Flow governor and limiter disc assembly in an extraction column

Abstract

A flow limiter system is provided for extracting compounds from raw materials with an extraction column. The flow limiter system may include a flow governor assembly which contains and buffers a flow of pressurized solvent entering the base of the extraction column to prevent the flow of pressurized solvent from drilling into the raw materials packed within the extraction column. The flow governor assembly may further include a first disc with a first set of perforations to direct the surge of solvent through the first disc to transform the turbulent surge of solvent into a column of non-turbulent solvent with a flat surface layer that rises up the extraction column evenly and collectively. Additionally, the flow limiter system may also include a limiter disc including a second set of perforations to allow the extracted effluent to flow through the set of perforations and exit the extraction column.

1 . A limiter disc comprising:
 a disc that acts as a barrier to keep raw materials packed into an extraction column while simultaneously allowing an effluent extracted from the raw materials to flow through a set of perforations on the disc and proceed to exit the extraction column.   
     
     
         2 . The limiter disc of  claim 1 , wherein the set of perforations is configured such that a rate of extracted effluent leaving the extraction column is half the rate of solvent flowing into the extraction column. 
     
     
         3 . The limiter disc of  claim 1 , wherein the set of perforations is arranged such that a rate of extracted effluent leaving the extraction column is slower than the rate of solvent flowing into the extraction column. 
     
     
         4 . The limiter disc of  claim 1 , wherein the rate of extracted effluent leaving the extraction column at a slower rate than the solvent flowing into the extraction column results in a pressure differential within the extraction column, causing a flow of solvent not passed through the limiter disc to be redirected back down towards a base of the extraction column to recharge areas within the raw materials that have low energy to ensure a complete and thorough extraction of all the raw materials within the extraction column.