Abstract: Continuous extraction concentration and isolation units are constructed with at least one extraction chambers containing extractable material. Without disruption of total fluid flow in the unit: an extraction chamber completely depleted of extract can be refilled with fresh extractable material or can be replaced with an extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material. Extract are continuously separated from one or more solvents in expansion chambers and removed. All solvents can be retained within the unit. One or more compressors circulate the fluids through the extraction chambers, the expansion chamber, and a condenser, where the expansion chamber and the condenser can be coupled as a heat exchanger. One or more isolators can be included for selectively removing components that are extracted from the plant material without disruption of the process and provide the removed components in concentrated or pure form.

Abstract: Continuous extraction concentration and isolation units are constructed with at least one extraction chambers containing extractable material. Without disruption of total fluid flow in the unit: an extraction chamber completely depleted of extract can be refilled with fresh extractable material or can be replaced with an extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material. Extract are continuously separated from one or more solvents in expansion chambers and removed. All solvents can be retained within the unit. One or more compressors circulate the fluids through the extraction chambers, the expansion chamber, and a condenser, where the expansion chamber and the condenser can be coupled as a heat exchanger. One or more isolators can be included for selectively removing components that are extracted from the plant material without disruption of the process and provide the removed components in concentrated or pure form.

Abstract: Extraction units are constructed having at least one extraction chamber containing extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. One or more means for fluid flow can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers and the expansion chamber, where the expansion chamber and a condenser or the output of the means for fluid flow are coupled as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: Extraction units are constructed having at least one extraction chamber containing extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. One or more means for fluid flow can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers and the expansion chamber, where the expansion chamber and a condenser or the output of the means for fluid flow are coupled as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: Continuous extraction units are constructed having a plurality of extraction chambers containing extractable material. Without disruption of total fluid flow in the unit: an extraction chamber completely depleted of extract can be evacuated of solvent and replaced with an extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. All solvent can be retained within the unit. One or more compressors can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers, the expansion chamber, and a condenser, where the expansion chamber and the condenser can be coupled as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: Continuous extraction units are constructed having a plurality of extraction chambers containing extractable material. Without disruption of total fluid flow in the unit: an extraction chamber completely depleted of extract can be evacuated of solvent and replaced with an extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. All solvent can be retained within the unit. One or more compressors can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers, the expansion chamber, and a condenser, where the expansion chamber and the condenser can be coupled as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A Snyder-type distilling column having improved floating ball vapor valves. When used in a standard Snyder-type column, the valve comprises a spherical upper portion and a downwardly extending guide stem. When used in a microcolumn, the upper portion is mushroom shaped with a downwardly extending guide stem. The lower surface of either upper portion forms the valve face and includes multiple indentations therein. When a ball valve is closed, the indentations form by-pass passages to permit draining of condensed liquids therethrough thereby preventing flooding of the column. The indentations also permit the passage of vapors through the ball valve indentations thereby preventing sticking which can occur with a tight fitting ball valve and cause rotation of the ball valve during use which also assists in preventing sticking.