When people think about improving extraction output, they usually think big: more vessels, bigger pumps, a bigger building. But some of the biggest gains come from small, targeted changes that remove the bottlenecks slowing you down every day.
While working with ExtractionTek Stainless (ETS), I helped design several plug-and-play upgrades for the Modular Extraction Platform (MeP) that do exactly that. Each one is affordable, attaches to your existing system, and addresses a real source of downtime or lost time. Here are three of them, and why they matter.
1. Horizontal Coil Mount (HCM): Under $500*
The HCM is a mounting bracket that holds up to three heat exchanger coils in a horizontal orientation on the back of the MeP. ETS offers several configurations to fit different setups.
Why horizontal? Turning the coils on their side puts the LPG injection and discharge ports at a high point and a low point. If moisture condenses inside the coils, you can warm them above freezing and let gravity carry the water to the low port, where it can be removed from the system. That makes cleaning much easier and helps cut the downtime caused by a clogged coil.
There's a second benefit: space. Moving the coil off the left side of the machine and onto the back opens up a spot for two additional vessels. In many cases, that can eliminate the need for another frame altogether, saving you floor space and money on top of the time you save on maintenance. At under $500, it's the least expensive upgrade on the list, and one of the easiest to justify.
2. Vapor Pressure Relief (VPR): Under $1,500*
When you fill a vessel with liquid solvent, the vapor already inside has to go somewhere. If it has no exit, pressure builds and slows the incoming liquid. The VPR gives that vapor a pathway out by connecting the vessel's vapor port to the MeP's recovery system.
With the vapor relieved, solvent can flow into the vessel at a steady speed and fill much faster. On an active recovery system, the recovery pump can even help pull solvent into the vessel and pressurize the operating tank to provide faster fills. This can reduce or eliminate the need for an inert gas to pressurize the operating tank.
Faster fills increase throughput, and they also reduce the time solvent spends in contact with plant material during injection and discharge. That's a win for both efficiency and process control, for under $1,500.
3. Bag Filter Housing (BFH): Under $6,000*
Most MePs rely on traditional gasket filters or sintered disc filters. The BFH is a plug-and-play attachment that adds a bag filter, which offers far more filtration surface area.
An operator can route all of their material vessels through a single BFH. The bags are easy to change once full, and most operations only need to swap them weekly or even less often. It's the priciest of the three, but at under $6,000 it's still very affordable, and the time saved on filter changes adds up quickly. Anyone who has cleaned a sintered disc can truly appreciate the time saved with this upgrade.
The Bottom Line
None of these upgrades require a major capital investment, and each targets a specific pain point: clogged coils, limited vessel space, slow fills, and constant filter changes. Together, they can help you get more out of the system you already have.
And there's a fourth upgrade I haven't covered here. It deserves a post of its own: read Part 2, the Distillation Tank Filter (DTF).
Let Us Help You Get It Done
I can provide all of these upgrades, install them, and train your team to get the most out of them. If you're running a MeP and want to know which upgrades fit your operation, reach out to me at [email protected] and let's talk. You can also see our full equipment services.
*These prices are accurate as of the time I wrote this. As with any industry, prices tend to rise with the cost of production.
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