Study into the effects of particle size and size distribution of milled cannabis and its effects on extraction outcomes.

1. GRINDING: THE DELICATE DANCE BETWEEN OPTIMIZATION
AND REPETITION TO CONTROL EXTRACTION OUTCOMES
S 1F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
• Pre-processing
• Considerations
• Physical characterization
BARRY SCHUBMEHL
TECHNICAL MANAGER
FRITSCH MILLING & SIZING, INC.
DR. MARKUS ROGGEN
VP EXTRACTIONS
OUTCO
• Overview
• Parameters
• Findings

2. PRE-PROCESSING - OVERVIEW
S 2F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
Extraction

3. PRE-PROCESSING - CONSIDERATIONS
S 3F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
PREVENT LOSSES
• Physical / Chemical
IMPROVE CONTROL & CONSISTENCY
• Packing density
• Extraction efficiency
ALSO IMPORTANT
• Worker safety
• Validatable cleaning SOP – reduce risk
of batch rejection
• Energy & labor costs

4. MOLECULAR CHANGES THROUGH MILLING
S 4F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
Does milling effect the substrate quality?
0%
1%
2%
%decarb by Size
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
%wt. Terpenes by Size

5. EXTRACTION EFFECTS THROUGH MILLING
S 5F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
What method gives the highest yield?
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
Non-Ground Food
Blender
2 mm 6 mm 10 mm
%Recovery
Cannabinoid Recovery by Size
75
80
85
90
95
Non-Ground Food
Blender
2 mm 6 mm 10 mm
%Recovery
Terpene Recovery by Size

6. EXTRACTION PARAMETERS
S 6F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
• 3 kg of plant matter
• Terpene Fraction (F1): 1100 psi, 34˚C, 5 h
• Cannabinoid Fraction (F2): 1900 psi, 60˚C, 12 h

7. EXTRACTION PRECISION TERPENES
S 7F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
30
35
40
45
50
55
Non-Ground Food Blender 2 mm 6 mm 10 mm
%conc.
Terpene Concentration F1
Higher is better, Food Blender wins
0
1
2
3
4
5
Non-Ground Food Blender 2 mm 6 mm 10 mm
%conc.
Terpene Concentration F2
Lower is better, 2mm wins
• 3 kg of plant matter
• Terpene Fraction (F1): 1100 psi, 34˚C, 5 h
• Cannabinoid Fraction (F2): 1900 psi, 60˚C, 12 h

8. EXTRACTION PRECISION CANNABINOIDS
S 8F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
0
2
4
6
Non-Ground Food
Blender
2 mm 6 mm 10 mm
%conc.
Cannabinoid Concentration F1
Lower is better, 10mm wins
55
60
65
70
75
Non-Ground Food
Blender
2 mm 6 mm 10 mm
%conc.
Cannabinoid Concentration F2
Higher is better, 2mm wins
• 3 kg of plant matter
• Terpene Fraction (F1): 1100 psi, 34˚C, 5 h
• Cannabinoid Fraction (F2): 1900 psi, 60˚C, 12 h

9. PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION
S 9F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
NEW METHOD
• Laser particle sizer
ANALYSETTE 22 NanoTec
• Wet dispersion
• Propylene glycol,
IPA
WHY?
To determine the particle size
distribution of material going
into the extractor
HOW?
• Visual / sensory - No
• Sieving - Limited
• Optical based- Yes
• Laser based - Yes
Contributors: Dr. Günther Crolly, Jeff Scott

10. MILLING EXAMPLES
S 1 0F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .

11. PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION - EXAMPLES
S 1 1F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
Example 1: Food Blender Example 2: Milled Cannabis leaves

12. PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION - EXAMPLES
S 1 2F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .
Example 3: Trichome heads Example 2: Milled Cannabis leaves

13. EXTRACTION EFFECTS THROUGH MILLING
S 1 3F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .

14. QUESTIONS
S 1 4F R I T S C H MI L L I N G & S I Z I N G , I N C .