CO2 Extraction
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extraction is a sophisticated and highly efficient method used in the cannabis industry to separate plant compounds from raw cannabis material. This extraction technique utilizes supercritical CO2—a substance in a state between a liquid and a gas—as a solvent to dissolve and extract cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial phytochemicals from the cannabis plant.
Supercritical CO2 extraction is praised for its cleanliness, high efficiency, and ability to produce high-purity cannabis extracts without the residue of harmful solvents.
The CO2 Extraction Process
The process of CO2 extraction begins with the conversion of CO2 gas into a supercritical state by applying controlled temperature and pressure within a closed-loop extractor. This supercritical CO2 is then passed through cannabis plant material where it acts like a solvent without the associated toxicity of traditional solvents.
As the CO2 carries the extracted compounds, it moves to a separation unit where the pressure is reduced, allowing CO2 to return to a gas state and leaving behind the desired cannabis extracts, such as CBD, THC, and terpenes, which can be collected for further use or refinement.
What is the Difference Between CO2 Extraction and CO2 Injection?
CO2 extraction and CO2 injection are two distinct methods for utilizing carbon dioxide in different processes. While CO2 extraction involves the separation of compounds using carbon dioxide as a solvent, the carbon dioxide injection process is used to enhance oil recovery in the petroleum industry.
Tunability of CO2 Extraction
What sets CO2 extraction apart in the cannabis extraction landscape is its tunability; by adjusting the temperature and pressure settings, extractors can target specific compounds, optimizing the process for different end-products such as full-spectrum oils, broad-spectrum oils, or isolates.
This method is non-flammable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly, which aligns with the industry’s move towards safer, more sustainable practices. Its ability to yield cleaner and healthier products with uncompromised potency makes CO2 extraction a go-to method for producing high-quality cannabis extractions.