Closed Loop Extraction Systems (CLS) 103: Vacuum

There are two reasons to vacuum the extractor: 1. create negative pressure to “pull” the butane into the extractor; 2. remove oxygen from the extractor to prevent potential explosive conditions. Follow the steps below. One step at a time, you vacuum out each segment of the extractor. The chart will show you the open/closed condition of every valve or on/off switch as you work through the steps.

Step 1 – Pre-vacuum – turn on vacuum
Component #	Component Name	Abbreviation	Open/On	Closed/Off
1	Extraction Column Valve	ECV		x
2	Low Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM2		x
3	High Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM3		x
4	Purge Port	PP		x
5	Recovery Cylinder	RC		x
6	Vacuum Pump	VP	x
7	Recovery Pump	RP		x

Step 1.1 – Vacuum – open purge port (4)
Component #	Component Name	Abbreviation	Open/On	Closed/Off
1	Extraction Column Valve	ECV		x
2	Low Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM2		x
3	High Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM3		x
4	Purge Port	PP	x
5	Recovery Cylinder	RC		x
6	Vacuum Pump	VP	x
7	Recovery Pump	RP		x

Step 1.2 – Vacuum – close purge port (4) and open high pressure recovery manifold valve (3)
Component #	Component Name	Abbreviation	Open/On	Closed/Off
1	Extraction Column Valve	ECV		x
2	Low Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM2		x
3	High Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM3	x
4	Purge Port	PP		x
5	Recovery Cylinder	RC		x
6	Vacuum Pump	VP	x
7	Recovery Pump	RP		x

Step 1.3 – Vacuum – close high pressure recovery manifold valve (3) and open low pressure recovery manifold valve (2)
Component #	Component Name	Abbreviation	Open/On	Closed/Off
1	Extraction Column Valve	ECV		x
2	Low Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM2	x
3	High Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM3		x
4	Purge Port	PP		x
5	Recovery Cylinder	RC		x
6	Vacuum Pump	VP	x
7	Recovery Pump	RP		x

Step 1.4 – Vacuum – open extraction column valve (1)
Component #	Component Name	Abbreviation	Open/On	Closed/Off
1	Extraction Column Valve	ECV	x
2	Low Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM2	x
3	High Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM3		x
4	Purge Port	PP		x
5	Recovery Cylinder	RC		x
6	Vacuum Pump	VP	x
7	Recovery Pump	RP		x

Step 1.5 – Vacuum – Vacuum extractor to the maximum vacuum (~29″Hg)
Component #	Component Name	Abbreviation	Open/On	Closed/Off
1	Extraction Column Valve	ECV	x
2	Low Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM2	x
3	High Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM3		x
4	Purge Port	PP		x
5	Recovery Cylinder	RC		x
6	Vacuum Pump	VP	x
7	Recovery Pump	RP		x

Step 1.6 – Vacuum – close extraction column valve (1) and low pressure recovery manifold (2)
Component #	Component Name	Abbreviation	Open/On	Closed/Off
1	Extraction Column Valve	ECV		x
2	Low Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM2		x
3	High Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM3		x
4	Purge Port	PP		x
5	Recovery Cylinder	RC		x
6	Vacuum Pump	VP	x
7	Recovery Pump	RP		x

Step 1.7 – Vacuum – Wait 10 minutes and observe all pressure gauges for pressure drop, then check one valve at a time for pressure drop
Component #	Component Name	Abbreviation	Open/On	Closed/Off
1	Extraction Column Valve	ECV	x
2	Low Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM2	x
3	High Pressure Recovery Manifold	RM3	x
4	Purge Port	PP	x
5	Recovery Cylinder	RC		x
6	Vacuum Pump	VP	x
7	Recovery Pump	RP		x

As always, if you have any questions please post them in the comments section. Your questions and time are valuable and we will make every attempt to help you through your process.