Extraction Methods

Compare Extraction Processes

Choose the right extraction method for your operation. Each process has unique advantages for different product types, throughput requirements, and regulatory environments.

Our engineering team can help you select and customize the optimal extraction system for your specific goals and facility requirements.

Select Methods to Compare

Choose 2 or 3 extraction methods to compare side by side

Hydrocarbon Extraction

Premium Concentrates

Ethanol Extraction

High Volume

CO2 Extraction

Clean Label Products
Hydrocarbon Extraction

High-efficiency extraction using butane, propane, or custom hydrocarbon blends for premium concentrates.

Best For

Live resin
Shatter
Wax
Terp sauce
Diamonds

Advantages

  • Excellent terpene preservation
  • High potency concentrates (70-90% THC)
  • Fast processing times
ThroughputPer-run batches, scalable by shift
Capital Cost$
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Ethanol Extraction

High-volume extraction using food-grade ethanol for distillate, edibles, and pharmaceutical applications.

Best For

Crude oil
Distillate
Edibles
Tinctures
RSO

Advantages

  • Highest throughput capacity
  • FDA GRAS solvent
  • Lower facility requirements
ThroughputShort centrifuge cycles, highest volume per shift
Capital Cost$$
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CO2 Extraction

Precision extraction using supercritical CO2 for clean, solvent-free products with tunable selectivity.

Best For

Full-spectrum oils
CBD products
Pharmaceutical
Food-grade extracts

Advantages

  • No residual solvents in final product
  • Tunable extraction parameters
  • Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
ThroughputLonger cycles, moderate volume per shift
Capital Cost$$
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Performance Radar
Detailed Metrics Comparison
Metric
Hydrocarbon
Ethanol
CO2
Performance
Throughput
3/5
5/5
2/5
Product Quality
5/5
3/5
4/5
Terpene Preservation
5/5
2/5
3/5
Efficiency
Processing Speed
4/5
5/5
2/5
Safety Profile
3/5
4/5
5/5
Operating Cost
4/5
3/5
4/5
Best For
Premium Concentrates
High Volume
Clean Label Products

Best for You

Answer two quick questions and we'll recommend the best extraction method for your operation

What's most important to you?

Product QualityHigh ThroughputLow Operating CostSafety & Compliance

What scale are you operating at?

Small< 100 lbs/dayMedium100-500 lbs/dayLarge500+ lbs/day

Process Workflows

Understand the step-by-step workflow for each extraction method

HydrocarbonEthanolCO2
1

Material Preparation

Freeze biomass to preserve terpenes, load into extraction columns

2

Extraction

Cold hydrocarbon solvent passes through material, extracting cannabinoids and terpenes

3

Collection

Extract solution collected in recovery vessel

4

Solvent Recovery

Hydrocarbon recovered and recycled for reuse

5

Post-Processing

Purging, winterization, or further refinement as needed

1

Chill Ethanol

Cool ethanol to -40°F or colder for optimal extraction

2

Extraction

Cold ethanol washes over biomass, extracting cannabinoids

3

Filtration

Remove plant material through multiple filtration stages

4

Solvent Recovery

Evaporate and recover ethanol using falling film evaporator

5

Distillation

Refine crude into distillate through wiped film distillation

1

Load Extraction Vessel

Pack ground biomass into extraction vessel

2

Pressurization

CO2 compressed to supercritical state (above 1071 psi, 88°F)

3

Extraction

Supercritical CO2 dissolves target compounds through material

4

Separation

Pressure reduced, CO2 releases extract into collection vessel

5

CO2 Recovery

Gaseous CO2 recycled back to storage tank for reuse

Detailed Comparison

In-depth analysis of each extraction method's pros and cons

Hydrocarbon Extraction

High-efficiency extraction using butane, propane, or custom hydrocarbon blends for premium concentrates.

Solvents:Butane, Propane, Blends
Operating Temp:-40°F to 100°F
Processing Time:2-4 hours per batch
Scalability:Medium to High

Advantages

  • Excellent terpene preservation
  • High potency concentrates (70-90% THC)
  • Fast processing times
  • Lower operating temperatures
  • Premium end products command higher prices

Considerations

  • Requires C1D1 compliant facility
  • Higher safety requirements
  • Solvent management needed
Explore Hydrocarbon Equipment

Ethanol Extraction

High-volume extraction using food-grade ethanol for distillate, edibles, and pharmaceutical applications.

Solvents:Food-grade Ethanol
Operating Temp:-40°F to 160°F
Processing Time:1-2 hours per batch
Scalability:Very High

Advantages

  • Highest throughput capacity
  • FDA GRAS solvent
  • Lower facility requirements
  • Excellent for large-scale operations
  • Versatile end product options

Considerations

  • Less terpene preservation
  • Requires post-processing for higher purity
  • Ethanol recovery energy costs
Explore Ethanol Equipment

CO2 Extraction

Precision extraction using supercritical CO2 for clean, solvent-free products with tunable selectivity.

Solvents:Supercritical CO2, Subcritical CO2
Operating Temp:31°F to 140°F
Processing Time:4-8 hours per batch
Scalability:Medium

Advantages

  • No residual solvents in final product
  • Tunable extraction parameters
  • Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
  • Clean label for consumer products
  • Selective extraction capabilities

Considerations

  • Higher capital investment
  • Longer processing times
  • Lower throughput per system
Explore CO2 Equipment

Need Help Choosing?

Our engineering team can analyze your production goals, facility constraints, and target products to recommend the optimal extraction solution for your operation.

Extraction Method Questions

Choosing the Right Extraction Process

Common questions about hydrocarbon, ethanol, and CO2 extraction — answered.

What is the difference between hydrocarbon and ethanol extraction?

Hydrocarbon extraction uses butane, propane, or custom blends to produce premium concentrates—live resin, shatter, wax, and terp sauce—with excellent terpene preservation and high-potency results. It requires a C1D1-compliant facility. Ethanol extraction uses food-grade ethanol for high-volume production of crude oil, distillate, and edibles. Ethanol offers the highest throughput capacity with shorter cycle times (1–2 hours per batch) and lower facility requirements, making it the preferred choice for large-scale operations.

Which extraction method produces the best terpene preservation?

Hydrocarbon extraction delivers the best terpene preservation. Operating at lower temperatures (down to -40°F), hydrocarbon solvents selectively capture volatile terpene compounds, making this method the industry standard for live resin, terp sauce, and premium concentrate products that command higher prices.

Which extraction method has the highest throughput?

Ethanol extraction offers the highest throughput capacity. With short centrifuge cycle times of 1–2 hours per batch and very high scalability, ethanol systems process more biomass per shift than hydrocarbon or CO2 methods. This makes ethanol the preferred choice for large-scale producers focused on distillate, edibles, and high-volume crude oil production.

What is CO2 extraction best used for?

CO2 extraction is best suited for clean-label products, full-spectrum oils, CBD products, pharmaceutical applications, and food-grade extracts. Using supercritical or subcritical CO2, this method leaves no residual solvents in the final product. CO2 is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA, making it the preferred choice for pharmaceutical and premium consumer markets that require solvent-free labeling.
Decimal Engineered Systems
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