Terpenation at Terpene Station

[HG23]

What do you need a diagram for? The pics are plenty, no diagram needed.

 

[Gray Wolf]

Are you going to post up the MK IVA diagrams you reference in your parts list soon?

Pulling the trigger on some of the more important parts for one tomorrow.

I am assembling the prototype Mk IVA as we speak, as well as the Mk VB. They are both for the most part assembled out of parts that I had made in China and so gorgeous that the first multi Terpenator owner that laid eyes on them, committed to buy them both on the spot.

I will be posting pictures shortly, but both are unique in that you can flood a column from either direction, as well as vacuum or recover the columns separate from the lower tank.

While I do schematics, I haven't yet for much of the more elaborate Mk's, because I'm old, slow on a board, and short of time (both figuratively and literally). Though I've always done my own conceptuals, I was graced with as many design draftsmen as it took to produce the detailed prints. I now seriously miss those stalwart lads and ladies, whom have the time and patience to sit hour after hour and produce detail prints.

Especially since 2002 Auto Cad programs, running on virtual 32 bit programs, on 64 bit computers, aren't very fast and often lose their minds, which I find trying and detracting to my normally golden temperament and outlook on life.

To compound issues, my hands grow more arthritic and my left wrist still suffers when I type, even a decade after surgery, so I try to use those skills to their best advantage.

As has been noted, the design is fortunately simple, having evolved from my simple mind, and a picture is worth at least 1000 words.

Maybe with my drafting skills, as much as 1000 hours at my 2002 Auto Cad program as well, which is so ancient as to require a virtual program on my 64 bit computer to even run. Now that I am retired, plunking down another $2K for an update, doesn't really pencil out

As soon as I finish putting these puppies together, I'll post pictures of the units and their unique qualities.

Alas, my prototype thermocouple from Branom Instruments in Portland, hasn't worked out, so I am having one built by Omega for the same price.

I dropped by Branom, identified myself as an OEM manufacturer, and inspected some surplus Type K thermocouples that they were stuck with in moribund inventory, and bought five for trial in column heating applications, pledging to consider the balance of the lot if they worked out. I also discussed a moribund roll of type K thermocouple wire, from which we can make our own.

After buying the thermocouples, I ordered the custom thermocouple for the Mk IV prototype and proceeded with the rest of the build. When everything else was together and still no thermocouple, I called and inquired, only to learn, to my dismay and chagrin, that they had failed to order it.

I again requested that they order it, and told them that they were now the long pole in the tent with regard to project schedule. The technical assistance guy taking my order, said that instead of waiting another month or so, I could have it in two days for another $50.

I said please get it on order, and it was good that Omega could respond in that time frame, but since it was his error, he should pay or sweet talk any expedition fees with Omega.

He took the position that he couldn't afford the $50 fee to expedite and again failed to order the thermocouple.

I choose my business partners, and I choose not to do business with shallow minded partners with zero financial perspective for their own business, as well as no compassion for the damage they do to mine.

Times are hungry and there is no end to competitors willing to treat me with more respect and business partners with more compassion and support. Case in point, Omega.

 

[Breakover]

Ordered parts from Omega the evening of the 27th, and they sent me an email stating that my order isn't scheduled to ship until tomorrow. Three days to pick and package a handful of parts? Wtf?

Makes me want to buy the cheap Chinese crap off eBay...

 

[jdee]

Anyone tried using something like http://anovaculinary.com/products/anova instead of APW Wyott RCW-11? It's hot water bath circulator for sous vide cooking that holds precise temps from 77f to 210f? I ask because I just picked up everything needed to put an mkIII together even the soup pot, but I'm thinking for this same price the anova would be a better buy due to the multiple uses and the wider temperature range and more precise temperature control, thoughts anyone?

 

[dopecook]

I can't say whether it will work with the Terpenator, but I will say that the Sous Vide is a fun toy, and you will get a lot of use out of it if you make the investment.

 

[HG23]

jdee,

It seems like a lot of people have gone to icing the refrigerant tank and applying column heat as primary ways to decrease recovery times. I've also heard of a method where the recovery pot is simply dipped in warm water briefly when it begins to ice up to help with recovery.

Applying heat to the recovery pot is a really good way to decrease recovery times but for some people here it has lead to darker overall extracts which aren't as desirable.

 

[Backyard Farmer]

On the mk IV how deep down does the dip tube and column tube go down? How much of a pool of oil do you get from a 4x36 column? Don't want to suck stuff up or blow it all round...thanks. ...to use 2 g5s do I put a t on the tank and pump back in to 1 tank with 2 appions? Ordered a 10x12 and 2 end caps today.

 

[Backyard Farmer]

I read gray wolfs post one page back answered my question myself. Center tube and dip tube go down 10"

The question I have now is about the valves. 3 3/8" valves for the recovery pumps and vac pump , 1 1/4" valve for butane injection , 2" valve for dump valve ..do you have a particular dump valve you like? Just get a rebuilable one? Do you think two g5s will be noticeably faster? Seems like you can put only so much pumping power thru a 3/8" hose?

 

[rb extractors]

you don't need a 3/8 valve for the vac pump. put the recovery valves on one side and 1/4 stubs on the other side. one for the pump and one for the gauge. because it is so tall, I don't like hard piping for it

 

[Gray Wolf]

Anyone tried using something like http://anovaculinary.com/products/anova instead of APW Wyott RCW-11? It's hot water bath circulator for sous vide cooking that holds precise temps from 77f to 210f? I ask because I just picked up everything needed to put an mkIII together even the soup pot, but I'm thinking for this same price the anova would be a better buy due to the multiple uses and the wider temperature range and more precise temperature control, thoughts anyone?

There are two ends of the extraction spectrum. One using practically no heat and producing carboxylic acid and the other producing oil for oral ingestion.

For the latter, the soup pot works fine at around 200F, but clearly doesn't work well for the first.

For the former, you don't need a hot pot, just a bucket of water to dip the Mk IIIA in occasionally to melt off the ice.

For the larger heavier Mk IV and V, we are using silicone heat blankets with PID controllers, or an optional water jacketed collection tank, for use with a process temperature controller. In those cases we apply 150F temperature to the columns after the final dump, but keep the pot just above freezing.

 

[Gray Wolf]

On the mk IV how deep down does the dip tube and column tube go down? How much of a pool of oil do you get from a 4x36 column? Don't want to suck stuff up or blow it all round...thanks. ...to use 2 g5s do I put a t on the tank and pump back in to 1 tank with 2 appions? Ordered a 10x12 and 2 end caps today.

Half a 2" X 24" spool extends 2" above the top of the lid, which is about .440" thick, so it leaves about 9.56" sticking below the lid.

You don't suck through either of the dip tubes. The suction is to the lid penetration that is flush on the bottom.

Plenty of room for a 4 X 36" column.

There are connections for three pumps on the Mk IV, but you have to use a pipe tee on the discharge sides to the tank.

 

[Backyard Farmer]

So chain the outlets together in to one tank

 

[Gray Wolf]

So chain the outlets together in to one tank

Yes! It helps if you also run it through an after cooler like the MT-69, with it sitting in an ice water bath.

 

[Backyard Farmer]

Thanks, GW.

 

[icdog]

For those who freeze their tubes before a run, does any ice accumulate inside at all, is it an issue? Water is not good for the process right.
Do you freeze a packed tube or just the tube and why do it?

 

[rb extractors]

keep the endcaps on or use dry ice

 

[Gray Wolf]

For those who freeze their tubes before a run, does any ice accumulate inside at all, is it an issue? Water is not good for the process right.
Do you freeze a packed tube or just the tube and why do it?

If you pack it first and then freeze, the atmospheric water doesn't have access to freeze ice over the trichomes. Atmosphere in a freezer at -18C/0F has no atmospheric water to add.

 

[HighStateToke]

Can anyone find something wrong with these?

http://www.murrayequipment.com/dyncat.asp?SGroup=Stainless+Steel+Ball+Valves

 

[Gray Wolf]

Can anyone find something wrong with these?

http://www.murrayequipment.com/dyncat.asp?SGroup=Stainless+Steel+Ball+Valves

Looks good to me.

 

[Young Bull]

I would like to start off saying that I have been drooling over the terps since I discovered them on the internet a little over 2 years ago. Amazing work JD. I have been following along over on SPR ever since. I have only just recently tackled this thread though because I only now have found the money to order all of the MKIIIA parts whoo hoo. I feel very confident that I understand the can tapping and running process but I have a few questions regarding my assembly, and purging.

My system as of now is the original MKIIIA design minus the soup pot, plus a sight glass, the mega flow hose, a 36" x 1 1/2" column, and a 6" x 12" base. No filter driers yet, or modified clear lid for purging.

Unfortunately I ordered before I fully understood all of the required parts. I ordered sight glass gaskets on accident where I needed the ones with the nibs on them. They are Viton and pass the pressure test but they worry me, should I replace them before I run?

Also these same sight glass gaskets don't fit into my sight glass, although it passed the pressure test with the gaskets it came with, was the reasoning behind that change that they couldn't stand up to high pressure?

When assembling the MKIIIA it was mentioned very early on by I believe FE to not put tape on the compression fittings, does that mean just on the threads but not up to the compression part or just not use any at all?

When doing the initial can tapping session is it necessary to do any further polishing of the butane to remove the mystery oil or is it all removed by the time it has recovered for the first time into the tank?
I have not ordered a filter drier yet. Do you all recommend not running until I can get one?

When I am running my first dry run would it be okay if I completely filled my column with coffee filters as I don’t have any post-run material yet?

Also I haven't sourced any SS mesh, are most of you still just shoving a couple down at the bottom and top or have you all moved on to something more refined like cutting filter paper or mesh or some combination of things I've not mentioned?

Also if I plan to winterize would it still behoove me to use DI during my extraction?

My goal is to have nice clear/clean shatter, keeping in mind the fact that I want to winterize and I don't have the clear lid modification or a vacuum oven, what recommendations would you fine gentlemen have for me regarding my purging and finishing? I'd rather not pour butane but I don't want to scrape either. Also on that note once you have a beautiful pie pan of shatter how do you get it out? Does the warmed up SS pie piece picker upper work well for that? I know it’s not okay to pour butane into a silicone pan but what about ethanol?
I know I've asked so many questions and I have more but I'll stop there. Sorry if I'm all over the place I just finished a power read through of this forum. And my mind is swimming.

Thank you GW for everything you have done, and thank you FE for starting this thread.

Thanks to all in advance for any help I may receive,
YB