Enerquip’s Cannabis Processing & Plant Oil Extraction Equipment

Although the surge in demand for heat exchangers to support the hemp, cannabis, plant oil, and essential oil processing market is rather recent, Enerquip has been designing and building shell and tube exchangers for extraction, condensing, cooling and superheating for many years. Enerquip has assisted several extraction system OEM’s in designing condensers, coolers, and reboilers for pilot scale test systems as well as larger commercial scale systems.

Enerquip Solutions Tailored for Cannabis and Plant Oil Extraction

Commitment to Sanitary and Safety Standards

Enerquip’s heat exchangers are engineered to meet rigorous sanitary and safety requirements, ensuring the highest quality processing standards:

  • Built to ASME-BPE and 3-A Sanitary Standards for safe product processing
  • ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code compliance for high-pressure and cryogenic applications
  • Designed for easy disassembly, inspection, and maintenance
  • Food-grade finishes (32Ra or better) and sanitary tri-clamp ferrule connections for optimal hygiene
  • Customizable styles, orientations, and upgrades to fit your specific process requirements

The Advantage of Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers in Extraction

Enerquip’s shell-and-tube heat exchangers are designed for durability, efficiency, and adaptability to extreme conditions. They handle design pressures up to 3,000 psig and temperatures from cryogenic levels to 1,000°F, making them ideal for the cannabis and plant oil processing industries.

Key Applications Include:

Solvent Recovery Condensers

Closed vapor recovery condenser systems enable safe, eco-friendly solvent recovery by compressing vapors without atmospheric emissions, allowing the reuse of expensive chemicals. Shell and tube heat exchangers condense chemical and petroleum vapors into reusable liquid.

To prevent fouling, condenser surfaces in oil extraction should be polished to 32Ra or better, with optional electropolishing for a mirror-like finish, reducing contamination risks.

Ethanol Coolers

Shell and tube heat exchangers efficiently cool ethanol to sub-zero temperatures. They can be single or multi-pass units with removable bonnets for easy cleaning or U-tube designs with removable tube bundles. Thermal oil or liquid nitrogen flows through the shell, while ethanol passes through the sanitary tubes.

Evaporators & Reboilers

To recover solvents after oil extraction, vertical shell and tube heat exchangers, or reboilers, efficiently vaporize solvents. Steam or hot thermal oil in the shell heats the product in the tubes, causing solvents to vaporize and exit at the top to then be sent to a condenser. The remaining oil then moves to the next processing step. Falling film evaporators achieve similar results by flowing the product downward through tubes.

Since solvent and oil properties vary, OEMs specializing in evaporation often test and size equipment to ensure proper performance. Multiple evaporators may be needed for different flow rates, as these systems are not easily scalable.

Product contact surfaces should be polished to at least 32Ra for cleanliness, with options for pharmaceutical-grade finishes like 20Ra and electropolishing.

Coolers & Chillers

After separating solvents, organic vapors are condensed for reuse, and the product is cooled for testing and packaging using a shell and tube cooler. The product flows through the sanitary tube side, while the cooling utility circulates through the shell, guided by baffles to efficiently remove heat. This design prevents mixing between the product and coolant and allows easier cleaning compared to coil or plate coolers.

Cooling utilities, such as chilled water, glycol-water mixes, or thermal oil, are supplied by closed-loop refrigeration systems with adjustable temperature controls. Designers calculate coolant needs and optimize inlet temperatures, typically allowing for a 10°F rise during cooling.

Why Choose Enerquip for Your Processing Needs?

Enerquip combines decades of engineering expertise with a customer-first approach to deliver heat exchangers that are efficient, reliable, and tailored to your requirements. Our knowledgeable sales engineers are here to guide you through every step, from research to purchase.

Ready to get started? Contact an Enerquip Sales Engineer today to explore how our solutions can optimize your cannabis and plant oil extraction processes.

Learn more about the many benefits of incorporating shell-and-tube heat exchangers into your operation. Whether you’re exploring options or ready to make a decision, we’re here to help.

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