What is CO2 Extraction?

Perhaps you have heard about CO2 extraction but you are not familiar with exactly what it is. Your first thought is that it has something to do with CBD, but it is used in a wide variety of things in day-to-day life. A lot of people in the food and herbal industries use this. 

Read on if you want to learn the answer to the question, “What is CO2 extraction” or are interested in extraction equipment. 

How Does CO2 Extraction Work?

The best way to put it is that pressurized carbon dioxide pulls phytochemicals from a plant - in this case, the marijuana plant. Cannabinoids, wax, and terpene oils are removed. This becomes an oil that is amber in color and it can be vaporized in several ways to get the desired results. 

What is Supercritical CO2?

This is just another term that people use when referring to the extraction process. Supercritical CO2 is when the carbon dioxide has reached a fluid state. People like it because it can act like a gas or a liquid in terms of the space it fills.

What Is The Exact Process?

CO2 is put into an extractor in a gaseous form. The extractor subjects it to sub-freezing temperatures (-70) and higher pressure, which turns it into a fluid, which is then reheated. That fluid then runs through a chamber that has raw cannabis material in it, which then captures the active compounds. 

Why is CO2 Used?

People like CO2 because it is very versatile - it is referred to as being a “tunable solvent.” A lot of different products can be made from this since both the temperature and the pressure of it can be easily controlled. 

What Everyday Things Is It Used For?

If you enjoy decaffeinated coffee, then you are already seeing the CO2 extraction process in action. This removes the caffeine from coffee beans so that you can drink them if you have a sensitivity. Essential oils, like peppermint and lavender, also utilize this process. 

This is a very simplified explanation of what CO2 extraction is. There are many more in-depth looks at what happens, but this covers the basics so that you understand what happens.

The people at Colorado Extraction Systems are more than glad to answer any questions you may have about extraction equipment. They have years of experience doing this. Contact them today to ask for a demo.