Food & proximate analysis
Soxhlet / fat extraction system
Extracts fat from a dried, ground food sample with a repeatedly recycled organic solvent. The solvent is then evaporated and the fat left behind is weighed.
- Food & beverage
- Animal feed
- Oilseeds and edible oils
- Agriculture
- Academic research
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Maintenance checklist
Daily / each use
- Check cooling water flow and condenser seals
- Check glassware for cracks and chips
- Empty the solvent recovery tank
Weekly
- Clean extraction chambers and siphon tubes
- Check heating plate surface for residues
- Check O-rings and gaskets for swelling
Monthly / quarterly
- Run a fat recovery check with a reference material
- Verify heating plate temperature with a calibrated probe
- Check solvent blank residue
Annual
- Preventive maintenance by the supplier (seals, valves, heater, safety cut-outs)
- Review the extraction programme against the method
SAFETY
Safety precautions
Before you work on the Soxhlet
- Petroleum ether, hexane and diethyl ether are highly flammable. Use only spark-free heaters and no open flames.
- Run extractions in a fume hood or ventilated enclosure.
- Check diethyl ether for peroxides before distilling it to dryness.
- Hot glassware and solvent vapour can cause burns. Allow to cool before dismantling.
- Store solvents in a flammables cabinet and dispose of waste solvent as per site rules.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management
Keep every Soxhlet in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.