WO2022178625A1

WO2022178625A1 - Pressure distillation apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2022178625A1
Application number: PCT/CA2022/050241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilbert Fregoso
Original assignee: Evo Extracts Inc
Current assignee: Evo Extracts Inc
Priority date: 2021-02-23
Filing date: 2022-02-18
Publication date: 2022-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-23
Also published as: CA3208538A1; CA3208538C

Abstract

An apparatus and method for distilling desired compounds from a plant material. The apparatus (20) includes a feeder (22), such as a screw feed, extending from an input zone (24) to introduce a plant material, to a discharge zone (26) to remove processed plant material. One or more gasifier assemblies (34A, 34B, 34C) extend along a length of the feeder 22. Each of the gasifier assemblies has a heating chamber (35A, 35B, 35C) arranged to surround a length of the feeder (22) for heating the plant material as it is being conveyed therethrough, and a gasifier (37A, 37B, 37C) adjacent to and downstream of the heating chamber for introducing a carrier gas through a gas input (40A, 40B, 40C) for mixing with the one or more substances contained in the plant material to produce an distillation vapor comprising the gas and the one or more substances. The apparatus (20) also includes a vapor recovery section (38A, 38B, 38C) having a distillation head (44A, 44B, 44C) and a respective condenser (46A, 46B, 46C) within which the distillation vapor flow therethrough, and the one or more substances contained in the distillation vapor is converted into another form such as a liquid or solid. The one or more substances may flow into and collected in a collection tank (50A, 50B, 50C).

Description

PRESSURE DISTILLATION APPARATUS

Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims priority from US application No. 63/152,767 filed 23 February 2021 and entitled PRESSURE EXTRACTION APPARATUS and US application No. 63/308,389 filed 9 February 2022 and entitled PRESSURE DISTILLATION APPARATUS which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. For purposes of the United States of America, this application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of US application No. 63/152,767 filed 23 February 2021 and entitled PRESSURE EXTRACTION APPARATUS and US application No. 63/308,389 filed 9 February 2022 and entitled PRESSURE DISTILLATION APPARATUS.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention pertains to apparatuses and methods for distilling substances such as oil or resin contained in a plant material by adding or subtracting heat under vacuum.

Background

[0003] Although distillation of compounds contained in plant materials is known in the art, it remains desirable to provide an efficient, safe to operate, and cost effective apparatus and method for distilling desired substances contained in the plant material and separating the distillates in-situ, without the use of solvents. The present invention is directed to an improved pressure distillation apparatus.

Summary

[0004] The invention provides an automated and high-throughput apparatus for distilling one or more substances contained in a plant material. The apparatus has a feeder, such as a screw feed, for conveying the plant material from an input zone where a starting plant material is introduced thereto, to a discharge zone where processed plant material is discharged therefrom. Means may be provided to convey the feeder about its longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the plant material is being rotated as it is being conveyed along the feeder. One or more gasifier assemblies may extend along the length of the feeder.

Each of the gasifier assemblies may comprise a heating chamber and a gasifier. The heating chamber, which is heated to a desired temperature, may be arranged to extend and surround a length of the feeder. The gasifier may be arranged adjacent to and downstream of the heating chamber along the feeder. The gasifier may include a gas input arranged to inject a carrier gas, such as through to the feeder, to contact the plant material for mixing with one or more substances contained in the plant material to form a distillation vapor comprising the gas and the one or more substances. A vapor output may be arranged to allow the distillation vapor to flow out of the feeder and through to a vapor recovery section. The vapor recovery section may include means for converting the one or more substances contained in the distillation vapor into other forms such as a liquid solid and/or solid form. In some embodiments, the vapor recovery section includes a distillation head and a condenser. A heat pump and a cooling system may be operatively connected to the condenser for cooling the condenser and/or condensate. One or more collection tanks may be connected to the condenser to receive a distilled substance flowing therefrom.

[0005] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for distilling one or more substances using a distillation apparatus. The apparatus may be reduced to a pressure that is less than atmospheric. A starting plant material may be introduced into a feeder, and may be conveyed along the entire length thereof. In some embodiments, the feeder is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. In such embodiments, the plant material is rotated in the feeder when it is being conveyed along the length thereof. The plant material, while being conveyed along the feeder, enters a heating chamber where it is heated to a temperature set therein. The heated plant material may exit the heating chamber and enter a gasifier in which a carrier gas is introduced to mix with the one or more substances contained in the heated plant material, resulting in a distillation vapor comprising the gas and the one or more substances. The distillation vapor may flow out of the feeder and enter a vapor recovery section. The vapor recovery section may include a distillation head and a condenser. The distillation vapor may be cooled within the distillation head, and heated and cooled in the condenser, and thereby distilling into one or more substances into other forms such as a liquid form (e.g. oil) and/or a solid form. The one or more substances may then be collected within one or more collection flasks. The devolatized and/or decarboxylated (specifically, processed) plant material may be conveyed along the feeder to the discharge zone for removal therefrom (in embodiments in which one gasifier assembly is provided), or be conveyed into one or more additional heating chambers and gasifiers (in embodiments in which a plurality of gasifier assemblies is provided) for further devolatization and/or decarboxylation of the plant material.

[0006] Any suitable plant material which contain desired substances therein may be used as the starting plant material. The distilled products (or the desired substances) have many applications. One of such applications include the use thereof for nutritional and/or medical benefits. The distilled products may be used alone, or be combined with other ingredients to formulate pharmaceutical or nutritional products to provide the desired nutritional and/or medical benefits. In one example embodiment, the distillation apparatus and methods of this invention is used to distill cannabis or hemp biomass to produce desired cannabinoids.

[0007] Further aspects of the invention and features of specific embodiments of the invention are described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0009] Figure 1 is an elevational, partly cutaway, view of the distillation apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0010] Figure 2 is an elevational, partly cutaway, view of the apparatus of Figure 1 , showing the gasifier assembly and the vapor recovery section of the apparatus of Figure 1 with a plant material being conveyed therein.

[0011] Figure 3 is an isolated, elevational, partly cutaway view of the apparatus of Figure 1 , showing the input zone of the apparatus of Figure 1 with a plant material introduced therein.

[0012] Figure 4 is an isolated, elevational, partly cutaway view of the apparatus of Figure 1 , showing the gasifier assembly, vapor recovery section and discharge zone of the apparatus of Figure 1 with a plant material being discharged therefrom.

[0013] Figure 5 is a schematic view of the apparatus of Figure 1 .

[0014] Figure 6 is an isolated, elevational, partly cutaway view of the apparatus of

Figure 1 , showing an example screw feed of the apparatus of Figure 1 .

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Figure 8 is a schematic view of a plurality of the Figure 1 apparatuses connected to form a distillation unit according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Figure 9 is a schematic view of a plurality of the Figure 1 apparatuses connected to form a distillation unit according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0018] Figure 10 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

[0019] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, in one embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is a distillation apparatus 20 that is being operated under vacuum ( specifically, at a pressure that is less than atmospheric). The apparatus 20 has a feeder 22 for conveying a plant material along its length. The feeder 22 extends from an input zone 24 for introducing a starting plant material, to a discharge zone 26 for removing the processed plant material. As used herein, the expression “partially processed plant material” means that the plant material is partially or further devolatized and/or decarboxylated and thus contains at least some desired substances (such as oils, nutrients and bioactive compounds). The expression “fully processed plant material” means that the plant material is depleted of desired substances. The expression “processed plant material” means that the plant material may be either partially processed or fully processed.

[0020] Any suitable plant species may be used as the plant material. The plant species may be selected based on the desired one or more naturally-occurring substances contained therein. Such substances include for example, oils, e.g., essential oils, resin components, flavor materials, waxes, coloring matter, rosins, chemical compounds, etc. In some embodiments, the chemical compound comprises an aromatic compound. Non limiting examples of chemical compounds that may be found in the plant material include terpenoids, cannabinoids, esters, alkaloids, polyketides, and phenols. In an example embodiment, the plant material is hemp. In another example embodiment, the plant material is cannabis. In these example embodiments, the one or more substances include natural compounds such as cannabinoids.

[0021] The plant material may be a fresh plant material and/or a dried (partially or fully) plant material. The plant material may be obtained from any suitable part of a plant including for example branches, buds, and trim (for example, leaves, stem, and small buds). The plant material may be prepared prior to introduction into the feeder 22. The plant material may be processed (chemically or physically) or otherwise treated using any suitable methods to prepare the plant material in a form that is desirable for distillation. In example embodiments, the plant material is prepared by grinding the material to break up the material into small pieces. In other example embodiments, the plant material is prepared by lysing the cells of the plant material. This may be done by any suitable chemical and/or mechanical cell lysis methods. In further example embodiments, the plant material is prepared by freezing the material.

[0022] The feeder 22 may be any suitable type of feeder, such as any volumetric feeder or gravimetric feeder. Non-limiting examples include screw feeds, belt feeders, and the like. The feeder 22 may be configured to convey the plant material through a longitudinal length thereof. In an example embodiment, the feeder 22 is a screw feed 22. In such embodiments, the screw feed 22 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and thereby rotating the plant material as it is being conveyed along the length of the screw feed 22.

[0023] In some embodiments, the screw feed 22 comprises a screw blade 25 which extends along an entire length (Ls) thereof. In other embodiments, the screw feed 22 comprises a screw blade 25 which extends along a portion of the entire length (Ls) of the screw feed 22. Figure 6 illustrates an example screw feed 22 according to such embodiment. The screw feed 22 includes an input section 27 comprising the screw blade 25 removably connectable to one or more tubes 29, which may be entirely or partially hollow, to form the entire length (Ls) of the screw feed 22. The opening 30 of the screw blade 25 and the openings 31 of each of the one or more tubes 29 are in communication with one another so as to allow the plant material to travel through the screw blade 25 and the one or more tubes 29 along the longitudinal axis of the screw feed 22. The one or more tubes 29 may be removably connectable to one another, thereby allowing the screw feed 22 to be adjustable in length (Ls). The length (Ls) of the screw feed 22 may be adjusted to correspond to the number of gasifier assemblies 34 arranged to form the apparatus 20 (the gasifier assemblies 34 will be discussed in detail below). For example, in embodiments in which the apparatus 20 includes one gasifier assembly 34, one tube 29 may be arranged to connect to the screw blade 25 to form the screw feed 22. In embodiments in which the apparatus 20 includes nine gasifier assemblies 24, nine tubes 29 may be arranged to connect to the screw blade 25 to form the screw feed 22.

[0024] Means are provided within the apparatus 20 to convey the screw feed 22 about its longitudinal axis. Such means may include a drive motor 28 operatively connected to a barrel (not shown) of the screw feed 22 for rotation thereof. A hollow tube 32 may be arranged to enclose the entire length of the screw feed 22. A first temperature control system 25 may be operatively connected to the tube 32 for heating or cooling the entire length of the tube 32 so as to maintain the screw feed 22 at a desired temperature. In an example embodiment, the first temperature control system 25 is a liquid system. The liquid system comprises a liquid pump operative to convey liquid coolant through the entire length of the tube 32. Other suitable temperature control systems may be used such as a gas system or a semiconductor system.

[0025] The dimensions of the screw feed 22 may be adjusted to optimize the distillation process. For example, the dimensions of the screw feed 22 may be adjusted to change the flow rate at which the plant material conveys through the screw feed 22. Such flow rate may in turn have an impact on for example the total distillation time and/or yield of the process.. In some embodiments, the channel depth of the screw feed 22 is no more than about 0.5 inches, or no more than about 0.25 inches. The channel depth of the screw feed is defined by the radial distance from the bore of the barrel to the root of the screw. A thin film screw feed (i.e., a screw feed with a sufficiently shallow channel depth such as one which has a channel depth of no more than about 0.5 inches) may allow the plant material to be conveyed through the screw feed in very thin layers, thereby facilitating even vaporization throughout the plant material within one or more gasifier assemblies. The channel depth of the screw feed 22 may not be consistent throughout its length (Ls). In some embodiments, the length of the screw feed 22 is defined by varying channel depths.

[0026] In example embodiments, the apparatus 20 has one gasifier assembly 34. In other example embodiments, the apparatus 20 has a plurality of gasifier assemblies 34. Embodiments of this invention include any number of gasifier assemblies suitable for distilling the desired substances contained in the plant material. In embodiments in which a plurality of gasifier assemblies 34 is provided, each one of the gasifier assemblies 34 may be maintained at different operating conditions (for example, one or more of temperature, pressure, flow rate of gas/liquid, etc.). The different operating conditions maintained at each one of the gasifier assemblies 34 facilitate the distillation of the desired one or more substances based on their properties (e.g., boiling point, melting point, viscosity, density, etc.). Each of the gasifier assemblies 34 is maintained at conditions suitable for distillation of one desired substance or a group of desired substances contained in the plant material. The conditions at the gasifier assemblies 34 may be adjusted to optimize the distillation of the particular substance of interest, e.g., to increase product yield and/or purity of the desired substance. The plurality of gasifier assemblies 34 may advantageously increase the purity of the desired substance distilled from the plant material, and allow for more efficient distillation of a plurality of desired substances from the plant material since more than one desired substance can be distilled from the plant material per cycle of the distillation process.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiments, the apparatus 20 has three gasifier assemblies 34: a first gasifier assembly 34A, a second gasifier assembly 34B, and a third gasifier assembly 34C. Each of the gasifier assemblies 34A, 34B, 34C includes a heating chamber 35 A, 35B, 35C and a gasifier 37 A, 37B, 37C.

[0028] In some embodiments, the heating chambers 35A, 35B, 35C each extends longitudinally along a length of the screw feed 22 and surrounds a portion of the entire length thereof. The heating chambers 35A, 35B, 35C may be arranged spaced-apart from one another along the screw feed 22. Means may be provided within the apparatus to heat each of the heating chambers 35A, 35B, 35C to the desired temperatures such that the plant material is being heated to the desired temperatures as it passes through each of the heating chambers 35A, 35B, 35C while it is being conveyed along the screw feed 22. The heating chambers 35A, 35B, 35C may be heated to different temperatures and thereby permitting different substances contained in the plant material to be distilled based on their boiling points. In one embodiment, the first heating chamber 34A is heated to a temperature lower than that maintained within the second and third heating chambers 34B, 34C, and the second heating chamber 34B is heated to a temperature lower than that maintained within the third heating chamber 34C. To prevent the movement of heat between the heating chambers 34A, 34B, 34C, a thermal insulating material 36 may be arranged to surround each of the walls thereof. The screw feed 22 may be maintained at a temperature lower than that within the heating chambers 34A, 34B, 34C.

[0029] A gasifier 37 A, 37B, 37C (collectively, gasifier 37) may be arranged adjacent to and downstream of each of the heating chambers 34A, 34B, 34C along the screw feed 22 for introducing a carrier gas to the heated plant material to form an distillation vapor. The distillation vapor may be formed from the devolatization (for example, the removal of volatile substances) and/or decarboxylation (for example, the removal of carboxyl groups) of the heated plant material. In the illustrated embodiments, the first and second heating chambers 34A, 34B are separated along the screw feed 22 by a first gasifier 37 A, and the second and third heating chambers 34B, 34C are separated along the screw feed 22 by a second gasifier 37B. A third gasifier 37C may be arranged along the screw feed 22 between the third heating chamber 34C and the discharge zone 26.

[0030] The first, second and third gasifiers 37 A, 37B, 37C (each generally referred to as the gasifier 37) may each include a respective first gas input 40A, second gas input 40B, and third gas input 40C for introducing a carrier gas into the screw feed 22. Any suitable gas or mixture of suitable gases may be used as the carrier gas. The carrier gas may for example be one or more of an inert gas such as argon or nitrogen, a non-inert gas such as helium, krypton, neon and xenon, an active gas such as nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, and chlorine, or any gaseous product. Such gaseous product may for example be obtained from the volatilization of a liquid in a process performed in a different apparatus. The carrier gas may contact the plant material that is being conveyed along the screw feed 22 and which has been heated at the respective one of the heating chambers 34A, 34B, 34C, to mix with one or more substances contained therein to form a distillation vapor comprising the gas and the one or more substances. The carrier gas advantageously speeds up the devolatization and/or decarboxylation of the heated plant materials and/or initiate and participate in in-situ chemical reactions which would result in the formation of different materials or combinations of materials, and/or act as a catalyst, and/or change the rate of condensation at which the distillation vapor converts into another form such as liquid or solid.

[0031] A first, second, and third vapor output 42A, 42B, 42C, which may be arranged vertically opposite to the respective first, second and third gas inputs 40A, 40B, 40C, allow the distillation vapor to flow out of the screw feed 22 and into a first, second, and third vapor recovery section 38A, 38B, 38C respectively. A membrane 45A, 45B, 45C may be arranged at the respective vapor output 42A, 42B, 42C. In an example embodiment, membrane 45A, 45B, 45C comprises a gas membrane for preventing passage of the plant material and only allowing the distillation vapor to flow therethrough.

[0032] In addition to the gas membrane or in the alternative, the membrane 45A, 45B, 45C may comprise any type of filtration membrane or a combination of different types of filtration membranes arranged to selectively separate the one or more desired substances based on one or more of their properties. For example, the membrane 45A, 45B, 45C may comprise an ion selective membrane arranged to selectively separate the desired substances based on charge. In another example, the membrane 45A, 45B, 45C may comprise pores of certain sizes so as to selectively separate the desired substances based on molecular size. The filtration membranes may assist in accelerating the filtration of specific substances of interest.

[0033] The vapor recovery sections 38A, 38B, 38C (each generally referred to as the vapor recovery section 38) may include means for distilling the one or more substances contained in the distillation vapor into a liquid form. In the illustrated embodiments, such means includes a first, second and third distillation head 44A, 44B, 44C connected to a first, second and third condensers 46A, 46B, 46C respectively. Means may be provided to maintain each of the first, second and third distillation heads 44A, 44B, 44C and first, second and third condensers 46A, 46B, 46C at the desired temperatures that are suitable for distilling the distillation vapor into the one or more substances, such as in the form of crude oil. Such means may include a heat source operatively connected to each of the distillation heads 44A, 44B, 44C and a heat pump, and a second cooling system 48 operative to cool the condensers. In one example, the second cooling system 48 is a liquid cooling system comprising a liquid pump operatively connected to each of the condensers 46A, 46B, 46C for conveying liquid coolant to the condensers. The temperatures within each of the distillation heads 44A, 44B, 44C may be maintained at a temperature lower than that within their respective heating chambers 35A, 35B, 35C, and/or at a temperature higher than that within their respective condensers 46A, 46B, 46C. The distillation vapor begins to convert into the one or more substances in the respective first, second and third distillation heads 44A, 44B, 44C as the distillation vapor is being cooled therein. The remaining distillation vapor and the one or more substances flow from the first, second and third distillation heads 44A, 44B, 44C into the respective first, second and third condensers 46A, 46B, 46C, within which the distillation vapor is heated and cooled to continue converting the remaining substances contained in the distillation vapor into liquid.

[0034] The combination of each distillation head and the corresponding condenser may form a detachable vapor recovery unit. The vapor recovery unit may be operative to convert vapor into liquid as the vapor and/or combination of vapor and liquid flow through the distillation head followed by the corresponding condenser. The vapor recovery unit may be connected to any other components necessary to form a standalone apparatus for distillation. In one non-limiting example, the distillation head is connected to one or more input feed lines for feeding a vapor to be converted. In another non-limiting example, the condenser is connected to one or more collection vessels for collecting the distilled liquid. [0035] In the illustrated embodiments, first, second and third collection tanks 50A, 50B, 50C (each generally referred to as the collection tank 50) are connected to the respective first, second and third condensers 46A, 46B, 46C for collecting the one or more substances recovered from each of the vapor recovery sections 38A, 38B, 38C. A valve (not shown) may be arranged between the collection tanks 50A, 50B, 50C and their respective condensers 46A, 46B, 46C to selectively stop the flow of substances into the collection tanks 50 during the operation of the apparatus 20. This allows the collection tanks 50A, 50B, 50C to disconnect from the corresponding condensers 46A, 46B, 46C, allowing the one or more substances to be collected from the collection tanks 50 during the operation of the apparatus 20, while maintaining the vacuum therein.

[0036] Means may be provided within the apparatus 20 for heating the gas before introducing it into the screw feed 22 (for example by means of a gas heater 86), and/or for regulating the rate at which the gas flows into the screw feed 22 (by example by means of a gas regulator 19) . In some embodiments, the gas inputs 40A, 40B, 40C are connected to a valve system arranged such that the gas injected from the gas inputs flows through the valve system before entering the screw feed 22. Any suitable valve systems may be used; for example those that are dimensioned to cause an increase in the velocity of the fluid and/or a reduction in the pressure of the fluid as it flows therethrough. In an example embodiment, the valve system is a venturi valve. The addition of a valve system such as a venturi valve may have the advantage of increasing the speed of gas flow through the screw feed 22, and thereby increasing the speed at which the distillation vapor flows through the distillation heads 44A, 44B, 44C. In another example embodiment, the valve system comprises Joule Thomson valves. The addition of Joule Thomson valves may provide the Joule-Thomson effect, which would result in increasing the speed of gas flow through the apparatus 20 and/or atomizing the gas that flows through it, advantageously improving the efficacy and efficiency of the distillation.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiments, the plant material passes through three gasifier assemblies 34A, 34B, 34C as it is being conveyed along the screw feed 22. The plant material becomes partially, further or fully devolatized and/or decarboxylated (i.e., processed) when it exits each of the gasifier assemblies 34A, 34B, 34C. The plant material becomes increasingly processed as it passes serially through each of the gasifier assemblies 34A, 34B, 34C along the screw feed 22. The plant material may be partially processed upon discharge from of the screw feed 22.

[0038] In some embodiments, the input 24 and discharge 26 zones include a respective input and output rotary valve 52A, 52B for selectively introducing starting plant material into the screw feed 22, and removing processed plant material out of the screw feed 22 respectively while the apparatus 20 is being continuously operated under vacuum. As best shown in Figure 3, the input zone 24 includes a hopper 54 for receiving a starting plant material. The hopper 54 may be mounted on a T-head compartment 56 which houses the input rotary valve 52A. The input rotary valve 52A may have a first opening 58 and an opposed second opening 60, each arranged to be aligned with a passageway 62 through to the hopper 54 to receive the starting plant material flowing therefrom, and with a passageway 64, proximate to an input end 72 of the screw feed 22, through to the screw feed 22, to introduce plant material thereto. Means may be provided for rotating the input rotary valve 52A to move the first and second openings 58, 60 in alignment between the passageways 62, 64, and thereby transferring the starting plant material from the hopper 54 into the screw feed 22.

[0039] As best shown in Figure 4, the discharge zone 26 may also include a T-head compartment 66 which houses the output rotary valve 52B. The output rotary valve 52B may have a first opening 68 and an opposed second opening 70, each arranged to be aligned with a passageway 74, proximate to the output end 76 of the screw feed 22, through from the screw feed 22 to receive processed plant material therefrom, and with a passageway 78 through to a residue collection tank 80 for removal out of the apparatus 20. Means may be provided for rotating the output rotary valve 52B to move the first and second openings 68, 70 in alignment between the passageways 74, 78, and thereby removing the processed plant material received within one of the openings 68, 70 out of the screw feed 22.

[0040] In some embodiments, sealing means are provided within the T-head compartments 56, 66 for maintaining the apparatus 20 under vacuum when the openings 58, 60, 68, 70 are being exposed to atmospheric pressure. The rotary valves 52A, 52B may each include a position sensor such as a magnetic position sensor, operatively connected to the rotating means, for monitoring and thereby controlling the position of the rotary valves during the distillation process.

[0041] The amount of starting plant material to be distilled and/or the amount of distilled product that is produced from the distillation process may be metered. In example embodiments, the first and second openings 58, 60, 68, 70 are sized to receive a known amount of starting plant material or processed plant material by weight from the hopper 54 and screw feed 22 respectively, so that the total amount of plant material being conveyed along the screw feed 22 and thereby being distilled during a distillation process can be metered. In some embodiments, the apparatus 20 includes a measurement device 94. The measurement device 94 may be arranged downstream from one or more of the vapor recovery sections 38 and upstream of the corresponding collection tank 50. The measurement device 94 may be operative to measure the amount of distilled product that flows out of each of the vapor recovery sections 38. In an example embodiment, the measurement device 94 comprises a flowmeter. Any suitable flowmeters may be used. Non-limiting examples include optical flowmeters, electromagnetic flow meters, ultrasonic flowmeters, and thermal mass flowmeters.

[0042] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7, the apparatus 20 includes a vapor chamber 96 arranged along the feeder 22. The vapor chamber 96 may be arranged downstream of the input zone 24 and upstream of the gasifier assemblies 34. Means may be provided to introduce a gas (for example, a gas supply line 97) and/or to regulate the flow of the gas (for example, a gas regulator 98) into the vapor chamber 96. The vapor chamber 96 may be fluidly connected to the feeder 22, thereby exposing the plant material to the gas within the vapor chamber 96 as the plant material is being conveyed through the length of the feeder 22. This preconditions the starting plant material prior to the distillation thereof in the one or more gasifier assemblies 34. The preconditioning step may improve the production rate and/or the product purity. In an example embodiment, the gas comprises an alcohol vapor. A reservoir 99 containing alcohol may be connected to the vapor chamber 96, by for example the gas supply line 97. The reservoir 99 containing the alcohol may be heated by a heating source 95 to produce alcohol vapor. The alcohol vapor may then be introduced into the vapor chamber 96 through the gas supply line 97, thereby subjecting the plant material in contact with the alcohol vapor prior to the distillation thereof within the one or more gasifier assemblies 34.

[0043] As schematically illustrated in Figures 5 and 7, the apparatus 20 may include a computer system 82, programmed and connected to control the operation of the system, including controlling the drive motor 23 to convey the screw feed 22, a vacuum pump 84 operatively connected to vacuum ports in the apparatus 20 for reducing the pressure within the apparatus 20 to a pressure less than atmospheric, the first and second cooling systems 25, 48 for maintaining within the screw feed 22, and condensers 46A, 46B, 46C at the desired temperatures, power supply 86 for heating the heating chambers 34A, 34B, 34C, the distillation heads 44A, 44B, 44C and/or the condensers 46A, 46B, 46C to the desired temperatures, drive motors 88 for rotating the rotary valves 52A, 52B, and position sensors for sensing the positions of the rotary valves 52A, 52B (in embodiments in which such components are included in the apparatus 20). Non-limiting examples of a suitable power supply 86 include plasma generators, bias DC field generators, electric radiators, boilers and the like. The computer system may include a computer control program that interfaces with DAC card controller, which in turn sends signals to the different drivers to control the operation of the system. Conventional vacuum seals 92 and liquid coolant seals 94 may also be provided at each of the input and output ends 72, 76 of the screw feed 22 for maintaining the screw feed 22 under vacuum and at the desired temperature respectively.

[0044] In some embodiments, the apparatus 20 operates according to the following method. The vacuum pump 84, cooling systems 25, 48, power supply 86, motors 23, 88, diffusion pump(s), and sensors (if present) are all under the control of the computer system 82. The apparatus 20 is brought to a pressure lower than atmospheric. In embodiments in which a plurality of gasifier assemblies are provided, the gasifier assemblies 34A, 34B, 34C and their respective vapor recovery sections 38A, 38B, 38C may be brought to different operating pressures, so as to facilitate the separation and recovery of different compounds contained in the plant material. Operating pressures may be in the range, for example, from about 0.001 Torr (0.000133 kPa) to 10 Torr (1.33 kPa). The heating chambers 34A, 34B, 34C may be heated to the desired temperatures. The screw feed 22, distillation heads 44A, 44B, 44C, and condensers 46A, 46B, 46C may be maintained at the desired temperatures. [0045] In some embodiments, each of the gasifier assemblies 34A, 34B, 34C and their respective vapor recovery sections 38A, 38B, 38C are subjected to different combinations of specific temperatures and operating pressures so as to distill different substances from the plant material. The specific temperatures and operating pressures may be selected based on the substances of interest, and in particular based on the properties (e.g., the boiling points) of the substances of interest. In an example embodiment in which the plant material is hemp or cannabis and the desired substances to be recovered comprises terpenes, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) with boiling points of about 156°C, 157°C, 160-180°C and 185°C respectively, the one or more heating chambers are heated to a temperature in the range of from about 160°C to about 240°C, the distillation head is maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 98°C to about 114°C, and the condenser is maintained at a temperature in the range of from about 50°C to about 60°C. In some embodiments, specific varietals of a certain compound can be selectively distilled by selecting specific temperatures and operating pressures. For example, THC includes the varietals THCA, THCV, Delta-8 THC, and Delta-9 THC. Certain one or more of these varietals may be selectively distilled by selecting suitable specific temperatures and operating pressures based on the properties of the specific varietals of interest.

[0046] In an example embodiment, a starting plant material is loaded into the hopper 54. The input rotary valve 52A is rotated to align the first or second opening 58, 60 with the passageway 62 through which a measured amount of plant material is fed into the first or second opening 58, 60. The input rotary valve 52A is then rotated to align the first or second opening 58, 60 with the passageway 64 through which the measured amount of starting plant material is introduced into the screw feed 22. Once introduced into the screw feed 22, the plant material is conveyed along the screw feed 22 and enters the first heating chamber 35A where the plant material is heated to the temperature maintained at the first heating chamber 35A. The heated plant material exits the first heating chamber 35A and enters the first gasifier 37A within which a carrier gas is introduced from the first gas input 40A. The carrier gas contacts the heated plant material and mixes with one or more substances contained therein to produce a distillation vapor comprising the introduced gas and the one or more substances. The distillation vapor flows out of the screw feed 22 through the first vapor output 42A into the first vapor recovery section 38A. The first vapor recovery section 38 may include the first distillation head 44A and the first condenser 46A within which the one or more substances contained in the distillation vapor is converted into one or more substances in the form of a liquid, e.g., an oil product. The one or more substances flow into and are collected in the first collection tank 50A.

[0047] The processed plant material (specifically, the plant material remaining in the first gasifier 37A after the distillation vapor flows out of the screw feed 22 through the vapor output 42A) continues to convey along the screw feed 22 downstream of the vapor recovery section 38A. In embodiments in which the apparatus 20 includes only one gasifier assembly 34A, the processed plant material is conveyed along the screw feed 22 to the discharge zone 26 for removal from the apparatus 20. At the discharge zone 26, the output rotary valve 52B is rotated to align the first or second opening 68, 70 with the passageway 74 through which a measured amount of processed plant material is fed into the first or second opening 68, 70. The output rotary valve 52B is then rotated to align the first or second opening 68, 70 with the passageway 78 through which the measured amount of the processed plant material is discharged into the residue collection tank 80.

[0048] In embodiments in which a plurality of gasifier assemblies is provided, the plant material enters each of the gasifier assemblies serially prior to being discharged from the screw feed 22, such that the plant material becomes increasing processed as it is being conveyed along the screw feed. In the example embodiments in which three gasifier assemblies 34A, 34B, 34C are arranged along the length of the screw feed 22, the plant material becomes partially processed upon exiting the first gasifier assembly 34A. The partially processed plant material enters the second gasifier assembly 34B, within which it is being heated to the temperature set at the second heating chamber 35B. The heated partially processed plant material exits the second heating chamber 35B and enters the second gasifier 37B within which a carrier gas is introduced from the second gas input 40B. The carrier gas contacts the heated partially processed plant material and mixes with one or more substances contained therein to produce a distillation vapor containing the gas and the one or more substances. The distillation vapor flows out of the screw feed 22 through the second vapor output 42B into the second vapor recovery section 38B. The second vapor recovery section 38B may include the second distillation head 44B and the second condenser 46B within which the one or more substances contained within the distillation vapor is converted into one or more substances in the form of a liquid. The one or more substances flow into and are collected in the second collection tank 50B.

[0049] The further processed plant material (specifically, the plant material remaining in the second gasifier 37B after the distillation vapor flows out of the screw feed 22 through the second vapor output 42B) continues to convey along the screw feed 22 downstream of the second vapor recovery section 38B, and enters the third gasifier assembly 34C. The further processed plant material enters the third gasifier assembly 34C, within which it is being heated to the temperature set at the third heating chamber 35C. The heated further processed plant material exits the third heating chamber 35C and enters the third gasifier 37C within which a carrier gas is introduced from the third gas input 40C. The carrier gas contacts the heated further processed plant material and mixes with one or more substances contained therein to produce an distillation vapor comprising the gas and the one or more substances. The distillation vapor flows out of the screw feed 22 through the third vapor output 42C into the third vapor recovery section 38C. The third vapor recovery section 38C may include the third distillation head 44C and the third condenser 46C within which the one or more substances contained within the distillation vapor is converted into one or more substances in the form of a liquid. The one or more substances flow into and are collected in the third collection tank 50C.

[0050] In an example embodiment, a cannabinoid product is distilled from a raw plant material using a pressure distillation apparatus of the type depicted in Figure 1 . In this example, the cannabinoid product comprises both CBD and THC, in the range of from about 80% to 95% by weight, and about 1% to about 10% by weight of the cannabinoid product respectively. A substantial amount of the THC (i.e., over 90%, or over 99%) comprises the variant Delta-9 THC, with less than about 0.1% to 3% of THCa, THCV and Delta-8 THC being detected in the cannabinoid product. The CBD contained in the cannabinoid product comprises less than about 5%, or less than 1% of CBDa and CBDV detected. The cannabinoid product comprises about 1% to about 10% of CBN, CBGa, CBG and CBC. As compared to the cannabinoid profile of the raw, unprocessed, plant material, the amount of Delta-9 THC and CBD contained in the distilled cannabinoid product increased by over about 90%. [0051] In an example embodiments, about 50 to 80% of cannabinoid is distilled at a rate between 10 to 35 Ibs/hr using a pressure distillation apparatus of the type depicted in Figure 1.

[0052] In some embodiments, a plurality of distillation apparatuses 20, 100 are connected to form one distillation unit 200. The plurality of distillation apparatuses 20, 100 may be connected to operate in concert. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate example distillation units 200, 300 comprising three distillation apparatuses 20A, 20B, 20C (collectively referred to as distillation apparatuses 20). Each of the distillation apparatuses 20A, 20B, 20C in the illustrated distillation units 200, 300 comprises one gasifier assembly 34 (34A, 34B, 34C). However, the distillation units 200, 300 may comprise any number of distillation apparatuses 20. Each of the distillation apparatuses 20 in the distillation unit 200, 300 may comprise any number of gasifier assemblies 34.

[0053] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the discharge zone 26A of the distillation apparatus 20A is connected to the input zone 24B of the distillation apparatus 20B, and the discharge zone 26B of the distillation apparatus 20B is connected to the input zone 24C of the distillation apparatus 20C. This allows the processed plant material discharged from the distillation apparatus 20A to be introduced into the distillation apparatus 20B for further processing therein. The further processed plant material is then discharged from the distillation apparatus 20B to be introduced into the distillation apparatus 20C for even further processing therein. The even further processed plant material that is discharged from the distillation apparatus 20C may become waste for disposal. Alternatively, the even further processed plant material may be processed further in additional distillation apparatuses (not shown).

[0054] In some embodiments, the plurality of distillation apparatuses 20 are operatively connected to a separate vacuum pump 84 (for example, vacuum pumps 84A, 84B, 84C shown in the distillation unit 300 in Figure 9). In other embodiments (as shown in the Figure 8 embodiment), the plurality of distillation apparatuses 20 are operatively connected to a single vacuum pump 84. In such embodiments, a check valve 87A, 87B, 87C may be arranged to operatively connect each of the distillation apparatuses 20 to the single vacuum pump 84 so as to control the flow of pressure directed to each of the distillation apparatuses 20 as desired during the distillation process. [0055] Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. Referring to Figure 10, a distillation apparatus 100 is being operated under vacuum. Similar to the apparatus 20, the apparatus 100 includes an input zone 124, an output zone 126, and a feeder 122 for conveying a plant material along its length. The apparatus 100 comprises one or more heaters 101 arranged along the feeder 122. The one or more heaters 101 may be maintained at a temperature sufficient to heat the plant material to a desired temperature. The apparatus 100 may also include one or more compactors 192 arranged downstream of the heater 101 along the feeder 122, and upstream of the corresponding collection tank 150 (if a collection tank 150 is present). The compactor 192 is operative to compress the heated plant material, thereby facilitating the distillation of the desired substances contained in the plant material. The desired substances may then flow into the collection tank 150 for storage. The processed plant material is conveyed towards the discharge zone 126 for removal from the feeder 122. An example application of this apparatus 100 is the distillation of cannabis resin. In such example application, the heating of the plant material at the heater 101 facilitates the loosening of the desired oils contained in the plant material. The heated plant material then flows into the compactor 192 where the loosened oils are distilled out of the plant material. The distilled oils then flow into collection tank 150. The processed plant material is conveyed towards the discharge zone 126 for removal from feeder 122.

[0056] Aspects of the invention relate to methods of generating and collecting data from operating a distillation apparatus of the invention. The data may include an amount of and/or a purity of one or more distilled products produced from the distillation of an amount of a starting plant material. The methods of the invention may include identifying and/or measuring the one or more distilled products. In example embodiments, the one or more distilled products comprise one or more cannabinoid compounds such as THC (for example, delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC), CBD, CBN, CBG, CBD, and all of the varietals, isomers, variants, and/or derivative products of these compounds.

Example 1

[0057] A raw plant material is processed using a pressure distillation apparatus of the type depicted in Figure 1 . The raw plant material comprises about 6% by weight of total cannabinoids comprising about 0.2% by weight of total THC and about 5% by weight of total CBD. Specifically, the cannabinoid profile of the raw plant material being about 0.2% by weight of THCa, about 0.1% by weight of Delta-9 THC, about 5% by weight of CBDa, about 1 .0% by weight of CBD, 0.1% by weight of CBGa, 0.03% by weight of CBG, 0.05% by weight of CBC, and non-detectable amounts of Delta-8 THC, THCV, CBDV and CBN.

[0058] In this example, a screw feed of 2.384 meters long having a channel depth of 0.25 inches, and conveys at a speed of 1 rpm is used as the feeder. Each of the three gasifier assemblies is about 22 inches long. The temperatures in the first, second and third heating chambers are maintained at 157°C, 160°C, and 185°C respectively. The temperature in the first, second, and third distillation heads is maintained at 112°C. The temperature in the first, second, and third condensers is maintained at 57°C respectively. The vacuum pressure in the apparatus is maintained at 2.5 Torr. The total weight of the raw plant material that is processed was 10 pounds, and the processing time is 60 minutes. The apparatus processes at a rate of 10 pounds of plant material per hour, and about 64.71% to 67.32% by weight of total cannabinoids is distilled, comprising about 1 .95% to 2.20% by weight of total THC and about 57.57% to about 60.75% by weight of total CBD. Specifically, the cannabinoid profile of the distilled cannabinoid product being about 1 .95% to 2.2% by weight of Delta-9 THC, about 0.09% to 0.38% by weight of Delta-8 THC, non-detectable amounts to about 0.04% by weight of THCV, about 57.57% to 60.75% by weight of CBD, about 1 .03% to 0.38% by weight of CBDV, about 0.12% to 0.27% by weight of CBN, about 0.88% to 1 .26% by weight of CBG, about 2.34% to 2.76% by weight of CBC, and non- detectable amounts of THCa, CBDa and CBGa. Other compounds may be present in the distilled product but only certain compounds were identified and measured.

[0059] No detectable amounts of the following chemical residues were detected in the distilled cannabinoids product: aldicarb, carbofuran, chlordane, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, daminozide, dichlorvos, dimethoate, ethoprophos, etofenprox, fenoyxcarb, fipronil, imazalil, methiocarb, parathion methyl, mevinphos, paclobutrazol, propoxur, spiroxamine, thiacloprid, abamectin, acephate, acequinocyl, acetamiprid, azoxystrobin, bifenazate, bifrenthrin, boscalid, captan, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, clofentezine, cyrfluthrin, cypermethrin, diazinon, dimethomorph, etoxazole, fenhexamid, fenproximate, flonicamid, flonicamid, fludioxonil, hexythiazox, imidacloprid, kresoxim methyl, malathion, metalaxyl, methomyl, mycobutanil, naled, oxamyl, pentachloronitrobenzene, permethrin, phosmet, piperonyl butoxide, prallethrin, propiconazole, pyrethrins, pyridaben, spinetoram, spinosad, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, tebuconazole, thiamethoxam, and trifloxystrobin.

[0060] Throughout the foregoing description and the drawings, in which corresponding and like parts are identified by the same reference characters, specific details have been set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail or at all to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure.

[0061] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

Claims

1 . An apparatus (20) for distilling a substance from a plant material, comprising: an input zone (24) for introduction of the plant material; a discharge zone (26) for removal of a processed plant material; a feeder (22) for conveying the plant material, the feeder extending from the input zone to the discharge zone; a first gasifier assembly (34A) extending along the feeder, the first gasifier assembly comprising (i) a first heating chamber (35A) arranged to surround a length of the feeder and (ii) a first gasifier (37A) arranged adjacent to the first heating chamber, the first gasifier including (i) a first gas input (40A) arranged to introduce a carrier gas for contacting the plant material to mix with one or more substances therein to form a distillation vapor and (ii) a first vapor output (42A) arranged to output the distillation vapor; a first vapor recovery section (38A) connected to the first gasifier assembly for receiving the distillation vapor from the first vapor output, the first vapor recovery section having means (44A, 46A) for converting the distillation vapor into one or more substances; means (28) for conveying the feeder; means (84) for reducing the pressure inside the apparatus; and means (25, 48, 86) for controlling the temperature inside the apparatus.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the converting means comprises: a first distillation head (44A) arranged to receive the distillation vapor from the first vapor output; and a first condenser (46A) connected to the first distillation head arranged to receive the distillation vapor from the first distillation head, wherein the first condenser is configured to convert the distillation vapor into the one or more substances.

3. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feeder comprises a rotatable screw feed.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the feeder comprises a plurality of tubes removably connectable to one or both ends of the rotatable screw feed, and wherein the plurality of tubes is in communication with the rotatable screw feed arranged for the plant material to be conveyed therethrough.

5. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for conveying the feeder comprises rotating the feeder about a longitudinal axis thereof.

6. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a hopper (54) connected at the input zone for receiving the plant material.

7. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first vapor recovery section further comprises a first collection tank (50A) connected to the converting means, arranged to receive the one or more substances flowing therefrom.

8. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input zone comprises an input rotary valve (52A) having a first opening (58), a second opening (60), and means (88) for rotating the input rotary valve, wherein rotation of the input rotary valve selectively moves the first and second openings between being aligned with a passageway (62) through to the hopper to receive an amount of the plant material therefrom, and a passageway (64) through to the feeder to transfer the amount of plant material thereto.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the first and second openings of the rotary valve are each sized to receive a known amount of the plant material measurable by weight.

10. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge zone comprises an output rotary valve (52B) having a first opening (68), a second opening (70), and means (88) for rotating the discharge rotary valve, wherein rotation of the rotary valve selectively moves the first and second openings between being aligned with a passageway (74) through to the feeder to receive an amount of the processed plant material therefrom, and a passageway (78) through to a residue collection tank (80) to transfer the amount of the processed plant material thereto.

11 . The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a plurality of gasifier assemblies (34) extending spaced-apart along the feeder arranged between the first gasifier assembly and the discharge zone, wherein each of the plurality of gasifier assemblies comprises: (i) a heating chamber (35) arranged to surround a length of the feeder, and (ii) a gasifier (37) arranged adjacent to a respective one of the heating chambers, and wherein each one of the plurality of gasifiers comprises (i) a gas input (40) arranged to introduce a carrier gas therein for contacting a partially processed plant material to mix with one or more substances from the partially processed plant material to form a distillation vapor and (ii) a vapor output (42) arranged to output the distillation vapor; and a plurality of vapor recovery sections (38) each connected to a respective one of the plurality of gasifier assemblies, each one of the plurality of vapor recovery sections having means for converting the distillation vapor into one or more substances.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the converting means comprises: a plurality of distillation heads (44) arranged to receive the distillation vapor from the respective one of the vapor outputs; and a plurality of condensers (46) each connected to the respective one of the distillation heads arranged to receive the distillation vapor therefrom, wherein the plurality of condensers is configured to convert the distillation vapor into the one or more substances.

13. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a collection tank (50) connected to the converting means to receive the one or more substances flowing therefrom.

14. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for pretreating the plant material, wherein the means for pretreating the plant material is arranged upstream of the input zone.

15. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more substances is in solid form.

16. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the one or more substances is in liquid form.

17. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more substances comprise an aromatic compound.

18. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more substances comprise one or more of THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBD, and the varietals, isomers, variants, and derivative products thereof.

19. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating chamber comprises an insulating material (36) surrounding the walls thereof.

20. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for heating the carrier gas prior to introduction into the gasifier.

21 . The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for regulating the flow rate of the carrier gas.

22. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a separation membrane (45) arranged between the vapor outlet and the distillation head for filtering the distillation vapor from the plant material.

23. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more valve systems connected to the gas input.

24. The apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the valve systems comprise one or both of a venturi valve and a Joule-Thomson valve.

25. The apparatus as defined in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a vapor chamber for preconditioning the plant material, the vapor chamber being arranged along the feeder, downstream of the input zone and upstream of the first gasifier assembly; and means to introduce a gas to the vapor chamber.

26. The apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the gas comprises an alcohol vapor.

27. An apparatus for distilling one or more substances, comprising: a vapor recovery section (38) having: a distillation head (44); an input feed line connecting a vapor source to the distillation head, the input feed line being arranged to deliver a vapor from the vapor source to the distillation head; and a condenser (46) connected to the distillation head arranged to receive the vapor therefrom, wherein the condenser is configured to distill the vapor into one or more substances.

28. The apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein the input feed line is removably connectable to the vapor source.

29. The apparatus as defined in claim 27 or 28, wherein the vapor source comprises means for producing a distillation vapor from a plant material.

30. A method to devolatize and/or decarboxylate a plant material, comprising the steps of:

(a) maintaining a first temperature within a first gasifier assembly;

(b) introducing the plant material to a feeder;

(c) conveying the plant material along a length of the feeder through the first gasifier assembly;

(d) introducing a carrier gas to the plant material at the first gasifier assembly, the carrier gas mixes with one or more substances contained in the plant materials to form a distillation vapor comprising the gas and the one or more substances;

(e) flowing the distillation vapor through a first vapor recovery section and thereby distilling the one or more substances from the distillation vapor; and

(f) conveying a processed plant material along the feeder downstream of the first gasifier assembly.

31 . The method according to claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

(g) conveying the processed plant material along the feeder downstream of the first gasifier assembly through one or more serially arranged gasifier assemblies, wherein each of the serially arranged gasifier assemblies are connected to a further vapor recovery section;

(h) introducing, at each of the gasifier assemblies, a further carrier gas to the processed plant material, the further carrier gas mixes with further one or more substances contained in the processed plant materials to form a further distillation vapor comprising the gas and the further one or more substances;

(e) flowing the further distillation vapor through a respective one of the further vapor recovery section and thereby distilling the further one or more substances from the further distillation vapor; and

(f) conveying a further processed plant material along the feeder downstream of the serially arranged gasifier assemblies towards the discharge zone.

32. The method as defined in claim 30 or 31 , wherein the distilling of the one or more substances comprises flowing the distillation vapor to a distillation head and a condenser.

33. The method as defined in claim 32, wherein the distilling of the further one or more substances comprises flowing the further distillation vapor to a respective one of the further distillation heads and further condensers.

34. The method as defined in claim 32 or 33 comprising maintaining a temperature within the distillation head that is lower than the respective one of the gasifier assemblies.

35. The method as defined in any one of claims 32 to 34 comprising maintaining a temperature within the condenser that is lower than the respective one of the distillation heads.

36. The method as defined in any one of claims 31 to 35, comprising maintaining a temperature at the first temperature that is higher than a temperature within the one or more serially arranged gasifier assemblies.

37. The method as defined in any one of claims 31 to 36, comprising maintaining different temperatures within the serially arranged gasifier assemblies.

38. The method as defined in any one of claims 31 to 37, further comprising reducing the pressure within the first gasifier assembly and/or the one or more serially arranged gasifier assemblies.

39. The method as defined in any one of claims 31 to 38, further comprising maintaining different pressures within the first gasifier assembly and the one or more serially arranged gasifier assemblies.

40. The method as defined in any one of claims 31 to 39, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the vapor recovery section that is lower than the temperature maintained within the respective one of the gasifier assemblies.

41 . The method as defined in any one of claims 30 to 40, further comprising the step of collecting the one or more substances in a collection flask.

42. The method as defined in any one of claims 31 to 41 , further comprising the step of discharging the processed plant material or the further processed plant material at an output end.

43. The method as defined in any one of claims 30 to 42, further comprising the step of pretreating the plant material prior to introducing the plant material to the feeder.

44. The method as defined in claim 43, wherein the pretreating of the plant material comprises treating the plant material by one or both of physically and chemically modifying the plant material.

45. The method as defined in any one of claims 30 to 44, further comprising the step of preconditioning the plant material prior to conveying the plant material through the first gasifier assembly.

46. The method as defined in claim 45, wherein the preconditioning of the plant material comprises conveying the plant material to a vapor chamber and exposing the plant material to a gas within the vapor chamber.

47. The method as defined in any one of claims 30 to 46 further comprising heating the carrier gas prior to introduction to the first gasifier assembly and/or the serially arranged gasifier assemblies.

48. The method as defined in any one of claims 30 to 47 further comprising maintaining the feeder at a temperature less than the temperatures maintained at the first gasifier and/or the serially arranged gasifier assemblies.

49. The method as defined in any one of claims 30 to 48 wherein the one or more substances comprise cannabinoid, and wherein 50 to 80% of cannabinoid is distilled at a rate between 10 to 35 Ibs/hr.

50. The method as defined in any one of claims 30 to 48, wherein the one or more substances comprise an aromatic compound.

51 . The method as defined in any one of claims 30 to 48 wherein the one or more compounds comprise one or more of THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBD, and the varietals, isomers, variants, and derivative products thereof.

52. A cannabinoid product produced by any one of the methods as defined in claims 30 to 51.

53. The cannabinoid product as defined in claim 52 comprising a total amount of CBD in the range of from about 80% to 95% by weight of the product and a total amount of THC in the range of from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the product.

54. The cannabinoid product as defined in claim 52 or 53 wherein over 90% of the THC in the product comprises the variant Delta-9 THC.

55. The cannabinoid product as defined in any one of claims 52 to 54 wherein less than about 5% of CBDa and/or CBDV are present in the product.

56. The cannabinoid product as defined in any one of claims 52 to 55 wherein less than about 3% of THCa, THCV and/or Delta-8 THC are present in the product.

57. The cannabinoid product as defined in any one of claims 52 to 56 wherein less than about 10% of CBN, CBGa, CBG and/or CBC are present in the product.

58. The cannabinoid product as defined in any one of claims 52 to 57 wherein the amount of Delta-9 THC and CBD present in the product increased by over about 90% compared to the amount present in the plant material.

59. The cannabinoid product as defined in any one of claims 52 to 58, wherein one or more of aldicarb, carbofuran, chlordane, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, daminozide, dichlorvos, dimethoate, ethoprophos, etofenprox, fenoyxcarb, fipronil, imazalil, methiocarb, parathion methyl, mevinphos, paclobutrazol, propoxur, spiroxamine, thiacloprid, abamectin, acephate, acequinocyl, acetamiprid, azoxystrobin, bifenazate, bifrenthrin, boscalid, captan, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, clofentezine, cyrfluthrin, cypermethrin, diazinon, dimethomorph, etoxazole, fenhexamid, fenproximate, flonicamid, flonicamid, fludioxonil, hexythiazox, imidacloprid, kresoxim methyl, malathion, metalaxyl, methomyl, mycobutanil, naled, oxamyl, pentachloronitrobenzene, permethrin, phosmet, piperonyl butoxide, prallethrin, propiconazole, pyrethrins, pyridaben, spinetoram, spinosad, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, tebuconazole, thiamethoxam, and trifloxystrobin are not present in the product.

60. A cannabinoid product comprising a total amount of CBD in the range of from about 80% to 95% by weight of the product and a total amount of THC in the range of from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the product.

61 . The cannabinoid product as defined in claim 60 wherein over 90% of the THC in the product comprises the variant Delta-9 THC.

62. The cannabinoid product as defined in claim 60 or 61 wherein less than about 5% of CBDa and/or CBDV are present in the product.

63. The cannabinoid product as defined in any one of claims 60 to 62 wherein less than about 3% of THCa, THCV and/or Delta-8 THC are present in the product.

64. The cannabinoid product as defined in any one of claims 60 to 63 wherein less than about 10% of CBN, CBGa, CBG and/or CBC are present in the product.

65. The cannabinoid product as defined in any one of claims 60 to 64 wherein the amount of Delta-9 THC and CBD present in the product increased by over about 90% compared to the amount present in the plant material.

66. The cannabinoid product as defined in any one of claims 60 to 65, wherein one or more of aldicarb, carbofuran, chlordane, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, daminozide, dichlorvos, dimethoate, ethoprophos, etofenprox, fenoyxcarb, fipronil, imazalil, methiocarb, parathion methyl, mevinphos, paclobutrazol, propoxur, spiroxamine, thiacloprid, abamectin, acephate, acequinocyl, acetamiprid, azoxystrobin, bifenazate, bifrenthrin, boscalid, captan, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, clofentezine, cyrfluthrin, cypermethrin, diazinon, dimethomorph, etoxazole, fenhexamid, fenproximate, flonicamid, flonicamid, fludioxonil, hexythiazox, imidacloprid, kresoxim methyl, malathion, metalaxyl, methomyl, mycobutanil, naled, oxamyl, pentachloronitrobenzene, permethrin, phosmet, piperonyl butoxide, prallethrin, propiconazole, pyrethrins, pyridaben, spinetoram, spinosad, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, tebuconazole, thiamethoxam, and trifloxystrobin are not present in the product.

67. A cannabinoid product as defined in any one of the claims 52 to 66 for use in the preparation of one or more of pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, foods and skincare preparations.