ultrasonic ethanol extraction equipment

The ultrasonic ethanol extraction equipment combines ultrasonic cavitation effect with ethanol solvent to generate micro jets and shock waves in the liquid through high-frequency vibration, efficiently destroying plant cell walls and accelerating the transfer of target components (such as polyphenols, flavonoids, glycosides) to ethanol phase. Compared with traditional hot reflux method, it can shorten the extraction time (usually 30-80 minutes) at lower temperatures (such as 40-70 ℃), significantly reducing the degradation of thermosensitive components; Compared to microwave methods, it has lower equipment costs and safer operation; Ethanol, as a food grade solvent, has both safety and good polarity matching, making it suitable for most natural products
Ultrasonic ethanol extraction equipment is a mature industrial solution for green and efficient extraction of natural products.

process flow

Preprocessing stage
Raw material crushing: Crush materials (such as plant tissue) to a particle size of 20-80 mesh to increase the specific surface area.
Solvent preparation: Ethanol concentration is optimized according to the polarity of the target component (usually 40% -80%), such as using 60% ethanol for flavonoids.
Ultrasonic extraction stage
Dynamic countercurrent extraction: The material flows in reverse with ethanol, creating a concentration gradient that accelerates mass transfer.
Ultrasound parameter control:
Frequency selection: 20-40kHz (for hard materials with broken walls) or 60-80kHz (for soft tissues).
Power density: 100-3000W, intermittent mode to prevent overheating (working 30s/pause 10s).
Temperature control: Low temperature operation (20-60 ℃) to avoid degradation of thermosensitive components.
post-processing stage
Filtration and concentration:
The extraction solution is subjected to vacuum rotary evaporation or thin film concentration, with a temperature of ≤ 50 ℃ (thermosensitive component).
Solvent recovery: The three-stage condensing device achieves an ethanol recovery rate of ≥ 99.8%.

Component purification: optional integrated membrane filtration or chromatography module to enhance purity

technical advantage of ultrasonic ethanol extraction equipment 
Extraction efficiency: Completed in 10-60 minutes, with a yield increase of 20% -40%
Energy consumption: Electricity consumption ≤ 85kWh/ton of medicinal herbs (saving 40% energy)
Solvent usage: Reduce ethanol usage by 50%
Component integrity: Low temperature protection for thermosensitive components (such as enzyme activity retention of 90%)
Environmental friendliness: closed-loop solvent recycling

Ethanol concentration: 50-70% is the optimal range (balancing polarity and extraction efficiency).

Material to liquid ratio: 1:15-1:50 (adjusted according to raw material density)

working principle
Cavitation effect: Ultrasonic waves generate microbubbles in ethanol, which rupture to form local high temperatures (≈ 5000K) and high pressures (≈ 1000atm), damaging the cell wall and releasing contents.
Mechanical effect: High frequency vibration (>20kHz) enhances solvent penetration and diffusion rate, reducing extraction time to 1/5 of traditional methods.
Low temperature advantage: avoids the deactivation of thermosensitive components (such as polyphenols and enzymes) caused by high temperatures, with a retention rate of ≥ 97%
Equipment structure
Ultrasound system:
Energy gathering transducer array: directly acting on the extraction tube, with adjustable frequency (15-25kHz).
Variable frequency generator: dynamically adjust power to match material characteristics.
Extraction concentration integrated unit:
Multi stage countercurrent extraction tube: realizes continuous production, with a material to liquid ratio of 1:10~1:40 (g/mL).
Vacuum concentration tank: Made of 316L stainless steel, with a surface finish of Ra ≤ 0.8 μ m.
intelligent control system
PLC+NIR online monitoring: real-time adjustment of ultrasound power, temperature, and solvent flow rate.
Data traceability: Record 32 parameters (such as temperature ± 0.5 ℃, power fluctuation ≤ 2%)

Precision filtration: multi-stage filter bag or membrane filtration (0.1-10 μ m) to separate solid residues.
Explosion proof design: Complies with ATEX/IECEx standards and is suitable for ethanol flammable environments.
Automation control: PLC programming controls parameters such as ultrasonic power, temperature, flow rate, etc

application field
Extraction of pharmaceuticals and natural products
Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine: The dissolution rate of ingredients in compound preparations (such as Liuwei Dihuang Pills) has increased by 35%; Refined raw materials for injection (reducing impurities in Astragaloside IV by 55%).
Bioactive substances: low-temperature extraction of microbial enzymes and peptides; Efficient extraction of CBD oil.
Food and cosmetics industry
Pigments and spices: Peanut coat red pigment (extraction rate 33.25%), low-temperature extraction of rose essential oil.
Functional ingredients: Flavonoids (corn, pineapple peel), Resveratrol (flower buds).
Emerging fields
Nano material dispersion: uniform dispersion of graphene/carbon nanotubes in lubricants.