Abstract: A method of operating an apparatus for the comminution of a botanical feedstock wherein a blade that is positioned above a screen and the blade is rotated at a rate of rotation, wherein the trailing portion of the blade generates turbulence that induces upward movement of cut and partially cut feedstock from the upper surface of the screen to a plane of rotation of the cutting edge of the blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for the extraction of compounds from botanical material using a condensable gas solvent includes sequential extraction and separation stages.

Abstract: A method for extracting compounds from botanical material using a condensable gas solvent comprising passing the condensable gas solvent containing the at least one compound extracted from a feedstock through a sonic flow nozzle and introducing the solvent exiting the sonic flow nozzle at a supersonic velocity into a cyclone separator.

Abstract: A method of operating an apparatus for the comminution of a botanical feedstock wherein a blade that is positioned above a screen and the blade is rotated at a rate of rotation, wherein the trailing portion of the blade generates turbulence that induces upward movement of cut and partially cut feedstock from the upper surface of the screen to a plane of rotation of the cutting edge of the blade.

Abstract: A method for treating cannabis comprises treating a feedstock of cannabis and obtaining treated feedstock comprising comminuted cannabis; pneumatically conveying the treated feedstock to a cyclonic separator; and, subjecting the treated feedstock to a first cyclonic separation stage and obtaining a first stream of treated feedstock separated out of a fluid stream by the first cyclonic separation stage and a first fluid stream having a reduced level of treated feedstock.

Abstract: An apparatus for the comminution of a botanical feedstock includes a vessel, a screen positioned in the vessel above a first feedstock outlet and spaced from the top of the vessel, and a blade rotatably mounted above and generally parallel to the screen. The blade has a leading side, a trailing side, and a radial blade length. At least a portion of the leading side has a cutting edge and at least a portion of the trailing side has a downwardly extending trailing portion. The downwardly extending trailing portion has a lower edge having a plurality of discontinuities along a radial length of the trailing portion. The cutting edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a first distance and a lowermost portion of the lower edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a second distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for the comminution of a botanical feedstock includes a vessel, a screen positioned in the vessel above a first feedstock outlet and spaced from the top of the vessel, and a blade rotatably mounted above and generally parallel to the screen. The blade has a leading side, a trailing side, and a radial blade length. At least a portion of the leading side has a cutting edge and at least a portion of the trailing side has a downwardly extending trailing portion. The downwardly extending trailing portion has a lower edge having a plurality of discontinuities along a radial length of the trailing portion. The cutting edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a first distance and a lowermost portion of the lower edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a second distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for the extraction of compounds from botanical material using a condensable gas solvent includes an extraction chamber and a cyclonic separator. The cyclonic separator includes a cyclone chamber having a cyclonic tangential fluid inlet. A solvent flow path extends from the extraction chamber to the cyclonic tangential fluid inlet. A sonic flow nozzle is positioned in the solvent flow path upstream of the cyclonic tangential fluid inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for the extraction of compounds from botanical material using a condensable gas solvent includes sequential extraction and separation stages.

Abstract: An apparatus for the comminution of a botanical feedstock includes a vessel, a screen positioned in the vessel above a first feedstock outlet and spaced from the top of the vessel, and a blade rotatably mounted above and generally parallel to the screen. The blade has a leading side, a trailing side, and a radial blade length. At least a portion of the leading side has a cutting edge and at least a portion of the trailing side has a downwardly extending trailing portion. The downwardly extending trailing portion has a lower edge having a plurality of discontinuities along a radial length of the trailing portion. The cutting edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a first distance and a lowermost portion of the lower edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a second distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for the comminution of a botanical feedstock includes a vessel, a screen positioned in the vessel above a first feedstock outlet and spaced from the top of the vessel, and a blade rotatably mounted above and generally parallel to the screen. The blade has a leading side, a trailing side, and a radial blade length. At least a portion of the leading side has a cutting edge and at least a portion of the trailing side has a downwardly extending trailing portion. The downwardly extending trailing portion has a lower edge having a plurality of discontinuities along a radial length of the trailing portion. The cutting edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a first distance and a lowermost portion of the lower edge is spaced from the upper surface of the screen by a second distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for the extraction of compounds from botanical material using a condensable gas solvent includes an extraction chamber wherein the feedstock is extracted while in a frozen state.