6 Hydrocarbon Extraction R&D Projects for the RH-1 (5)

In the current extraction market, quick R&D can be a key to success. Last year a university contacted us to make a small, reliable hydrocarbon extractor that could produce test samples in their existing lab. Through that development we soon realized a new concept and product for the extraction industry was under our fingertips. The RH-1 Research Hydrocarbon Extractor takes all the power and capability of a large scale machine and condenses it to a size that doesn't even require a C1D1 room.

Before we get to the uses, let’s look at what makes the RH-1 a unique prospect for small and large extractors alike, as well as research labs and universities

What makes RH-1 Research Hydrocarbon Extractor Different?

Small but safe
- The RH-1 is truly benchtop, at only 36"x15"x24". This size presents a high ease of use and maintenance. Size has also allowed us to engineer it in such a way that facilities don’t need a walk-in C1D1 enclosure
Fits in a fume hood
- The way we avoid C1D1 enclosures with this machine is that the size allows it to just use a fume hood. Labs, universities, and even small commercial extractors can now bring safe hydrocarbon extraction into their facilities safely and confidently
Fully representative of commercial extraction
- With production extraction level temperature control, filtration media, integrated solvent recovery, and more, the RH-1 brings a top tier experience to the lab. Users can feed the sorbent column to perform a variety of separations using solid sorbent medias such as chromatography, solid phase extraction, and of course simple decoloring

The RH-1 is a true benchtop beast, allowing for refined approaches to hydrocarbon extraction that represent advanced commerical-scale machines

6 Hydrocarbon Extraction R&D Projects For the RH-1

In these six scenarios we show how the RH-1 can perform R&D for large extractors, small extractors, and universities

1. Small lab scaling up

Small labs often don’t have the advantage of their whole team putting in serious time on larger equipment before purchasing. In this scenario, a strong R&D phase with the RH-1 where the team can begin training and testing extraction lets them make a better decision about what they want from a larger machine.

2. University testing on cannabis extracts

Here a university is conducting medical testing of extracts often consumed by (savvy) consumers in recreational cannabis markets. With the RH-1, this lab can accurately, easily, and safely replicate the quality and consistency of commercial products so consumption effects can be studied. Alternately, some Universities are researching processing methodologies, helping to push the industry forward with new applied technologies. In this case the RH-1 enables the lab to start with a highly versatile butane extraction process that can be fully optimized to suit downstream processing approaches.

3. Testing biomass purchases

Large lot purchases of extractable material hold a major risk if the extract it produces is of poor quality, is contaminated with pesticide, or doesn’t yield well. An extractor purchases a small sample of the lot and runs a set of test extractions with different conditions and sends a sample out for analytical testing. Testing a batch for product qualities and stability before purchasing large lots can sometimes make or break a business.

4. Testing processes on batch before running

When preparing to run a large batch of material, an extractor uses the RH-1 to run a set of test extractions with different variables, such as testing various sorbent medias, and extraction conditions to produce a particular end product quality, with and without various filtration medias. Knowing ahead of time how much media and solvent to use in a run can save operators substantial money.

5. Grower expanding products by processing whole plant

Growers who aren’t ready to plunge into full scale extraction production right away can utilize the RH-1 to create a product line from excess material, even when growing at a small to moderate scale.

6. Extracting beyond cannabis

In this final R&D scenario, a cannabis extractor is looking to try new botanical extractions and move into other markets, or a botanicals company is looking to expand their offerings into new first to market high quality extracts. The RH-1 provides a great opportunity to test new botanicals to establish the market potential of new and exciting botanical products.

Conclusion: Do a Lot With a Little

The RH-1 lets teams large and small across various types of organizations dive into testing, extracting, and realizing product dreams without having to use or commit to production equipment. In the past, extractors have had to utilize their production equipment, adopt explosion proof enclosures, large systems, or less-than-safe small scale equipment to get quick and thorough hydrocarbon R&D done successfully. With the RH-1, SciPhy Systems is proud to present a safe and small alternative that perfectly replicates the capabilities of larger production equipment.