Efficient separation of valuable components from solid raw materials is a core step in many chemical, pharmaceutical, botanical and food processes.
The quality and reliability of your Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment directly affect yield, purity, solvent consumption and overall production cost.
Nanjing Hjchem Equipment Co.,Ltd specializes in stainless steel extraction tanks as the central solution for solid–liquid extraction lines.
From lab trials to full-scale industrial production, we design and manufacture customized equipment that supports stable, scalable and compliant operations.
What Is Solid Liquid Extraction?
Solid Liquid Extraction Definition
Solid liquid extraction (also called leaching) is a separation process in which one or more soluble components (solute) are removed from a solid phase by contact with a liquid solvent. The solute dissolves in the solvent, forming a liquid extract, while the exhausted solid (raffinate) is separated and discharged.
Typical examples include:
Extracting active ingredients from herbs, roots and plant materials with water or ethanol
Recovering APIs or intermediates from filter cakes in pharmaceutical production
Removing residual monomer, plasticizer or impurities from polymer pellets and resins
Leaching metals or salts from catalysts, ores or inorganic solids
Extracting flavors, colors and functional ingredients from food raw materials
The goal of a well-designed Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment solution is to maximize solute recovery, minimize solvent usage, and ensure consistent quality of both the extract and the spent solids.
Structure of Stainless-steel Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment
Stainless Steel Extraction Tanks – Core of Our Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment
1. Why Stainless Steel Extraction Tanks?
For most modern plants, the heart of Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment is a stainless steel extraction tank. It combines mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and good hygienic properties with precise process control.
Nanjing Hjchem Equipment Co.,Ltd designs stainless steel extraction tanks specifically for demanding solid–liquid extraction duties, focusing on:
Robust mechanical design
Optimized agitation and flow patterns
Easy cleaning and maintenance
Compatibility with a wide range of solvents
2. Construction and Materials
Typical material options:
SS304 stainless steel for many chemical and food applications
SS316L stainless steel for higher corrosion resistance and stricter hygiene requirements
Design features include:
Smooth internal surfaces to reduce product sticking and facilitate cleaning
Carefully positioned nozzles and drains to ensure complete discharge
Manways and inspection ports for easy access and visual checks
Optional internal polish and hygienic fittings for pharmaceutical or food-grade service
3. Mixing and Temperature Control
In solid–liquid extraction, uniform mixing and controlled temperature are critical. Our stainless steel extraction tanks can be equipped with:
Anchor, paddle, propeller or turbine agitators, selected according to slurry viscosity and particle characteristics
Jacketed or coil-based heating/cooling using steam, hot water or thermal oil
Temperature sensors and PID control for stable operation
This ensures that your Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment consistently delivers the desired extraction profile, with minimal batch-to-batch variation.
4. Automation, Safety and Compliance
To support modern production standards and regulatory requirements, Nanjing Hjchem offers:
PLC/HMI-based automation for temperature, time, agitation and solvent addition
Data logging and recipe management to support GMP and quality documentation
Options for explosion-proof electrical components and ATEX-like configurations when using flammable solvents such as ethanol
This combination of engineering and control helps our solid liquid extraction solutions meet both technical and compliance expectations.
Applications of Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment
1. Where Our Equipment Is Used
Our Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment, centered on stainless steel extraction tanks, is widely used across industries.
2. Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical
Extraction of APIs and bioactive compounds from natural or semi-synthetic materials
Production of standardized herbal extracts for capsules, tablets and oral liquids
Washing or extracting intermediates from filter cakes to achieve required purity
Requirements in this sector often include SS316L construction, sanitary design, validation documentation and full traceability.
3. Botanicals and Traditional Medicines
Extraction of compounds from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs
Production of botanical extracts for functional foods, beverages and cosmetics
Batch operation using stainless steel extraction tanks offers the flexibility to handle multiple formulas, raw materials and solvent systems while maintaining precision and repeatability.
4. Food and Beverage Ingredients
Extraction of natural colors, flavors, antioxidants and functional ingredients from plant materials
Production of concentrates and extracts for beverage blends and food formulations
Food-grade stainless steel, hygienic fittings and easy cleanability are particularly important for this sector.
5. Fine Chemicals and Specialty Products
Leaching of valuable components from solid catalysts or supports
Removal of unwanted impurities from solid intermediates or final products
Depending on the solvent and temperature, special material selection and additional safety features may be required. Our engineering team can adapt the design of the Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1.What is Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment?
Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment includes all devices used to bring a solid feed into contact with a liquid solvent so that soluble components can be removed. In modern plants, this usually means stainless steel extraction tanks with controlled agitation and temperature, sometimes combined with percolation or multi-stage systems.
2.How is solid–liquid extraction different from distillation?
Solid–liquid extraction separates components based on solubility in a solvent, starting from a solid feed. Distillation separates components based on boiling point differences in liquid or vapor phases. In many plants, extraction is followed by concentration and distillation to recover solvent and purify the extract.
3. Can Nanjing Hjchem supply equipment for lab, pilot and production?
Yes. We design and manufacture lab, pilot and full-scale industrial Solid Liquid Extraction Equipment. This ensures that the process developed at small scale can be transferred to larger units with confidence.
4. What solvents can be used with your extraction tanks?
Common solvents include water, water–ethanol mixtures, food-grade ethanol and various organic solvents, depending on the process. Material selection and sealing solutions are chosen to ensure compatibility and long service life of the equipment.
5. Can the extraction equipment be integrated with other process units?
Absolutely. Our stainless steel extraction tanks can be integrated with filtration systems, vacuum concentrators, solvent recovery columns, molecular distillation systems, spray dryers to form a complete process line from raw material to finished product.
6. Are explosion-proof or special designs available?
For flammable solvents, we can provide explosion-proof electrical components and designs aligned with local safety regulations or ATEX-like requirements. Special materials or coatings can be used for strongly corrosive environments. All such options are evaluated during the engineering phase.