MkIII Terpenator: DIY assisted extraction unit

Hey everyone, I have another schematic I wanted to share with you guys from SkunkPharmResearch. This is going to be a bit long, but I will copy and paste everything in case their site ever goes down.. They also have schematics for smaller passive extraction units if that is more suitable for you.. They have also sold their design to a machining company who will now sell you kits that you can put together.

"Those of ya’ll who have been following our progress with the Mk I and II Terpenators, as well as the Lil Terp passive extractor and Enabler compound fractioning still, will be interested in our new Mk III Terpenator, based on the Lil Terp chassis.

This is just one more configuration possible with the Lil Terp tanks, simply by changing out the modified lids and bolting on readily available parts.

You will note that the collection tank is a simple 6″ X 6″ sanitary spool, with a standard end plate and clamp for both top and bottom. We laser cut and machined new bottoms for the first Lil Terp series, but that is not necessary starting with a 6″ spool. The top plate is the only piece in the whole assembly, that is not standard off the shelf at either Glacier Tank, or at Paramount Supply.

This picture is a mockup of both Lil Terp and Mk III Terpenator parts, but I will post the final assembly with the correct parts, when they arrive back from the machine shop and welder.

The column shown holds about two ounces, but the system will accept longer columns. Cycle time is unknown until we run trials with our prototype, but with the same sized pumps and smaller volumes, we are expecting it to be faster than the Mk I, which processes about half a pound per cycle.




Here is the lid maching detail. I’m also replacing the long Tee for butane injection, with a more petite one made from a short reducing spool and a 1/4″ 304SS nipple. I’ll post pictures when I get the pieces back from the machine shop:



Here is a preview treat of the Mk IV layout mockup, which also has parts out for machining”




Hee, hee, hee, the Mk III parts are back from the machine shop and ready to be welded.








Lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 It lives! The Mark III lives!
Hee, hee, hee, here is the purdy lady and her butane storage tank complete and ready for testing!








Lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu lu, whoop, whoop, ahwhoooooooooooooooo!! Hee, hee, hee, snicker snark snort………………

The Mk III worked ran like a Formula I on the Appion twin, and actually beats the throughput of the Mk IA, albeit with a column change in the middle.

Not counting the first cleaner load running leaf, I ran five column loads, of three different strains and material grades, and they weighed from 135 to 200 grams, all packed in the same 1.5 X 24″ column.

The thing that is mind boggling after running the Mk IA, which will process about 470 grams per hour of prime bud, is that although the Mk III has a column capacity 33% less than MklIA, it processes it through the same number of cycles in 12 minutes. It therefore can run four cycles per hour, vis a vis the Mk IA’s about 25 minutes per cycle, or two cycles per hour.

That is not counting the 5 minutes hard soak at the end of a series of runs of the same strain, which both the Mk IA and III add on to a series, but not to each cycle.

The Mk IA processes about 470 grams in two 235 gram cycles, in the same amount of time that the Mk III processes about 600 grams in 4 cycles.

The Mk III is actually so fast using the Appion, that the pressure gauge on the first reclaim cycle, looks like the minute hand on the clock as it falls.

The second flood and recover cycle is not quite so fast, as more butane made it through the second cycle, and the third is of course the long one, because it is evaporating butane out of the now open column as well.

As I don’t have column heat on the Mk III test sled, the columns iced up on the last cycle, which was slooooow compared to the first two, so I will add column heat.

That was the only time available to stuff the next column, because the other cycles are happening too fast to not pay close attention.

Peak operating pressure in the Mk III ran about ten psi higher than the Mk IA, at 45/50 psi, compared to the Mk IA’s 35/45 psi. All well within the component pressure ratings.

The only thing that didn’t go very well, was my picture taking, with most of the equipment in mixed shadows under a tree, but got one that demonstrates the point. Alas no good oil shots, as the light wasn’t suitable for in the pot and we washed it out with ethanol for winterizing.




Here is the parts list and costs. I will try to get a more finite breakdown on labor, with the next build. The total included building a storage tank as well and extra set up time for a single run, so ostensibly future labor will be less.


NO ITEM PN REQ PRICE COST Source
1 1/4″ 316SS tubing/.035 wall $0.97/ft $3.88 Paramount Supply
2 1/4 NPT to 1/4″ Compression 304 SS 4CM4316 2 $6.8 $13.60 Paramount Supply
3 NPT 1/4″ female X 1 1/2″ triclamp end cap 304 1 $10.95 $10.95 Glacier Tank
4 1 1/2″ Sanitary triclamp 4 $5.90 $23.60 Glacier Tank
5 1 1/2″ X 24″ Sanitary spool piece 1 $45 $45 Glacier Tank
6 1 1/2″ Teflon sanitary seals 2 $1.20 $2.40 Glacier Tank
7 1 /12″ Buna N sanitary seals with screens N/A 2 $15.90 $31.80 Brewery Gaskets
8 6″ Buna N sanitary seal W181663 1 $14.92 $14.92 Sustainable Supply
9 1 1/2 X 1″ Sanitary concentric reducer 1 $12 $12 Glacier Tank
9.1 1 1/2″ sanitary X 3/4 ball valve 1 $25 $25 Glacier Tank
9.2 1/4″ X 4″ 304 SS Schedule 40 nipple 1/2 used 1 $1.41 $0.71 Paramount Supply
9.3 Modify by machining 1 * * Moody Machining
9.4 Weld 1 * * Gibson Welding
10 1/4″ Ball valve 3 $11.17 $33.51 Paramount Supply
11 1/4″ MPT X 1/4″ Male flare brass 3 $8.29/5 $4.98 Paramount Supply
13 1 1/2 X 12″ (1/2 of) sanitary spool 1 $35 *$17.50 Glacier Tank
14 6″ Sanitary end cap Cap-600 1 $35 $35 Glacier Tank
14.1 Modify lid by machining 1 lot * * Moody Machining
14.4 Weld 1 lot * * Gibson Welding
15 6″ Sanitary tri clamp 1 $25.27 $25.27 Glacier Tank
16 3/8″ 304SS half coupling 1 $1.20 $1.20 Paramount Supply
17 3/8″ X close 304SS nipple 3 $1.11 $3.33 Paramount Supply
18 3/8″ 304SS cross 1 $6 $6 Paramount Supply
19 3/8″ X 1/4″ 304SS bushing 2 $0.94 $1.88 Paramount Supply
20 1/4″ X close 304 SS nipple 4 $0.92 $3.68 Paramount Supply
21 3/8″ 304SS ball valve 1 $12.05 $12.05 Paramount Supply
22 3/8 MPT X 3/8″ male flare brass 1 $0.76 $0.76 Paramount Supply
23 1/4″ X 7″ 304SS nipple/Threaded one end 1 $4.32 $4.32 Paramount Supply
24 6″ X 6″ sanitary spool from 6″ X 12 spool 1 $105 *$52.50 Glacier Tank
25 Tank bottom laser cut to size 1 $32 $32 BBC Steel
26 Tank bottom machining 1 * * Moody Machining
27 Weld tank bottom inside and out 1 lot * * Gibson Welding
29 Total materials $492.88 Materials only
30 Actual machining and welding labor $180 Labor only
31 Total cost to build $672.88
* Breakdown not available. Use actual lot costs for total

Progress has been made! I set up an aerospace quality manufacturing network to build Mk IIIA kits, and we licensed manufacture and distribution to Specialized Formulations, who now has a sample lot of five Mk IIIA lid and injection tee kits being machined and welded, to the latest design.

The Mk IIIA design differs from the original Mk III, from the standpoint that the 3/8″ half coupling was replaced with a 3/8″ nipple and the cross assembly welded in place to clock it properly and eliminate two threaded joints.

The Mk IIIA design also incorporates a 6″ X 6″ sanitary spool for the lower tank, as opposed to splitting a 6″ X 12″ sanitary spool and welding on a new bottom. The new arrangement uses a tri-clamped end cap for a bottom, which costs less overall and allows easier cleaning.

The Mk IIIA can use either passive heat and cold techniques for recovery, or a refrigeration pump to reduce cycle time to less than 15 minutes, as with the Mk III.






1.0 Glacier Tank
1.1 NPT 1/4″ female X 1 1/2″ end cap 304SS 22MP-6025 1 $10.95 $10.95 Glacier Tank
1.2 1 1/2″ Sanitary triclamp MHM-150 4 $5.90 $23.60 Glacier Tank
1.3 1 1/2″ X 24″ Sanitary spool piece SP-150-024 1 $45 $45 Glacier Tank
1.4 1 1/2″ Teflon sanitary seals 40MPG-150 2 $1.20 $2.40 Glacier Tank
1.5 1 1/2 X 1″ Sanitary concentric reducer B3114MP-C150-100 1 $12 $12 Glacier Tank
1.6 1 1/2″ sanitary X 3/4 ball valve Ball-075 1 $25 $25 Glacier Tank
1.7 1 1/2 X 12″ (1/2 of) sanitary spool SP-150-012 1 $35 *$17.50 Glacier Tank
1.8 6″ Sanitary tri clamp 13MHM-600 2 $29 $58 Glacier Tank
1.10 6″ X 6″ sanitary spool SP-600-006 1 $97 $97 Glacier Tank
1.10.1 Or 6″ X 12″ sanitary spool (cut into two 6″ SP-600-012 1 $120 *$60 Glacier Tank
1.11 6″ Sanitary end cap 16AMP-G600 2 $42 $84 Glacier Tank
1.12 $375.45
$338.45
1.0 Special Seals
1.1 1 /12″ Buna N sanitary seals with screens N/A 2 $15.90 $31.80 Brewery Gaskets
1.2 6″ Buna N sanitary seal W181663 1 $14.92 $14.92 Sustainable Supply
1.3 Total $46.72
1.0 Tank Bottom blanks
1.1 Tank bottom laser cut to size 1 $33.50 $33.50 BBC Steel
1.2 Total $33.50
NO ITEM PN REQ PRICE COST Source
1.0 Paramount Supply
1.1 1/4″ 316SS tubing/.035 wall 3405630 4′ $1.07/ft $4.29 Paramount Supply
1.2 1/4 NPT to 1/4″ Compression 304 SS 4304913 2 $7.56 $15.12 Paramount Supply
1.3 1/4″ X 4″ 304 SS Sch 40 nipple/ 1/2 used 3406164 1 $1.57 $1.57 Paramount Supply
1.4 1/4″ Ball valve 3492303 3 $12.41 $37.23 Paramount Supply
1.5 1/4″ MPT X 1/4″ Male flare brass 1719939 3 ~$3 $9 Paramount Supply
1.6 3/8″ X 3″ 304SS nipple cut in half 1 ~$2 $2 Paramount Supply
1.7 3/8″ X close 304SS nipple 3406253 1 $1.37 $1.37 Paramount Supply
1.8 3/8″ 304SS cross 3449726 1 $7.41 $7.41 Paramount Supply
1.9 3/8″ X 1/4″ 304SS bushing 3408515 2 $1.16 $2.32 Paramount Supply
1.10 1/4″ X close 304 SS nipple 3406105 1 $1.14 $1.14 Paramount Supply
1.11 3/8″ 304SS ball valve 3492311 1 $14.88 $14.88 Paramount Supply
1.12 3/8 MPT X 3/8″ male flare brass 1719980 1 $0.93 $0.93 Paramount Supply
1.13 1/4″ X 6″ 304SS nipple/Threaded one end Special 1 $5.33 $5.33 Paramount Supply
1.14 Total $102.59
NO ITEM COST
1 Glacier Tank $375.45
2 Gaskets $46.72
3 Paramount Supply $102.59
4 Total parts $524.76
1-22-12
Terpenator Operating Instructions
The Terpenator series are operated as follows:
1.0 Open all valves, except for valve #4, the butane supply valve.
2.0 Turn on high vacuum pump and pump system down to -29.5″Hg.
3.0 Close valves #1 and #3.
4.0 Turn off high vacuum pump and turn on the recovery pump. Open valve #5.
5.0 Place one hand on the vent line exiting the top of the column and turn on valve #4.
6.0 When you feel the sudden chill of liquid butane reaching the vent tube, close valve #2, and then valve #4. Record the number of seconds required to flood the column with the existing packing density.
7.0 Continue to pump with the recovery pump, until the internal pressure is reduced to -10″Hg.
8.0 Open valve # 2 and valve # 4 for the same number of seconds that it took to flood the column the first time.
9.0 Close valve #2 and then #4 and continue to pump, until the system pressure is again reduced to -10″Hg.
10.0 Repeat steps #8 and #9 for as many cycles as you choose to run. Typically three cycles for the Mk IA and II, and five cycles for the faster Mk III and IIIA.
11.0 At the end of the last cycle, when the gauge hits -10″Hg, open valve #2 and then valve #3 to dump column.
12.0 Continue to pump until the system reaches -22″Hg, at which point close valve #5 and turn off the recovery pump.
13.0 Open valve #1, and turn on the high vacuum pump.
14.0 Pump the system down to -29.5″Hg and close valve #1.
15.0 Shut off the recovery pump and allow the system to sit under hard vacuum for 5 minutes to purge.
16.0 Remove product from lower collection tank.




Heads up! Beta testing revealed one leaky lower dump valve thus far, and as there is no packing adjustment on the valve, we have replaced it with a three piece, adjustable and rebuildable 1″ ball valve, that sells for $69. The part number is BV2CV-100.

We bought the last ones Glacier Tank has in stock and new ones are out 8 weeks, so as an alternate, will use a Dixon three piece triclamp ball valve at $115 in the interiem. It is available from Paramount Supply as PN 115-BV 2 -GG-150-CC-A.

For those of ya’ll relying on the Mk II parts list for hoses, we have also replaced the 3/8″ recovery hose with one from RSD refrigeration supply. The hoses listed has undersized ports and substaintially increases recovery time.
"

Quote: Originally posted by CaliusOptimus

Does the recovery pump use oil? My only concern with this setup would be oil contamination, but I've never owned one of those so I don't know how they are designed.

Quote: Originally posted by CaliusOptimus

I've pondered similar designs, though I would have gone with a system that operates in the same soxhlet-like fashion, but using a refrigerated condenser and storage tank instead of a recovery pump. That way the system would be at atmospheric pressure until the run is over, the solvent is stored, and refrigeration is stopped. Does this setup allow for an adjustable extraction temperate?

Quote: Originally posted by hissingnoise

Very nice setup ─ for anyone with a lot of spare bud . . .