About Distillation System

What is the purpose of this equipment?
Extraction can only go so far in purifying of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. So a different technique is needed for increasing purity. A thermal separation technique works well at this point because cannabinoids have a different boiling point range than other materials in the extraction mixture. Molecular (short-path) distillation is the best thermal separation method for this heat-sensitive material because it is the gentlest type, causing the least amount of thermal degradation of product.
Is molecular distillation similar to extraction?
No, they are quite different operations. With extraction, solids, (or sometimes liquids) are brought into contact with a solvent. In cannabinoid work, the solvent is typically ethanol, or butane/propane, or supercritical pressurized CO2, or others. Certain compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes, chlorophyll are dissolved into the solvent, after which the solvent is evaporated away. The separation is accomplished via an affinity of the target compounds to be transferred by dissolution into the solvent. With distillation, the separation is carried out not by solvent affinity, but by differences in the volatility (boiling points), between the various compounds. More volatile materials are more easily distilled and condensed as distillate while the heavier materials remain as liquid collected as residue. Distillation is performed after extraction to further concentrate and purify the desired compounds.
What level of purity is expected with the LABOAO stills?
It depends on the quality and composition of the feed material, factors going back to the original plant strains plus all subsequent handling and processing prior to distillation. Often, extracted material prior to distillation is in a range of 55-70% cannabinoid, and it is typical to distill this up to a range from 85-90+%, with up to 96% being reported. In addition to increased percentage purity, the product is significantly lighter yellow in color, with high clarity.
Does molecular distillation require addition of solvents?
No, additional solvents or other compounds do not need to be added to the feed material. This question often arises because potential users know that concentrate from extraction can be quite thick and viscous. But rather than using “thinning agents” such as solvents, the high viscosity or melting point of cannabinoids is handled by keeping materials warm enough to flow throughout the entire set of distillation components. Equipment needed for these heating functions is provided in the Pope still systems configured for cannabinoid applications – there is nothing else needed to buy.
How is the distillation carried out?
There are normally two (or more) passes made through the Pope still. The first is to remove whatever amount of remaining air, gas, water, solvents and lighter end terpenes remain in the extract. The second, carried out at greater vacuum and temperature, is normally for distillation of the cannabinoids away from the heavier residue including chlorophyll, heavier waxes, sugars, salts, pesticides, dark colored components and other undesired matter. Without the first devolatilization pass, the cannabinoid distillation will be slower and not be as successful because the vacuum obtained will be weaker and microflashing of gasses and volatiles will physically carry some undesired compounds and colors over to your cannabis distillate, thc distillate or cbd distillate product.
What is the difference between wiped film molecular still (WFMS) and a short-path still or a fractional still?

There seems to be a lot of confusion and misuse of terminology in this type of equipment. So, below are some points to keep in mind:

A. Molecular distillation is the same thing as short-path distillation. These both imply use of high vacuum and a condensing surface in close proximity to a heated evaporation surface. For many applications such as cannabinoids and other compounds with even greater molecular weight and boiling points, if this distance is not close, the equipment will not work well, if at all.

B. Some people associate the term “short-path” only with a basic glassware setup involving a basic boiling flask with a neck leading to a condenser and a receiver flask(s), or else a similar variation called a KIugelrohr. These are also referred to as pot stills, (in the vessel, not marijuana sense), and are all considered batch mode apparatus. But these are only one type (and the simplest) of short-path or molecular still – there are other forms, including Pope’s continuous mode WFMS.

C. Molecular stills are not fractional stills. Fractional still equipment implies utilization of a vertical packed column providing multiple equilibrium stages or “theoretical plates”, requiring the condenser to be further away from the boiling flask and reached only after the sometimes quite long obstacle of the packed column, a problem for heat sensitive materials such as cannabinoids. The single theoretical plate of molecular stills is sufficient for most cannabinoid work and offers the least product degradation.

What is the difference between hemp and marijuana and how does this affect distillation results?
Both hemp and marijuana are varieties of Cannabis Sativa [Genus: Cannabis/Species: Sativa]. The big difference is that hemp contains greater amounts of CBD and lesser amounts of THC than typical marijuana, with the best selected strains being developed that contain very low to undetectable percentages of THC. This is very important because when distilling CBD for greater concentration, whatever THC is present will co-distill and become greater in percentage in the distillate as well. Thus plant material with < 0.3% THC can become concentrated to even >10% in some cases.

About Us

Are you Manufacturer?
Yes, we are a manufacturer with 12 years of R & D and design capabilities. Product quality is our first priority. We have been researching in the field of cannabis distillation systems for 6 years.
Your quality is reliable?

Yes, of course. Three points:

1. We have over 10 years export experience, reliable quality gets more regular customers and good feedback.

2. Every product needs to be tested and inspected strictly, then allowed to deliver.

3. We have ISO, CE certificate.

How long to deliver after pay?
Normally needs 7-10working days. If quantity is large or need to customize, please confirm with us before order.
How to transport?

By Sea: Suitable for large volume. Cheap and safe, but slow.

By Air: Suitable for urgent order. More safe and fast.

What kind of Payment term do you accept?
Telegraphic Transfer(T/T); Letter of Credit(L/C); Western Union;
Who pays import fees and tariffs?

Import fees and tariffs are entirely the customer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what the additional costs will be prior to purchasing our products. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.