Spiral Water Technologies, Inc.

Dow Global Technolgoies LLC

Clean Filtration Technologies, Inc.

David Levitt

Frank Dutro

John H Mallard

George D Caffell

Steven E O'Reilly

Jamie Yosha

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.

Plant trichome filtration and concentration

A fluid filtration device is provided that can be used for separating solids from fluids. In some embodiments, the fluid filtration device comprises a hollow housing and a hollow filter assembly located within the housing. Fluid to be filtered is provided to the inside of a filter material in the filter assembly and passes outward toward the housing. In some embodiments one or more flow-directing features are located between the filter assembly and the housing, and may aid in the flow of fluid to a filtered outlet after passing through the filter. The flow-directing features may comprise, for example, channels that extend the length of the filter.

Flow control features for fluid filtration device and methods

Fluid filtration devices and methods of filtering fluids are described. The devices generally include a housing and an annular filter assembly, wherein the filter assembly is located inside the housing and comprises a filter material. The filter material may be, for example, an electroformed nickel screen having a smooth working surface and expanding pores. A rotating cleaning assembly comprising a distributor and wipers may be located inside the filter assembly.

Fluid filtration and particle concentration device and methods

Cleaning assemblies and particulate tolerant fluid bearings that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. In one aspect of the invention, at least one bearing is arranged to carry a circulating cleaning assembly such that the cleaning assembly can rotate around a filter membrane during filtering operation of the filtration device. The bearing is preferably arranged to maintain the circulating cleaning assembly in a substantially coaxial alignment with the filter membrane and in a substantially stable longitudinal position relative to the filter membrane as the circulating cleaning assembly is rotated around the filter membrane. In another aspect of the invention a variety of particulate tolerant bearings are described.

Cleaning assembly for use in fluid filtration systems

A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, a circulating cleaning assembly is provided in the hydroclone region. In yet another aspect of the invention, improved hydroclone intake structures are described.

Hydroclone based fluid filtration system

A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, the filter is a stepped filter. In another aspect of the invention, the filter is an surface filter, as for example, an electroformed metal surface filter. In some preferred embodiments, the openings in the filter are arranged as slots that extend substantially vertically so that they are oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path of fluid flowing in the adjacent portion of the vortex. In another aspect of the invention, a circulating cleaning assembly is provided in the hydroclone region. The cleaning assembly is arranged to help clean the filter and is driven by the vortex of flowing fluid formed in the hydroclone region of the internal chamber. In yet another aspect of the invention, improved hydroclone intake structures are described. The described hydroclones may be used to filter water and other fluids in a wide variety of applications.

Growing community of inventors

San Anselmo, CA, United States of America

David Levitt