High-Performance Cannabis Post-Process Equipment

The cannabis market for spectrum extractions is growing. There is also a growing demand for refined cannabis products such as distillates, isolates, and THC-purified products. Most cannabis-infused products, such as edibles, beverages, vape cartridges, and topicals, incorporate extracts that have undergone subsequent post-processing refinement. We offer a full spectrum of cannabis post-processing equipment to meet the industry’s expanding markets.

Some cannabis concentrates are enjoyed independently, while others require additional processing operations. The initial extracts use hydrocarbon, alcohol, CO2, or solventless methods. These extracts contain cannabinoids, terpenes, and unwanted elements like lipids and flavonoids. Post-process equipment can help eliminate these unwanted components or modify physical and visual attributes.

What is Cannabis Post-Processing?

Post-processing is a comprehensive term encompassing all refinements performed after the initial extraction process. It may involve one or more subsequent steps to enhance viscosity, purity, flavor, and coloration.

• Decarboxylation
• Winterization
• Remediation/Isolation
• Distillation

Steps & Equipment Involved in Post-Processing Extraction Methods

Decarboxylation is crucial for converting acidic cannabinoids like THCa and CBDa into their active forms, such as THC and CBD. Typically, this involves subjecting the raw extract to precise temperature heating. This transformation results in a thinner concentrate, with THCa crystallizing, while THC remains liquid. The decarboxylation process necessitates using a sizeable reactor equipped with a chiller, another chiller for the condenser, and a vacuum pump.

Winterization serves to eliminate unwanted lipids and waxes from the crude oil. Chilling the extract separates fats and lipids, forming a layer on top. Several equipment options are available for winterizing cannabis extracts, including chillers, walk-in freezers, and dry ice to surround the product.

Remediation and isolation are steps primarily associated with CBD products. Remediation removes THC from hemp concentrates, while isolation separates CBD from the raw concentrates. These processes typically entail the distillation and crystallization of the crude CBD extract.

Distillation represents one of the most prevalent post-extraction refinements in the commercial cannabis industry. The end product is a high-potency, flavorless, and colorless cannabis distillate. Equipment for THC remediation includes filter dryers and reactor pairs designed for the isolation and crystallization of cannabinoids.

Cannabis Sorters and Separators

In the processing phase, manually sorting cannabis buds is a labor-intensive and imprecise task. Typically, human sorters select the larger flowers from the harvest and consider the job done. Based on their visual judgments, they categorize the buds into three general groups (large, medium, and “smalls”).

Automated cannabis flower sorting uses a system to separate smaller, medium-sized, and larger flowers. Irrespective of the sorter’s design, the smaller flowers pass through the grate slots before the larger ones.

Efficient plant material sorters have adjustable sizes to customize small, medium, and large definitions based on your needs. This flexibility simplifies the alignment of sorting procedures with downstream marketing objectives.

Biomass Drying Equipment for Cannabis Processing

High-quality hemp biomass is primarily hemp flower buds and is the starting material for popular products among wellness consumers. CBD isolates, boasting concentrations of up to 99.9 percent, are available in crystalline or powder form. These are suitable for vaporization, ingestion, or sublingual consumption.

Hemp typically undergoes processing via a closed-loop extraction system. The initial extraction yields a crude extract rich in cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, lipids, waxes, and other beneficial elements. During winterization, surplus plant waxes and fatty lipids are effectively eliminated.

Later, the crude hemp extract is decarboxylated to transform its acidic CBDA compound into the active CBD compound. The decarboxylated oil then undergoes fractional distillation to remove chlorophyll, terpenes, and non-CBD compounds. Further purification happens through chromatography, which separates cannabinoids using various chemicals at distinct rates.

Following chromatography, the CBD concentrate is combined with a non-polar solvent within a reactor. Subjecting the mixture to heating and cooling cycles induces CBD precipitation in crystal form. The CBD crystals are thoroughly rinsed with the same solvent to eliminate residual contaminants.

Next, place it in a vacuum oven for approximately 48 hours to ensure the removal of the solvent. CBD isolates prove to be the preferred choice for individuals seeking relief without the presence of THC in their system.

Post-Process Equipment of Biomass for Live Resin

Live resin stands apart from isolates due to its distinct cannabinoid and terpene composition. Unlike isolates, which lack THC, the live resin contains a substantial amount of this compound. You can preserve the natural and active parts of the cannabis plant by using frozen or dried material, avoiding degradation.

The extraction equipment required for resin production uses chilled solvents to separate the material’s most therapeutic compounds delicately. Conventional curing and drying methods can deteriorate the original fragrance, flavor, and potency.

The resultant crude oil goes into a vacuum chamber following the initial separation process. The remaining liquid is removed through cold temperatures. This process creates a golden and crystal-like substance with high levels of terpenes and cannabinoids. To make suitable live resin, use the best biomass for a product with potent terpene and cannabinoid qualities.

Cannabis Post-Process Equipment with Minimal Maintenance, Overhead, and Downtime

Advanced procedures are required to obtain plant-based products such as oils, gummies, skincare items, chocolates, and more. These procedures involve extracting, separating, processing, packaging, and cannabis cultivation.

The industry requires top-notch cannabis equipment for extracting and growing plants. This is necessary to produce medical-grade products that are effective and consistent on a large scale. This achievement involves finding quality equipment for plant and extraction processing, such as dryers, filters, chillers, and other technologies.

Cannabids is your number one resource for new and used post-processing equipment. We maintain an extensive inventory of pre-owned equipment for cannabis extraction and cultivation. If you need assistance with your equipment search, call us and request what you need!