Cannabis Manufacturing

The cannabis manufacturing sector is both fast-growing and nascent due to the recent removal of regulations restricting commercial production — many new manufacturers are entering the space while established companies look to acquire and expand upon existing operations. This industry produces a variety of products and intermediates including: distillates of various cannabinoids for further processing into consumer goods, hemp products, and cannabis buds (dried cannabis flower).

Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds obtained via distillation that are found within the cannabis plant and can further processed to create the majority of the products that the cannabis industry is known for. These products include, but are not limited to:

• Vape Cartridges
• Edibles (Gummies, Baked Goods, etc.)
• Tinctures
• Topicals (Creams, Lotions, etc.)
• Beverages
• Concentrates (Waxes, Resins, etc.)

The primary cannabinoids targeted by distillation are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol); THC is used for its psychoactive effects in products such as vape cartridges and edibles, while CBD has therapeutic benefits without psychoactive effects, making it ideal for products such as topicals as well as
delivery via capsules.

Sanitary heat exchangers and other hygienic processing equipment are used throughout the manufacturing process to facilitate the various operations that result in the desired distillate intermediate. The following is a brief overview of the steps in the distillate production process as well as where sanitary heat exchangers come in to play within them:

1. Solvent Extraction of Raw Cannabis
Solvents such as butane-based varieties are washed over the biomass to extract components containing cannabinoids, after which the desired components are separated out and the solvent is recovered for re-use. Within this process alone there are many uses for heat exchangers; the solvent must be heated to and maintained at the optimal temperature before extraction, and vaporized solvent must be condensed and subsequently cooled for re-use.

2. Winterization
The crude oil mixture from the previous step needs to be mixed with ethanol and cooled for unwanted components to coagulate and be removed. Heat exchangers are used to cool the mixture using a refrigerant, ensuring consistent and controlled cooling for efficient winterization.

3. Decarboxylation
The cannabinoids are converted into their active forms via a chemical reaction upon heating that releases CO₂ as well as residual solvent and volatile compounds (e.g. terpenes). Heat exchangers are used to heat the extract to a specific temperature while maintaining precise temperature control for a prolonged period of time while preventing overheating or insufficient activation.

4. Distillation
As in other distillation processes, heat exchangers are used to cool and condense the distillate, as well as to maintain the temperature of incoming extract and reboil the liquid within the column. In the cannabis industry, the head (first fraction) is collected before the main (middle fraction) containing the cannabinoids is obtained. The desired cannabinoid (THC vs CBD, etc.) can then be obtained via further distillation or hromatography. Bonded plate heat exchangers such as the Alfa Laval AlfaNova are suitable for condensing applications due to their gasket-free design that can withstand high pressures and temperatures with low risk of leaking.

Once the desired distillate is obtained, it can be used as an ingredient in hygienic manufacturing procedures for any of the end products listed above. Sanitary processing equipment is used throughout to ensure hygienic standards for human consumption; in addition to sanitary heat exchangers, sanitary pumps and valves constructed from high-grade stainless steel are also used in the cannabis industry to prevent contamination and produce products safe for consumption.