Abstract: Trichomes, lupulins and other plant parts can be efficiently separated from plant biomass by continuous filtration. In some embodiments plant biomass is collected and combined with water to form a plant biomass mixture. The plant biomass mixture is passed through a filtration device in which the plant biomass mixture is continuously flowed through a filter material. The device includes a cleaning apparatus that cleans the filter material during the process. In some embodiments greater than 90% of the plant parts are collected from the starting plant biomass. The plant parts can be subsequently processed to obtain desired compounds. For example, trichomes can be separated from other plant biomass and subsequently processed to extract one or more cannabinoids or terpenes, such as THC and/or CBD.

Abstract: Trichomes, lupulins and other plant parts can be efficiently separated from plant biomass by continuous filtration. In some embodiments plant biomass is collected and combined with water to form a plant biomass mixture. The plant biomass mixture is passed through a filtration device in which the plant biomass mixture is continuously flowed through a filter material. The device includes a cleaning apparatus that cleans the filter material during the process. In some embodiments greater than 90% of the plant parts are collected from the starting plant biomass. The plant parts can be subsequently processed to obtain desired compounds. For example, trichomes can be separated from other plant biomass and subsequently processed to extract one or more cannabinoids or terpenes, such as THC and/or CBD.

Abstract: Fluid filtration devices and methods of filtering fluids are described. The devices generally include a housing, a hollow filter assembly, a rotating cleaning assembly and a device to measure the accumulation of solids in the filter housing. In some embodiments the accumulation of solids is measured by measuring the torque required to rotate the cleaning assembly. Torque may be measured directly, such as with a torque sensor, or indirectly, such as by measuring the current used by an electric motor to drive rotation of the cleaning assembly. In some embodiments a purge valve is opened to remove accumulated solids from the housing when a certain level of solids accumulation is detected.