Solvent Direct introduces more high purity gas options for butane, propane, isobutane and custom blend BHO extraction.
We've long fought for industry-leading standards in extraction supply by packaging our Ultra High Purity Gas in cylinders with certified 3 phase decontamination before every refill. While advocating for higher extraction standards, we recognize the demand for cost-effective gas supply.
Responding to this client demand, we now offer several ultra high purity gas options ensuring flexibility for extractors across the US, while maintaining our commitment to quality, value and service. This strategic move aims to cater to more diverse customer preferences, striking a balance between quality and value.
Please be patient while we ramp up inventories of these new butane options across our distribution network.
WHY SOLVENT DIRECT FOR EXTRACTION?
Solvent Direct is known for having the highest purity standards in extraction gas supply. With product from Diversified CPC purity levels testing as high as 99.7%+ combined with 3 Phase Cylinder Decontamination before every refill, our industry-leading extraction gas defines the safe supply extractors have come to trust.
Our 3 Phase Cylinder Decontamination plant is centrally located in the Midwest United States and the cost of transportation to process our cylinders with this revolutionary cleaning standard is significant. When selecting our UHP Gas with 3 Phase Decontamination, please remember our cost is higher not just because of the cleaning process before every refill, but also because of the transportation cost to have cylinders moved back and forth to our cleaning plant.
Not only do we do we offer the highest purity standards in the industry, but we have the industry's first online document repository which delivers transparency in Extraction Gases to the industry like never before.
FOR THE INDUSTRY, BY THE INDUSTRY
Solvent Direct was built for the industry, by the industry. Supplying ultra high purity (UHP) gases engineered specifically for extraction to our friends and family is a commitment we take seriously. We believe butane certifications and cylinder decontaminations should be readily available to extractors to reduce liability and create true transparency in supply. Using Gas Chromatography and 3 Phase Cylinder Decontamination, we maintain purity standards you just won't find anywhere else. Use your cylinder serial number to confirm purity with our easy to use step by step process at solventdirect.com/documents.
CERTIFICATIONS & TRANSPARENCY
Cylinder and gas purity certifications for Solvent Direct butane, propane, isobutane and custom blends can be tracked and traced through their online repository. Solvent Direct clients can search for their cylinder serial numbers and access the Certificate of Analysis (COA) for the gas, along with the Certificate of Decontamination (COD) for the cylinder. These certifications include critical information such as the cylinder serial number, date of fill and date of cylinder decontamination and the signature of the certifying individual to ensure the highest purity standards in the industry. Clients can access detailed information about their cylinders, including gas purity and chain of custody, through Solvent Direct's revolutionary document search repository at www.solventdirect.com/documents.
Solvent Direct continues to lead the way in providing innovative solutions for the extraction industry. With enhanced X-Gas (Cortera Gas) 2.0 options and unparalleled transparency in the supply chain, we empower our clients with choices and information to elevate their extraction processes. Learn more at www.solventdirect.com/gas and www.solventdirect.com/compliance.
X-GAS 2.0 (CORTERA)
Solvent Direct X-Gas (Cortera Gas) was developed by Rami Rodriguez at Cortera Gas specifically for diamond extraction and introduced to the market by Solvent Direct in December of 2022.
This product has been selected and refined to prevent Medusa and Fast Crash Reactions in extraction. X-Gas is sourced exclusively from shale deposits that do not require high levels of additives in the extraction process, and then is filtered through a twin system consisting of two adsorbent medias that target oxygenates and nitrogenated halogens, which current research indicates to be the main catalysts of Medusa and Fast Crash reactions. A proprietary third media is being used for a final pass. Check out the Q+A below with Rami Rodriguez to learn more about X-Gas 2.0 (Perseus Gas).
ULTRA HIGH PURITY GAS
Similar to what most distributors sell for extraction in the current market, UHP gas is typically sourced from Diversified CPC and packaged in cylinders with only an inspection and vacuum before refill. While some suppliers offer cleaning of these cylinders before refill, it is important to verify the type of cleaning, the certification of the cleaning (if any) as well as the frequency and cost of the cleaning. Please contact your Dedicated Account Manager to explore options for this standard of gas and cleaning across our various distribution points in the US.
Although we believe in the highest standards possible, responding to our client demands we now offer this option to ensure flexibility for extractors across the US, while maintaining our commitment to quality, value and service. This strategic move aims to cater to more diverse customer preferences, striking a balance between quality and value.
LARGE ENOUGH TO SERVE, SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE
With industry specific purity standards and logistical expertise, we strive to address the most stringent customer requirements of quality, value and service to ensure delivery of the lab supply extractors need, when extractors need it. We are committed to these values and look forward to serving you.
Source Verification
Ensure suppliers provide certifications of LP gas purity before accepting shipments.
Regularly audit supplier quality and testing processes.
Incoming Gas Inspection
Sample and test gas from every delivery using gas chromatography (GC) for purity verification.
Check for contaminants like water, sulfur, BTEX and hydrocarbons outside of the specified purity range.
Cylinder Inspection & Cleaning
Conduct visual inspections of cylinders for contamination, damage, or wear before filling.
Perform interior cylinder inspections using microscopic cameras to detect impurities.
Clean and prepare cylinders with specified cleaning technique before refilling.
Testing During Processing
Perform inline purity tests during the filling process using calibrated equipment.
Implement routine checks on equipment used in the filling process to ensure no contamination occurs.
Gas Purity Analysis
Utilize GC or mass spectrometry to analyze LP gas samples at regular intervals.
Establish a minimum purity specification and reject batches that fall below this standard.
Pressure & Leak Testing
Test cylinder pressure integrity before and after filling to prevent leaks or contamination.
Ensure proper pressure levels are maintained within acceptable ranges to preserve gas purity.
Certification Record Keeping
Maintain detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every QC step, including inspection, testing, and cleaning protocols.
Require certifications of gas analyses and cylinder decontamination from vendor prior to delivery.
Upload to online database for future reference at www.solventdirect.com/documents.
Continuous Improvement
Complete regular vendor quality control audits to identify variables in supply chain.
Review QC data regularly to identify trends, potential issues, and opportunities for process improvements.
Implement corrective actions as needed to address any deviations from purity standards.
Audit and Review
Perform regular internal audits of the QC program to ensure adherence to procedures and identify any gaps or areas for improvement.
Q+A WITH RAMI RODRIGUEZ FROM CORTERA GAS
Navigating the Complexities of X-Gas 2.0, Perseus Gas, and Fast Crash with Head Chemist at Cortera Gas, LLC, Rami Rodriguez
Q1: Has it been 100% confirmed that methanol and diethanolamine are the target contaminants or if people still can't say 100% for certain? Are you guys specifically targeting those compounds when you remediate the solvent or are you guys just kind of throwing blanket fixes over it? Are you doing LLE and chromatography on the solvent or just running it through extensive amounts of sieve?
Rami Rodriguez: The 100% certainty is that hydrate inhibitors were being added to the raw product in early stages that caused major issues in crystallization. Our solution targets any oxygen-containing compound, employing a type of chemical reaction to bind to the entire molecule. This may seem like a blanket fix, but it's a specific and targeted approach, addressing the root cause—the oxygen atom. For diethanolamine, we employ reactions to uptake nitrogen compounds attached to alcohols or hydrocarbons. While we use liquid-liquid extraction and chromatography at the bench-top for analysis, these methods are not used on a large scale during processing.
Q2: So if the tanks smell, olefins are present. Does that have anything to due with the Medusa issue, or is that an entirely separate issue? Will the tainted gas look different under UV light or anything?
Rami Rodriguez: Odor doesn't necessarily mean olefins, but the garlic-like smell could be due to olefins. Olefins don't correlate with Medusa, but their presence can cause unpleasant odors. UV light can be used to distinguish the presence of unsaturated hydrocarbons (olefins) based on band absorption.
Q3: If there is H2O/moisture in the bio/system, will that increase the likelihood of Medusa (fast crashing/chalking) occurring?
Rami Rodriguez: Moisture in the butane solvent appears to have a significant effect on fast crashing or volatility in the extract. While the effect is not quantified, ongoing research aims to understand this interaction better.
Q4: Does the methanol bond to water? Will H2O/moisture act as a carrying agent?
Rami Rodriguez: Methanol addition aims to attach to free water molecules, forming an aqueous solution. While water could act as a carrying agent, there are some drawbacks to consider.
Q5: Are fast crash and chalking created by the same compound (methanol), or is it from multiple compounds? Have those compounds been 100% identified, or is the debate still up in the air?
Rami Rodriguez: Fast crash and chalking are tied together, with each having separate culprits. The main compounds causing these issues belong to different families, but their impact is exacerbated when combined. Identification is ongoing, with various compounds detected, including methanol and a range of oxygenated compounds.
Q6: Is it better to use hot liquid H2O or hot steam H2O when cleaning the system, and does it matter if it is from the city tap or if it’s deionized?
Rami Rodriguez: Clean deionized water is preferred, especially for steam cleaning. Steam at 100°C can effectively eliminate contaminants, but the choice between liquid and steam depends on what you're trying to remove. Concerns about trace metals in the water should be considered when using steam.
Q7: Is there a difference in the effectiveness of n-pentane and “pentanes” in their ability to carry/remediate methanol/Medusa? And also in their ability to create a good crystalline structure?
Rami Rodriguez: The effectiveness depends on the source of the product. Generally, lower carbon numbers like n-pentane are more effective, and higher carbon numbers are less desirable. Using the right solvent can contribute to a good crystalline structure. For example, C5 (pentanes) may not have a significant effect on Medusa, and the lower the carbon number, the better for specific applications.
Learn more about Solvent Direct butane, propane, isobutane and custom blends at www.solventdirect.com/gas or call 1-833-PURE-GAS to speak with a dedicated supply specialist about your lab supply requirements.