Buying Glassware: Soxhlet, Liquid Extractor Advice

[Faust]

SWIM is going to be going with the Soxhlet, as an automated coffee maker of spice route, he's heard nothing but great things from 69ron and benzyme too. SWIM has always had a shameless want for large and complex glassware.

SWIM has this list of parts so far from the Bay;

Thermolyne 1900 750W AC Hotplate
Danner Mag-3 350GP/H industrial pond pump [free, already owned]
Kontes 1000ml Liquid Extractor female 45/50 24/40
Kimax 1000 ml Flask 24/40
Pyrex 1000 ml Soxhlet Extractor 55/50 24/40
Kimax Allihn Condenser [repaired???] 55/50

Pyrex Extractor is in Excellent Condition. 1000 mL Kimax Flask is in NEW / Never Used Condition. The tip of the Condenser has been repaired, otherwise it is in very good condition.

What does the liquid liquid extractor do exactly? What steps does it eliminate? SWIM wants a 55/50 Friedrich Condenser because someone on the forum said it has much more surface area than other designs.

Also, from what SWIM sees here in this small picture the Liquid/Liquid Extractor body would have its skinny arm attach to the Kimax flask, with the condenser sitting on top of the female joint on the top of the Liquid/Liquid Extractor. Where should he buy his 1000ml Friederich 55/50 condenser?

 

[69ron]

Just to be clear, that's not a 1000 ml Soxhlet Extractor. 1000 ml Soxhlet extractors have a 71/50 opening or something similar; 500 ml Soxhlet extractors have something close to a 55/50 opening.

I recommend this place:

extraction, soxhlet

extraction, soxhlet

kantu200scientificstore.ecrater.com

They have some of the best prices. It's not name brand, but you'll pay 2-5 times as much for name brand. All glassware breaks. Pyrex is just a little better than some others out there.

 

[Faust]

Just to be clear, that's not a 1000 ml Soxhlet Extractor. 1000 ml Soxhlet extractors have a 71/50 opening or something similar; 500 ml Soxhlet extractors have something close to a 55/50 opening.

I recommend this place:

extraction, soxhlet

extraction, soxhlet

kantu200scientificstore.ecrater.com

They have some of the best prices. It's not name brand, but you'll pay 2-5 times as much for name brand. All glassware breaks. Pyrex is just a little better than some others out there.

Alright, thanks a lot for the advice and the link, so this Soxhlet Extractor Body is a 500ml in that joint 24/20?

Also, where can I find a 1000 ml Erlenmeyer (flat-base) flask in 71/50 (???) size joint for the solvent where it'll be a little more stable on the hot plate?

 

[69ron]

71/50 is not the flask joint. It's the top joint of the Soxhlet where the condenser connects. The bottom that connects to the flask is usually 24/40 for most 1000 ml Soxhlets or smaller.

A 1000 ml Soxhlet with a 71/50 top joint and a 24/40 boiling flask joint is the best option because 24/40 flasks are easy to get. Some 1000 ml Soxhlets have a 29/42 boiling flask joint. Don’t get that kind. Boiling flasks with a 29/42 joint are pricey are hard to find. A 3000 ml Soxhlet will have a 103/50 (or 103/60) joint at the top and at least a 29/42 boiling flask joint or larger.

Look here:

http://quarkglass.thomasnet.com/viewitems/extraction-apparatus-2/qee-10-extractor-soxhlet?&forward=1

And I don’t recommend a round bottom flask. Those are accidents waiting to happen because they roll all over and can’t stand on their own and don’t work with a standard hotplate.

 

[eindreizig]

Just to be clear, that's not a 1000 ml Soxhlet Extractor. 1000 ml Soxhlet extractors have a 71/50 opening or something similar; 500 ml Soxhlet extractors have something close to a 55/50 opening.

I recommend this place:

extraction, soxhlet

extraction, soxhlet

kantu200scientificstore.ecrater.com

They have some of the best prices. It's not name brand, but you'll pay 2-5 times as much for name brand. All glassware breaks. Pyrex is just a little better than some others out there.

Alright, thanks a lot for the advice and the link, so this Soxhlet Extractor Body is a 500ml in that joint 24/20?

Also, where can I find a 1000 ml Erlenmeyer (flat-base) flask in 71/50 (???) size joint for the solvent where it'll be a little more stable on the hot plate?

Go on Ebay and look for an adapter for your flask. SWIM has a 71/50 soxhlet and a... 35/42 bottom joint? SWIM just uses an adapter for that to his 24/40.

69ron has some good advice about the round bottoms. They are a problem and heating things up in an oil bath, it's much harder to regulate the temperature it seems to me :/. Always make sure you check your flasks for cracks. SWIM just had a catastrophic malfunction, a flask breaking, a brand new CLLE having its sidearm broken off. This is why you make good friends with your local glass pipe blower . They should be able to do some pyrex work if the need arises. SWIM sure does.

 

[eindreizig]

SWIM is going to be going with the Soxhlet, as an automated coffee maker of spice route, he's heard nothing but great things from 69ron and benzyme too. SWIM has always had a shameless want for large and complex glassware.

SWIM has this list of parts so far from the Bay;

Thermolyne 1900 750W AC Hotplate
Danner Mag-3 350GP/H industrial pond pump [free, already owned]
Kontes 1000ml Liquid Extractor female 45/50 24/40
Kimax 1000 ml Flask 24/40
Pyrex 1000 ml Soxhlet Extractor 55/50 24/40
Kimax Allihn Condenser [repaired???] 55/50
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=390007822216

Pyrex Extractor is in Excellent Condition. 1000 mL Kimax Flask is in NEW / Never Used Condition. The tip of the Condenser has been repaired, otherwise it is in very good condition.

What does the liquid liquid extractor do exactly? What steps does it eliminate? SWIM wants a 55/50 Friedrich Condenser because someone on the forum said it has much more surface area than other designs.

Also, from what SWIM sees here in this small picture the Liquid/Liquid Extractor body would have its skinny arm attach to the Kimax flask, with the condenser sitting on top of the female joint on the top of the Liquid/Liquid Extractor. Where should he buy his 1000ml Friederich 55/50 condenser?

Oh, and just get an Allihn condesner. They work great and the 'bay has them or wherever you want to go... If you get that CLLE without the stopcock, you might want to invest in a small sep. funnel.

 

[69ron]

Also, where can I find a 1000 ml Erlenmeyer (flat-base) flask in 71/50 (???) size joint for the solvent where it'll be a little more stable on the hot plate?

I wouldn't use an Erlenmeyer flask. I would use a boiling flask with a flat bottom, sometimes called an FBF. Those are specifically designed for boiling liquids. Erlenmeyer flasks require a larger hotplate. For example, SWIM's hotplate can accommodate at 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask, but not a 1000 ml one. It can however accommodate a 2000 ml flat bottom boiling flask because the bottom is much smaller and fits on the hotplate.

Erlenmeyer flasks have a larger hotplate surface contact area than flat bottom boiling flasks, so they are a little more efficient and boil faster. But you can fit a much larger capacity flat bottom boiling flask on the same hotplate, so it’s a trade off. If you want efficiency, then use an Erlenmeyer flask. If you want large capacity, then use a flat bottom boiling flask.

SWIM’s hotplate is powerful enough that there’s no point in using an Erlenmeyer flask to boil stuff in, so he's converted to using all flat bottom boiling flasks. They also work better for concentrating liquids down because of the bowl shape at the bottom.

 

[benzyme]

swim likes rbf's, because he uses a glas-col mantle.

he also has a cork holder for 500ml rbfs. he realizes FBFs don't tip/spill as easily, but avoids FBFs because their integrity is questionable (they're more likely to implode) when operating under reduced pressure with elevated temp.

 

[69ron]

swim likes rbf's, because he uses a glas-col mantle.

he also has a cork holder for 500ml rbfs. he realizes FBFs don't tip/spill as easily, but avoids FBFs because their integrity is questionable (they're more likely to implode) when operating under reduced pressure with elevated temp.

Yeah, that's supposed to be the case, but SWIM never saw that ever happen, not even with an Erlenmeyer flask. He's done countless distillation operations in reduced pressure using an Erlenmeyer flask for years and never had a problem. If you're worried about that, get a heavy duty flask. A flat bottom boiling flask that is heavy duty is less likely to implode than a light duty round bottom boiling flask. But again, SWIM never saw anything implode ever. But all his flasks are heavy duty and he doesn’t use extreme vacuum either.

For a Soxhlet, I would NEVER use a round bottom boiling flask. That’s just plain asking for trouble. A fully loaded 1000 ml Soxhlet system is very heavy. You need a stable flat bottom for it. Trust me on this one.

 

[Faust]

I trust you both, 69ron and benzyme, to the end and further. The round bottom boiling flask is for resisting heat stress and pressure (or lack of it) in a vacuum?

SWIM understands that need some PTFE sleeves to fit in between the various 24/40 etc joints on the glassware so they don't chip or crack. Forget the glass joint grease, as someone says it's way too messy and not practically reusable.

Also, SWIM thinks with a standard laboratory base the FBF 1000ml in the auction plus extractor and condensor will stand up just fine, or won't it... that would be a huge disaster if a full Soxhlet, lab base, solvent, material, hot plate and all just fell over and broke

It says in the description that this is an auction for a FBF? Would it be easy to buy an Erlenmeyer style FBF for this 24/40 jointed Soxhlet Extractor body after the fact?

Looking at Seperatory funnels with the stopper and cork at the top (to shake stuff up in or to separate them) and nozzle at the bottom. What is the proper size sep funnel to buy for the LLE?

 

[69ron]

Also, SWIM thinks with a standard laboratory base the FBF 1000ml in the auction plus extractor and condensor will stand up just fine, or won't it... that would be a huge disaster if a full Soxhlet, lab base, solvent, material, hot plate and all just fell over and broke

Yeah, you'll be crying if that thing falls over and breaks sending glass and hot boiling solvent all over the place. A round bottom boiling flask cannot hold itself up. It's really difficult to use with a Soxhlet. I saw a guy try really hard to use a round bottom boiling flask with a 6000 ml Soxhlet and the whole system toppled over. The clamps couldn’t hold it straight. Fortunately he caught it before he started the system, so there was no solvent in it, so nothing was lost. He had to put another clamp on the Soxhlet just to keep it steady. It’s really cumbersome to setup a Soxhlet with a round bottom boiling flask. With a flat bottom boiling flask, the Soxhlet will not topple over if it’s not clamped down; you only need to clamp down the flat bottom boiling flask. It’s a lot more convenient. You can remove the Soxhlet and refill it without bothering with clamps. You can’t do that with a round bottom boiling flask.

I just plain hate round bottom boiling flasks. Unless you’re doing something that requires a very high vacuum, they absolutely are not needed. They are hard to use. You need either an oil bath or a heating mantle for them. You can’t just use a hotplate. They can’t stand on their own. They roll all over the place if you’re not careful. I hate them with a passion. SWIM never uses them. He uses either an Erlenmeyer flask or a flat bottom boiling flask.

 

[Faust]

Also, SWIM thinks with a standard laboratory base the FBF 1000ml in the auction plus extractor and condensor will stand up just fine, or won't it... that would be a huge disaster if a full Soxhlet, lab base, solvent, material, hot plate and all just fell over and broke

Yeah, you'll be crying if that thing falls over and breaks sending glass and hot boiling solvent all over the place. A round bottom boiling flask cannot hold itself up. It's really difficult to use with a Soxhlet. I saw a guy try really hard to use a round bottom boiling flask with a 6000 ml Soxhlet and the whole system toppled over. The clamps couldn’t hold it straight. Fortunately he caught it before he started the system, so there was no solvent in it, so nothing was lost. He had to put another clamp on the Soxhlet just to keep it steady. It’s really cumbersome to setup a Soxhlet with a round bottom boiling flask. With a flat bottom boiling flask, the Soxhlet will not topple over if it’s not clamped down; you only need to clamp down the flat bottom boiling flask.

I just plain hate round bottom boiling flasks. Unless you’re doing something that requires a very high vacuum, they absolutely are not needed. They are hard to use. You need either an oil bath or a heating mantle for them. You can’t just use a hotplate. They can’t stand on their own. They roll all over the place if you’re not careful. I hate them with a passion. SWIM never uses them. He uses either an Erlenmeyer flask or a flat bottom boiling flask.

Oh I see, but I am under the impression that the auction in the first post contains one of those FBFs for boiling. The apparatus appears to be standing on its own in the listing's main picture.

One (1) Large Size Soxhlet Extractor, Complete Apparatus Including:
"One (1) Kimax 1000 ml Flat Bottom Flasks, 24/40 Joint"

Also, what size tubing ID connects to its Allihn condenser water in/outlets???

 

[69ron]

Also, SWIM thinks with a standard laboratory base the FBF 1000ml in the auction plus extractor and condensor will stand up just fine, or won't it... that would be a huge disaster if a full Soxhlet, lab base, solvent, material, hot plate and all just fell over and broke

Yeah, you'll be crying if that thing falls over and breaks sending glass and hot boiling solvent all over the place. A round bottom boiling flask cannot hold itself up. It's really difficult to use with a Soxhlet. I saw a guy try really hard to use a round bottom boiling flask with a 6000 ml Soxhlet and the whole system toppled over. The clamps couldn’t hold it straight. Fortunately he caught it before he started the system, so there was no solvent in it, so nothing was lost. He had to put another clamp on the Soxhlet just to keep it steady. It’s really cumbersome to setup a Soxhlet with a round bottom boiling flask. With a flat bottom boiling flask, the Soxhlet will not topple over if it’s not clamped down; you only need to clamp down the flat bottom boiling flask.

I just plain hate round bottom boiling flasks. Unless you’re doing something that requires a very high vacuum, they absolutely are not needed. They are hard to use. You need either an oil bath or a heating mantle for them. You can’t just use a hotplate. They can’t stand on their own. They roll all over the place if you’re not careful. I hate them with a passion. SWIM never uses them. He uses either an Erlenmeyer flask or a flat bottom boiling flask.

Oh I see, but I am under the impression that the auction in the first post contains one of those FBFs for boiling.

Seller's description
One (1) Large Size Soxhlet Extractor, Complete Apparatus Including:
"One (1) Kimax 1000 ml Flat Bottom Flasks, 24/40 Joint"

Also, what size tubing ID connects to its Allihn condenser water in/outlets???

Usually 3/8 inch tubing is used.

 

[69ron]

The other reason NOT to use round bottom boiling flasks is that you’ll need to use an oil bath, or a heating mantle. Heating mantles REALLY SUCK. For optimal heating you need a different sized heating mantle for every different sized round bottom boiling flask you own! It’s ridiculous. So to save money, people will instead use an oil bath and a normal hotplate. That’s sure is a lot of fun. Talk about an accident waiting to happen. Imagine your heavy Soxhlet and it’s boiling flask sitting on top of an oil bath on top of a hotplate. Very scary. I would NEVER DO THAT. With a flask bottom flask, a good hotplate, and one clamp and you’re good to go.

 

[Faust]

Also, SWIM thinks with a standard laboratory base the FBF 1000ml in the auction plus extractor and condensor will stand up just fine, or won't it... that would be a huge disaster if a full Soxhlet, lab base, solvent, material, hot plate and all just fell over and broke

Yeah, you'll be crying if that thing falls over and breaks sending glass and hot boiling solvent all over the place. A round bottom boiling flask cannot hold itself up. It's really difficult to use with a Soxhlet. I saw a guy try really hard to use a round bottom boiling flask with a 6000 ml Soxhlet and the whole system toppled over. The clamps couldn’t hold it straight. Fortunately he caught it before he started the system, so there was no solvent in it, so nothing was lost. He had to put another clamp on the Soxhlet just to keep it steady. It’s really cumbersome to setup a Soxhlet with a round bottom boiling flask. With a flat bottom boiling flask, the Soxhlet will not topple over if it’s not clamped down; you only need to clamp down the flat bottom boiling flask.

I just plain hate round bottom boiling flasks. Unless you’re doing something that requires a very high vacuum, they absolutely are not needed. They are hard to use. You need either an oil bath or a heating mantle for them. You can’t just use a hotplate. They can’t stand on their own. They roll all over the place if you’re not careful. I hate them with a passion. SWIM never uses them. He uses either an Erlenmeyer flask or a flat bottom boiling flask.

Oh I see, but I am under the impression that the auction in the first post contains one of those FBFs for boiling.

Seller's description
One (1) Large Size Soxhlet Extractor, Complete Apparatus Including:
"One (1) Kimax 1000 ml Flat Bottom Flasks, 24/40 Joint"

Also, what size tubing ID connects to its Allihn condenser water in/outlets???

Usually 3/8 inch tubing is used.

That's excellent SWIM has plenty of that already for watercooling. SWIM has found that his thicker 2mm walled Masterkleer 3/8" ID is more kink resistant and stain resistant (and much cheaper) than Tygon 3603. So he will be going the Masterkleer route.

I would like to find a flask shaped boiling bottom if you can find one and it can be had over the internet I'm all over it!

 

[69ron]

SWIM uses cheap vinyl tubing from the local hardware store.

 

[Faust]

SWIM uses cheap vinyl tubing from the local hardware store.

Do you know where SWIM could find an Erlenmeyer boiling flask in 24/40 500ml or 1000ml; money is no object SWIM can buy it from anywhere online as long as they're reputable :shock:

If not SWIM will just buy this FBF from they bay as well and call it a day 8)

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-24-40-500ml-FLAT-Bottom-Flask-FREE-Shipping_W0QQitemZ140265340174QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Lab_Supplies?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

[benzyme]

check out labdepot, or bestlabdeals. those are two of smim's fav...there are too many other sites to list

 

[Faust]

check out labdepot, or bestlabdeals. those are two of smim's fav...there are too many other sites to list

Sweet site, benzyme.

What keywords would I use to find those plastic teflon/PTFE sleeves for my three 24/40 mm glass on glass connections and one 45/50 mm connection?

 

[Faust]

Found them, the joint protector sleeves that were recommended; "Teflon 24/40" are the keywords without quotes

http://www.bestlabdeals.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BAMP381&CartID=

Also, what size separatory funnel should I buy? Am I missing something or why are laboratory stands (metal rod + triangular base) so goddamn expensive?
http://www.labdepotinc.com/Product_Details~id~515~pid~120.aspx
Separatory Funnels ^^