-continuous, quasi-continuous, and/or batch method. 
     The term “substantially” shall be interpreted to mean completely and/or nearly completely. For example, the disclosure recites the phrase “wherein the sending, extracting, and separating steps repeat until at least one of the biomass and solvent feed tank is substantially empty.” In this context, “substantially empty” is meant to include the possibilities of both completely empty and nearly completely empty feed tanks. 
     The term “repeatable” is used to mean that the method may be replicated and performed multiple times with consistent results from run to run. The disclosure recites the phrase “configured to run in a continuous manner with a constant and repeatable extraction result.” In this context, “repeatable” is meant to indicate that the system runs continuously and the result of each “run” is replicated in the next “run”.