White Paper · 9 min read
How to Size Extraction Equipment by Throughput and Product Mix
The right extraction equipment size is the smallest system that reliably hits your target output across a full production shift — not the largest model in the catalog, and not the one a competitor happens to run. Sizing starts with your target pounds of biomass processed per shift, then works backward through cycle time, batch size, and downstream capacity (winterization, filtration, solvent recovery) to see where the real bottleneck sits. This guide walks through that process using verified throughput figures across Decimal's line.
Size by Throughput and Product Mix, Not Model Popularity
Two facilities targeting the same pounds-per-day figure can land on different equipment if their product mix differs — a live-resin-focused operation weighting toward hydrocarbon extraction sizes differently than a distillate-focused operation running ethanol at higher volume. Start with your target output and product mix, then match equipment to that, rather than starting from a specific model and hoping the output works out.
Verified Throughput by Model
| Model | Process | Verified throughput |
|---|---|---|
| 5.HX | Hydrocarbon | 5 lbs. per run, 2 cycles/hour |
| 15.HX | Hydrocarbon | 200+ lbs. per 8-hour shift, 2 cycles/hour |
| 40.HX | Hydrocarbon | Up to 40 lbs. per run, 2 cycles/hour |
| 75.HX | Hydrocarbon | Roughly double the 40.HX's scale, 2 cycles/hour |
| 20.LE | CO2 | 6–9 lbs. per cycle at 1,800 PSI |
| 100.C | CO2 | 16–20 lbs. per run at 1,800 PSI |
| 20.EX | Ethanol | Up to 20 lbs. per cycle, 15–20 minutes |
| 40.EX | Ethanol | 40-lb. batches, roughly 15–20 minutes |
Questions to Answer Before You Size a System
- What's your target pounds of biomass processed per shift, and how many shifts per week is that based on?
- Does your downstream capacity — winterization, filtration, solvent recovery, distillation — match the extraction throughput you're planning for, or will it become the real bottleneck?
- Are you sizing for today's volume or a growth target 12–24 months out? Room classification and utility work are much cheaper to plan for up front than to retrofit.
- Does your product mix (live resin vs. distillate vs. isolate feedstock) point toward hydrocarbon, ethanol, or CO2 before you even compare specific models?
Staffing and Footprint Considerations
A higher-throughput model doesn't just need more biomass — it needs proportionally more winterization, filtration, and solvent recovery capacity, plus the staff to run multiple stages in parallel across a shift. Before scaling up model size, confirm your downstream process and staffing plan can actually keep pace with the extraction stage's rated throughput.
Tools to Confirm Your Sizing
Once you have a target throughput and product mix, use our equipment selector to narrow down models, compare specific models side-by-side, or work through the interactive extraction method comparison if you're still deciding between hydrocarbon, ethanol, and CO2.
Common Mistakes and Quality Risks
- Sizing the extraction step alone and discovering later that winterization, filtration, or solvent recovery is the actual bottleneck.
- Buying for a 12–24 month growth target without planning room classification and utilities for that scale from day one.
- Comparing models purely by rated cycles per hour without accounting for batch size — a faster cycle time on a smaller batch isn't automatically higher throughput.
- Assuming a single extraction method fits every product line in a mixed-product facility, when hydrocarbon, ethanol, and CO2 each suit different outputs.
Topics covered
- sizing
- throughput
- hydrocarbon
- ethanol
- CO2
- scaling
Related Equipment
- 5.HX Hydrocarbon Extractor
- 15.HX Hydrocarbon Extractor
- 40.HX Hydrocarbon Extractor
- 20.EX Ethanol Centrifuge Extractor
- 100.C CO2 Extractor
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the throughput I actually need?
Start with your target output in pounds of finished product per week or month, work backward through expected process yield to a pounds-of-biomass-per-shift figure, and compare that against the verified per-run and per-shift figures for the models you're considering.
Is a bigger model always the better choice?
No — a bigger model only helps if your downstream winterization, filtration, and solvent recovery capacity can keep pace with it, and if your facility can support the room classification and utilities it needs. Sizing for actual near-term throughput, with a documented growth plan, is generally more capital-efficient than over-sizing up front.
Should I size hydrocarbon and ethanol systems the same way?
Use the same throughput-first approach, but weigh product mix heavily: hydrocarbon extraction is the common choice for live-resin-style products, while ethanol centrifuge systems suit higher-volume distillate or isolate feedstock. See our decision framework for the full comparison.
What if I'm not sure which model fits my throughput target?
Use the equipment selector to narrow down options based on your inputs, or compare specific models side-by-side. Our team can also help confirm sizing for your specific facility and product mix.
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