Specifications

Component List

All components listed below are included in this kit. Items marked Optional can be customized.

Available Joint Sizes · GB/ISO/ASTM Standards

All sizes share 1:10 standard taper — GB, ISO, and ASTM sizes are interchangeable

14/19 19/26 24/29 (GB·recommended) 29/32 34/35 · 45/40 · 50/42 custom

GB (Chinese) 14/19 · 19/26 · 24/29 · 29/32 ISO 14/19 · 19/26 · 24/29 · 29/32 ASTM (American) 14/20 · 19/22 · 24/40 · 29/42

* All components have matching joint sizes for full system compatibility. ASTM and GB/ISO sizes share 1:10 taper — seal lengths differ but are interchangeable.

Component	Standard Spec	Available Joint Sizes	Upgrade Options	Qty	Link
Please contact us to confirm the available specifications.

📌 Customization Notes:
• Joint size can be selected to match your existing lab system:
GB (Chinese): 14/19 · 19/26 · 24/29 · 29/32
ISO: 14/19 · 19/26 · 24/29 · 29/32
ASTM (American): 14/20 · 19/22 · 24/40 · 29/42
• Extractor capacity options: 100ml, 250ml (standard), 500ml — choose based on sample volume
• Thimble options: Cellulose sleeves (acid-resistant) or Glass fiber sleeves (high-temperature) — suitable for different sample types
• All optional specifications can be freely combined with no minimum order quantity
• For special requirements, please contact our technical team

💡 Recommended Add-Ons: Boiling stones/anti-bumping granules · Silicone tubing (Φ8mm × 2m) · Glass wool (for sample packing) · Extraction solvent (hexane/petroleum ether/ethanol as needed)

Product Description

I. Principle of Soxhlet Extraction

Soxhlet extraction is a solid-liquid continuous extraction method invented by German chemist Franz von Soxhlet in 1879. The core principle uses the siphon effect to achieve automatic cycling:

Solvent Evaporation — Solvent in the flask is heated; vapor rises into the condenser
Condensation & Reflux — Vapor condenses in the condenser and drips into the extractor containing the sample
Immersion & Extraction — Solvent immerses the sample in the extractor, dissolving target components
Siphon Discharge — When the liquid level reaches the top of the siphon tube, solvent and dissolved target compounds are siphoned back to the flask
Cycle — Solvent in the flask evaporates again, beginning the next extraction cycle — repeated continuously

Each siphon cycle completes one full immersion extraction. Running for several hours can perform tens to hundreds of repeat extractions, with far higher efficiency than traditional soaking methods. Target compounds gradually concentrate in the flask solvent, while insoluble sample material remains in the thimble.

✦ Soxhlet vs Traditional Soaking Extraction: Traditional Soaking: Sample immersed in solvent for extended periods — low efficiency, time-consuming, large solvent volume.
Soxhlet Extraction: Solvent automatically cycles — fresh solvent each cycle, high efficiency, low solvent consumption, continuous operation.
Core advantage: "Limitless extractions with limited solvent."

II. Apparatus Components & Functions

Round-Bottom Flask — Contains extraction solvent, collects extracted target compounds, withstands heating
Soxhlet Extractor (Core Component) — Contains sample chamber, siphon tube, and return tube — the extraction body
Spherical Condenser — Condenses solvent vapor and returns it to the extractor
Filter Paper Thimbles / Cellulose Sleeves — Hold solid samples, prevent particles from entering the flask
Heating Mantle (or Water/Oil Bath) — Provides uniform, controllable heat
Iron Stand & Universal Clamps — Secure the complete apparatus

III. Material & Workmanship

All glass components are manufactured from borosilicate glass 3.3, providing excellent thermal shock resistance and chemical stability. The Soxhlet extractor's siphon and return tubes are precision-machined to ensure reliable, consistent siphon action with no residue or dead volume. All ground joints are precision-machined to the standard 1:10 taper, available in GB, ISO, and ASTM standard sizes.

This apparatus is designed and manufactured in compliance with GB/T 21298-2017 "Laboratory Glassware — Distillation Apparatus".

Applications

Typical Applications

Food Fat Determination

According to GB 5009.6 — crude fat content in meat, dairy, grain, and oil products

Natural Product Extraction

Active compounds from plant materials — flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, volatile oils

Environmental Pollutant Analysis

PAHs, pesticide residues, PCBs from soil and sediment samples

Polymer Extraction

Additives, plasticizers, monomer residues from rubber and plastics

Teaching Labs

Core experimental instruction in analytical chemistry, natural product chemistry, food chemistry

Target Type	Recommended Solvent	Boiling Point (℃)	Typical Time
Please contact us to confirm the available specifications.

Operation & Maintenance

User Guide

The following is the standard operating procedure for the Soxhlet extraction apparatus. Soxhlet extraction is a long-duration continuous operation — special attention to solvent safety and heating control is required.

🚨 Critical Sequence (DO NOT REVERSE):
Startup: Cooling water ON → Confirm thimble properly installed → Heat the flask
Shutdown: Turn off heat → Cool naturally → Turn off cooling water
Important: NEVER leave the laboratory or run overnight unattended during extraction!

I. Safety Check & Preparation

Inspect all glass components for cracks or chips — especially the Soxhlet extractor siphon tube
Confirm the extraction solvent meets safety requirements (flash point, toxicity, corrosivity)
Work in a fume hood — wear lab coat, safety goggles, and solvent-resistant gloves
Confirm the heating device (heating mantle) is functioning properly — NEVER use an open flame with flammable solvents
Prepare cooling water source with adequate flow
Keep fire extinguisher and sand bucket nearby as emergency equipment

II. Sample Preparation & Thimble Packing

Grind the solid sample to 40–60 mesh (approx. 0.25–0.42mm) — particles should not be too coarse or too fine
Dry the sample to constant weight at 105℃ (remove moisture), weigh accurately
Load the weighed sample into the filter paper thimble — fill height should not exceed 2/3 of the thimble
Cap the sample with a small amount of glass wool to prevent floating or siphon blockage
Insert the thimble into the Soxhlet extractor sample chamber — ensure the siphon tube is unobstructed

Standard assembly sequence (bottom to top)

Secure the round-bottom flask on the iron stand, positioned in the heating mantle
Add extraction solvent to the flask — volume about 1/2 to 2/3 of flask capacity
Add 2–3 boiling stones or anti-bumping granules
Place the thimble with sample into the Soxhlet extractor sample chamber
Install the Soxhlet extractor on the flask — ensure the ground joint is properly seated
Install the spherical condenser on top of the extractor — ensure the ground joint is properly seated
Secure the flask neck and condenser mid-section with universal clamps — ensure the apparatus is vertical
The condenser top must remain open — vented to atmosphere (never seal!)

IV. Cooling Water & Heating

Turn on cooling water first — follow bottom-in, top-out principle
Water flow should be slow and steady — excessive flow reduces heat exchange efficiency
Start the heating mantle — adjust temperature to maintain gentle boiling (not vigorous)
Observe solvent vapor rising, condensing, and dripping into the extractor — confirm normal operation

V. Extraction Operation

During normal operation, solvent accumulates in the extractor — liquid level rises slowly
When the liquid level reaches the top of the siphon tube, siphon action automatically triggers — extract with dissolved target compounds returns to the flask
Each siphon cycle takes approximately 5–15 minutes (depends on solvent boiling point and heating intensity)
Record the number of siphon cycles (typically 20–50 cycles required for complete extraction)
Extraction time is typically 4–16 hours, depending on sample type and target compound

VI. Shutdown

After extraction is complete, turn off the heating device first
Keep cooling water circulating until the apparatus cools naturally
Once the flask reaches room temperature, turn off the cooling water
Disassemble in reverse order
Concentrate the extract using a rotary evaporator and recover the solvent
Clean all glassware thoroughly — the Soxhlet extractor siphon and sample chamber require careful solvent rinsing
Dry and store properly

📌 Sample Particle Size is Critical: Particles too coarse (> 60 mesh) reduce extraction efficiency — target compounds may not fully release. Particles too fine (< 40 mesh) can clog the thimble pores, preventing normal solvent flow and potentially blocking the siphon. Standard is 40–60 mesh — slightly coarser for high-oil-content samples.
Thimble packing should be firm but not tight — too tight restricts solvent flow, too loose allows sample to float and block the return port.

💡 From a Seasoned Lab Technician: "Siphon clean, reflux smooth." — In a well-running Soxhlet extraction, the siphon action should be decisive and complete, emptying all solvent at once. If siphon is intermittent or hesitant, check for siphon blockage or uneven heating.
Siphon cycle count is a better indicator of progress than total time — 30 cycles is the standard for most fat determinations (GB 5009.6 etc.).
If solvent consumption increases significantly during operation, check if the condenser is cooling adequately — if solvent vapor escapes from the condenser top, increase cooling water flow or reduce heating immediately.
Don't overfill the thimble — sample expansion upon wetting can block the return port, preventing normal solvent flow.
After extraction, the flask extract can be used for concentration, volume adjustment, and analysis; the residue in the thimble can be dried and weighed to calculate extraction yield.

Care & Notes

Show care & notes

⚠️ Safety & Compliance Checklist

Fire/explosion prevention

When extracting with flammable solvents (ether, petroleum ether, etc.), NO open flame — always use a heating mantle in a fume hood

Anti-dry heating

Monitor flask liquid level during extraction — prevent solvent evaporation to dryness causing flask overheating and rupture

Solvent selection

Choose appropriate solvent based on target polarity — ensure solvent boiling point is below sample decomposition temperature

Standard compliance

Apparatus design complies with GB/T 21298-2017; food fat determination should comply with GB 5009.6

Do not

Condenser top must be vented: Never seal a Soxhlet apparatus — pressure buildup risks glass rupture
Never run unattended overnight! Extraction operation requires someone present for regular checks

Soxhlet Extraction Apparatus

Specifications

Component List

Product Description

I. Principle of Soxhlet Extraction

II. Apparatus Components & Functions

III. Material & Workmanship

Applications

Food Fat Determination

Natural Product Extraction

Environmental Pollutant Analysis

Polymer Extraction

Teaching Labs

User Guide

I. Safety Check & Preparation

II. Sample Preparation & Thimble Packing

Standard assembly sequence (bottom to top)

IV. Cooling Water & Heating

V. Extraction Operation

VI. Shutdown

Care & Notes

Fire/explosion prevention

Anti-dry heating

Solvent selection

Standard compliance

Need This Apparatus Kit?

Soxhlet Extraction Apparatus

Specifications

Component List

Product Description

I. Principle of Soxhlet Extraction

II. Apparatus Components & Functions

III. Material & Workmanship

Applications

Food Fat Determination

Natural Product Extraction

Environmental Pollutant Analysis

Polymer Extraction

Teaching Labs

User Guide

I. Safety Check & Preparation

II. Sample Preparation & Thimble Packing

Standard assembly sequence (bottom to top)

IV. Cooling Water & Heating

V. Extraction Operation

VI. Shutdown

Care & Notes

Fire/explosion prevention

Anti-dry heating

Solvent selection

Standard compliance

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