A “complete herbal extraction line” quote is only as good as the inputs. Most RFQs fail because they don’t define:
batch rhythm (batches/day) and capacity matching
solvent ratio + solid–liquid ratio (selectivity + viscosity)
filtration bottlenecks
concentration & recovery duty
reflux condenser interface and vapor control
safety scope (flammable solvents) and documentation expectations
This page is designed to be copied into an email or RFQ form so you get faster and more accurate quotations.
If you want a process overview first: botanical extraction process
Copy/Paste Herbal Extraction Line RFQ Checklist
A) Material & product goal (must-have)
Raw material
botanical name/type
form: cut / powder / granule / paste
moisture (% if known) and swelling/foaming tendency
particle size window (sieve cut)
Target compounds + avoid list
target: ____ (phenolics/flavonoids/alkaloids/polysaccharides/oils, etc.)
avoid: ____ (chlorophyll, waxes, bitterness, gums)
Final product form
tincture / liquid extract / thick extract (paste) / powder
quality targets: color, odor, assay, residual solvent limit
Helpful related reading (for defining specs):
B) Throughput & batch rhythm (must-have)
Throughput target
____ kg/day (dry basis preferred)
____ operating hours/day
Batch rhythm
____ kg solids per batch
____ batches/day
target extraction time per batch: ____ hours (or desired cycle time)
Production mode
batch only / semi-continuous / continuous (if applicable)
Why we ask this: A line is limited by the slowest step. “kg/day” without “batches/day” is not enough to size filtration, evaporation, and recovery.
C) Solvent system & selectivity (must-have)
Solvent system
water only / ethanol-water / other allowed solvents
ethanol-water ratio: ____ (or allowed range)
Solid–liquid ratio
____ L/kg (dry basis if possible)
single-stage or multi-stage washing?
Temperature limit / sensitivity
extraction temperature target: ____ °C
max allowable temperature: ____ °C
heat-sensitive compounds? yes/no
If you extract near boiling with ethanol, reflux is usually needed:
D) Extraction module preference (choose one)
Extraction method
agitated extraction tank/vessel (common)
reflux extraction
UAE intensification (ultrasound-assisted extraction)
Soxhlet (benchmark/exhaustive; less common for production)
E) Solid–liquid separation (often the real bottleneck)
Separation method preference
bag filter / filter press / centrifuge / staged filtration
Filtration target
target micron: ____ μm
target filtration rate: ____ L/h
known problems: clogging? gel/slime? high fines? yes/no
If clogging is already a pain point:
F) Concentration (if making thick extract or preparing for drying)
Do you need concentration?
yes/no
target: liquid concentrate / thick paste
Evaporation capacity / time target
____ L/h (or complete within ____ hours per batch)
Temperature ceiling during concentration
max ____ °C (important for heat-sensitive extracts)
G) Solvent recovery (almost always for ethanol systems)
Do you need solvent recovery and reuse?
yes/no
reuse in same product only or across products?
Solvent recovery expectations
expected recovery % (if you have a target)
recovered solvent quality requirement (water content / contamination constraints)
Cooling utility for condensers
water/chilled water/chiller
inlet temperature range and available flow (if known)
Helpful related reading:
H) Drying (if final product is powder)
Drying requirement
spray / vacuum / freeze drying
final moisture target: ____ %
powder properties needed (flowability, bulk density, solubility)
I) Automation, safety, and compliance scope
Automation level
manual / semi-auto / PLC recipes
data logging required? yes/no
Safety scope
flammable solvent? ethanol yes/no
installation environment: indoor/outdoor
explosion-proof requirement: yes/no/unknown
nitrogen blanketing required: yes/no
Compliance / cleanliness
food/nutraceutical/pharma expectations?
cleaning approach: manual / CIP preferred?
If CIP is requested:
J) Documentation and acceptance testing (avoid misunderstandings)
Documents required
datasheet + GA drawing
PFD / P&ID
electrical drawings
manuals + spare parts list
interlock list / I/O list (if PLC)
Testing requirements
FAT required? yes/no
what must be demonstrated (leak test, cycle stability, recovery rate, temperature control)
Services
installation/commissioning: remote / onsite
operator training: yes/no
“Minimum RFQ” (Short email version)
Copy/paste:
Material: ____ (form, moisture, particle size)
Target / avoid: ____ / ____
Solvent system: ____ ; ethanol-water ratio ____ ; S/L ratio ____ L/kg
Throughput: ____ kg/day; batch: ____ kg/batch; ____ batches/day
Extraction mode: tank / reflux / UAE / Soxhlet
Separation: ____ (micron ____, L/h ____)
Concentration: yes/no (target paste/liquid; time or L/h)
Solvent recovery: yes/no (cooling utility ____ )
Powder drying: yes/no (type ____ )
Safety/automation/docs: ____ (explosion-proof scope, PLC, PFD/P&ID, FAT)
FAQ (with answers)
1. Why do you ask for batches/day, not just kg/day?
Because sizing depends on the cycle rhythm. Filtration and evaporation must complete within the batch window or your line throughput collapses.
2. What inputs most often cause inaccurate quotations?
Missing solvent ratio + S/L ratio, missing filtration targets, missing cooling utility conditions, and undefined safety scope.
3. Do I need to decide the extraction method before asking for a quote?
Not always. If you provide material, solvent constraints, throughput, and product form, a supplier can recommend tank vs reflux vs UAE—but you must provide the process constraints.
4. Why do you ask about “avoid list” like chlorophyll and waxes?
Because selectivity drives equipment and process choices (solvent ratio, temperature, purification). This directly affects filtration and downstream cost.
5. What’s the fastest way to get an accurate proposal?
Fill Sections A–G fully (material, ratios, rhythm, separation, concentration, recovery). The rest can be refined later.
Send your RFQ and get a structured proposal
Paste your checklist answers and we’ll propose a balanced extraction line with matched capacities across filtration, concentration, and recovery.