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CBD Processing Equipment: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions CBD Processing Equipment: Frequently Asked Questions have been addressed in detail below. In general, machinery and its costs, shipping time and instructions regarding cleaning and maintenance depend heavily on the manufacturer and the production size of the facility.
3) DOES THIS MACHINE REQUIRE A LICENSE TO OPERATE IT
Explain if CBD extraction machines typically require an operation license and list, if any, examples of machines that do require an operation license.
- Different states have different extraction laws, licensing processes, and regulations. According to manufacturers and industry guides, research is crucial to identifying a municipality that is likely to grant an operation license.
- Licenses depend on the type of operation run and not on the type of machinery owned. More specifically, a business will need a different license if it is focused on growing hemp and another one if it's focused on extraction.
4) WHAT IS THE MACHINE YIELD
a. Explain why is it important to understand how much product comes out of a machine.
- Extraction yield is the showcase of how much of the end product is obtained as a percentage of the hemp used in the extraction process. The higher the extraction yield, the better the utilization of hemp.
b. The buyer needs to consider how much hemp plant material they need to produce a specific quantity of CBD oil.
The amount of hemp plant material needed to produce a specific quantity of CBD oil differs based on the extraction method used. The yields for different extraction methods are as follows:
- CO2 extraction: 4 — 7%.
- Propane/butane extraction: 15%.
- Ethanol extraction: 10 — 15%.
- Ice water extraction: 5 — 7%.
- Water vapor extraction: 5 — 7%.
c. The buyer needs to understand how long it takes to process all hemp plant material.
Processing time for hemp material differs based on the extraction method used:
- CO2 extraction: 200 grams per minute (230mls/min).
- Propane/butane extraction: 4,500 grams of biomass every 90 minutes.
- Ethanol extraction: 80 lbs. per hour.
- Ice water extraction: 20 - 60 osc/min.
- Water vapor extraction: 20 – 60 osc/min.
d. The buyer needs to understand machine yield to determine if he/she can scale hemp processing.
- As explained above, the yields for different extraction methods depend on the method rather than the machine. The yields for each method are listed above.
5) WHAT IS THE SHIPPING COST AND TIME TO SHIP
a. Explain if there are any industry standards of free shipping or fast shipping or does it vary based on manufacturer.
- Based on the analysis of five different extraction machine manufacturers (LabX, MedXtractor, Apeks Supercritical, Precision Extraction Solution, and Pilotech) free shipping or fast shipping are not mentioned as part of the offering with any of the machines listed.
b. List shipping cost ranges for ethanol extraction, CO2 extraction machines, Butane/Propane extraction machines, ice water extraction machines, and Water vapor extraction machines.
- Shipping costs ranges depend on the manufacturer/seller rather than the type of extraction.
- Companies do not list their shipping costs ranges online but ask for potential customers to ask for a quote.
c. List shipping time ranges for ethanol extraction, CO2 extraction machines, Butane/Propane extraction machines, ice water extraction machines, and Water vapor extraction machines.
- Shipping times ranges depend on the manufacturer/seller rather than the type of extraction.
- Companies do not list their shipping time ranges online but ask for potential customers to ask for a quote.
6) DOES THE MACHINE REQUIRE ASSEMBLY
a. Explain if it is common for machines to arrive fully assembled, partially assembled or in pieces.
- Industrial machinery comes as a modular plug and is partially assembled. Most companies offer the service of assembly within their extraction machine package.
b. List examples of machines that come fully assembled, partially assembled or in pieces.
- A.E. Hodsdon Engineers' range of CO2 extraction machines comes fully assembled. However, their most recent work for HempAmericana saw the machines custom-made and delivered in pieces and then assembled in the facility.
- BV Thermal System notes their machines come fully assembled.
- Ethos and EthosX machines by CapnaSystems come fully assembled.
- Precision KPD Series by Precisions Extraction comes in pieces.
- C-40 Centrifuge Extractor comes partially assembled.
7) WHAT CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED FOR CBD EXTRACTION MACHINES
a. Explain if there is little cleaning or frequent cleaning required for ethanol extraction, CO2 extraction machines, Butane/Propane extraction machines, ice water extraction machines, and Water vapor extraction machines.
- Cleaning is needed either between runs or on a weekly basis for all extraction machines. The frequency of cleaning depends on the production volume for each machine.
- Machines come equipped with instructions for cleaning as part of the instruction manual, and the process usually involves cleaning the following parts: extraction and separator vessels, solvent supply tanks, lines and connections, temperature controllers/chillers, and compressor pumps.
- Oil level and running oil pressure for the extractor should be checked and recorded each week.
b. List if any cleaning supplies come with machines.
- We found no mention of any of the machines or manufacturers listed previously providing cleaning supplies with machines.
c. Explain if there is little maintenance or frequent maintenance required for ethanol extraction, CO2 extraction machines, Butane/Propane extraction machines, ice water extraction machines, and Water vapor extraction machines.
- Generally, maintenance is recommended weekly for all machines.
d. List if maintenance can be performed by owner or does it need to be performed by a third party.
- Most maintenance can be performed by owners. As part of the training provided by manufacturers that offer complex machines, maintenance procedures are taught by the manufacturer.
8) HOW LONG HAS THE COMPANY BEEN IN THE BUSINESS
Explain benefits of buying from a company that has been around for some time / explain drawbacks of buying from a newer company.
- According to Precision Extraction, buying from an established company allows for the owner to be safe and not spend more money on further maintenance and potential issue fixing.
- A typical cost of setting up an extraction facility is between $400,000 and $800,000 and due to such large set up costs, established companies can provide a better overall service, including training and assembly.
9) WHERE IS THE MANUFACTURER LOCATED
Explain why location is important (IE. It is easier to buy replacement parts or get support from US based manufacturer vs one that is overseas).
- Location is important with regard to manufacturers of extraction machines based on the fact that international shipping can be expensive when it comes to heavy machinery and bulky parts.
- Additionally, having a manufacturer that is US-based allows owners to contact them in case of emergencies or to provide additional professional services.