CO2 Extraction and Flash Chromatography Systems…
Ousia Labs’ patented lab-grade CO₂ extraction and flash chromatography systems bring precision, tunability, and flexibility to large-scale essential oil and oleoresin processors. By mirroring industrial operating principles at a smaller scale, these systems empower commercial operators to improve quality, efficiency, and innovation across the production lifecycle.
Ousia Labs’ system re-circulates liquid CO₂ near the critical point (subcritical phase), where it has high density and low viscosity for efficient extraction. Operating at low temperature and moderate pressure preserves delicate compounds while allowing tunable selectivity for terpenes and resins. Continuous closed-loop recirculation improves yield, purity, and solvent efficiency with minimal energy use.
Ousia Labs’ patented extraction systems are engineered to continuously re-circulate liquid CO₂ through the extraction vessel in a closed-loop configuration. By maintaining precise control of temperature and pressure near the critical point—just below 1,071 psi and 88 °F—the CO₂ remains in a dense liquid (subcritical) phase rather than fully supercritical.
In this region, the solvent behaves like a hybrid between a gas and a liquid:
It has high density, giving it strong solvating power for essential oils, oleoresins, and other lipophilic compounds.
It retains low viscosity and surface tension, allowing it to penetrate plant material efficiently.
The subcritical conditions preserve CO₂ in a liquid-like state, which is easily condensed and re-used—forming a re-circulating solvent system that minimizes losses and energy demand.
The Ousia design maintains these conditions automatically through pressure regulation, thermal stabilization, and continuous CO₂ recovery, enabling repeatable operation with very small solvent volumes and rapid solvent turnover.
Prep Your Biomaterial for Optimal Extraction:
CO2 chromatography offers a dual advantage, utilizing a liquid to dissolve the medium matrix and an inert gas to propel materials through filters and media. Typically, the eluent strength is enhanced by incorporating a polar co-solvent, such as methanol, often with a low concentration (~1%) of a weak acid or base. While the solvent strength of CO2 can be heightened by increasing density or introducing a polar co-solvent, it’s crucial to note that this may result in the co-solvent dominating as the mobile phase. Common co-solvents include simple alcohols like methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol. For food-grade materials, it is advisable to opt for ethanol or ethyl acetate as co-solvents, both recognized as generally safe for food production.
Lower pressures equal lower cost. CO2 extraction technology, a longstanding method, has garnered significant interest from major pharmaceutical and chemical enterprises. These entities have heavily invested in this technology to acquire novel compounds, often necessitating higher pressures to rupture resilient cell structures. As pressure levels escalate, so does the demand for sturdier and pricier equipment, distancing unit economics from consumer affordability. Consequently, many compounds end up being artificially synthesized to maintain cost-effectiveness for the end-user. However, when assessing the vast array of botanical compounds, it becomes evident that only a minority require such rigorous conditions, namely high pressures, for extraction and isolation. Numerous botanical compounds, particularly aromatic ones, lend themselves to extraction and isolation at lower pressures. This approach not only reduces the need for expensive machine components but also lowers unit costs while yielding a pure, natural extract.
1. Safety – CO2 Extraction is one of the safest method of extracting botanical oils from biomass. Furthermore, there are ZERO residual and potentially harmful solvents that end up in the product. Our machines are equipped with a blow off valve set below the lowest pressure rated fitting and if under the worst case scenario all the CO2 gets let out of the system there is only 867PPM per run which is well below the OSHAA short exposure 30,000PPM limit. Additionally, you would have to run the machine 5x times consecutively with no ventilation to pass the 8hrPPM limit.
2. Quality – Enhance quality assurance for producers and processors with our CO2 systems, allowing them to stay ahead in production planning without significant resource commitments. Our machines are equipped with top-notch components, ensuring materials come into contact with high-quality, food-grade 316 stainless steel for optimal performance and safety.
3. Efficiency – Our CO2 machines are designed for robustness, featuring minimal moving components to ensure longevity and deliver consistent results repeatedly. Utilize these machines to fine-tune your operational efficiencies before scaling up to mass production, ultimately saving valuable time and resources in the long run.
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