Filtering closed columns

I've been looking into new filtering options for closed column.

45 micron tri clamp gaskets are $70 each and are only one layer of filtration.

Coffee filters release pressure and leak oil.

Cut micron screens layered at the end of the column still allows lipids through.

Any advice on how to sufficiently filter from a closed column?
I can't think that everyone with closed column winterizes every run?

Cold dewaxing column and cold tane.

Cut down your unbleached filter so it fits on top of the 25u screen, just lay it there. This is only for particulate not lipids / waxes.

Take a look at the sock filters they use for biodiesel.

Thank's snaps, I do the deep freeze and keep the particles out already... So It sounds like y'all do winterize every batch in closed column?

That was an interesting idea fade.... Like as a post filter as it exits the column maybe...

How quickly does liquid butane pass through un-pressurized filters like the sock or coffee filter? I wonder if it would pool up quickly and get crazy..

i also have a CC unit and was concerned with this as well.

Do you have a dewaxing tube blujay?

No, single pass SS tubes. Its quite an intresting problem. I would not have guessed it untill i got into it.

Ive only seen one dewaxer that I understood. It has an outside chanber surrounding the tube that could be filled wiith luqid nitrogen to keep the inner tube below 0.

and that scale is too large for my purposes.

fill dewaxing column sleeve with dry ice / denatured alcohol bath.

SnapsProvolone said:

fill dewaxing column sleeve with dry ice / denatured alcohol bath.

Click to expand...

He doesn't have one, I'm in the smae boat

Then freeze the packed columns and butane down as cold as you can and pull them out right when you will extract. If multiple columns, only pull one column and solvent for that one tube.

Used chest deep freezers are usually cheap on cl because folks often sell them cheap when moving.

create a sleeve? I bet a wooden column of 2x4s wrapped with some black trash bags could be made to fit around the tube..

probably easier ways out there..

Guzias1 said:

create a sleeve? I bet a wooden column of 2x4s wrapped with some black trash bags could be made to fit around the tube..

probably easier ways out there..

Click to expand...

Perhaps, however just use dry ice and no denatured alcohol that could leak down into the collection vessel.

incorporate an outer layer of insulation perhaps....

Seems to me that with the parts you have, you may be able to grab a dewaxing column from terpp extractors and use your ends?

http://terppextractors.com

Terpps dewaxing tubes should fit just fine assuming your tube is 1.5" triclamp. Mine came with a 3" to 1.5" adapter and works well.
Whatman filters work pretty well for me in conjunction with a 150 mesh screen viton gasket. I throw in some coffee filters a bit too which could be redundant. Have a custom 3"x3" spool for filters being made atm which im pretty stoked about along with my lco2 sleeve and sleeved collection bowl.

Wow lots of good talk, where to start...

Even with the deep freeze and quick draw I haven't been able to come out with "clear" shatter or super white/gold crumble like with a open column and several filters.

@SnapsProvolone That column would fit.. However that brings the extract cost up even more having to fill with dry ice every run. Might as well winterize for the same if not lower price?

@disposition84 Are you stuffing the coffee/Whitman filters inside the column? How do they feel afterwards, have you noticed any reduced yield?

Man the more equipment you get the more you need.... Running in this system costs allot more than open column almost not practical for smaller applications.

Why not blast first, and if you need filtration just do it after in a fried disc funnel? They come in several different microns. You don't need solvent to clean, just scrape w a dabbler any debris that gets stuck on the porous stone. Here's where the ethanol gets added along w activated charcoal, and for Petes sake, do it hot so the charcoal can have a chance to absorb any impurities and have a chance to decolorize the solution. A <2 micron filter is the size needed to get the fine particulates out of the solution. It must be done under vacuum and it may get clean clogged easy so it's not a rough filtration option.

If i'm going to spend money and time on ethanol I would just winterize it.

I was just not aware that CC almost always (at this time) require winterization.

I was expecting similar-better results on CC over the OC but did not figure in the benefits the OC has keeping out lipids with the coffee filter.

I wanted to find new ways to KEEP the lipids out of the extract, not remove them later.

BluJayz said:

If i'm going to spend money and time on ethanol I would just winterize it.

I was just not aware that CC almost always (at this time) require winterization.

I was expecting similar-better results on CC over the OC but did not figure in the benefits the OC has keeping out lipids with the coffee filter.

I wanted to find new ways to KEEP the lipids out of the extract, not remove them later.

Click to expand...

the coffee filter doesnt filter our lipids, only solid particulate.

(source: Snaps) lol

what i think makes the CC blasting extract more liquids is the prolonged soak...but what do you guys think?

i let my 3 ouncer tube soak for a couple hours before blasting, increases yeilds but definitly adds more lipids an ect.

didnt really think about it until after

i think im just gonna have to man up and get a de waxing column

A 15 min soak yield the same results as leaving the bottom valve open and straight blasting for me.

I don't see dry ice getting me much colder than a freezer to 30F environment. Unless I have enough to pack the tube prior and bring and maintain -100F temp. Its like $9 a block here... $$$$$

BluJayz said:

A 15 min soak yield the same results as leaving the bottom valve open and straight blasting for me.

I don't see dry ice getting me much colder than a freezer to 30F environment. Unless I have enough to pack the tube prior and bring and maintain -100F temp. Its like $9 a block here... $$$$$

Click to expand...

Yeah I think we're stuck with winterizing. Unfortunately it's impossible to get ethanol here and I hate the harshness ISO leaves.

Really getting frustrated with this.

I tried packing the tube and the cans in dry ice/ice mix for 4-5 days. Ran it and still not getting clarity. Even with no soak time and straight run.