Emulsion

[DisEmboDied]

This is not my first rodeo, but it is the first time I have had an emulsion. I basified 100 grams sodium hydroxide in distilled water, then 100 grams MHRB, added heptane. Let it sit 24 hours, etc. etc.

For my first pull, the heptane stayed seperate in the jar, and I got beautiful fluffy white after freeze precipitation. But the next time I added heptane, since the first batch of heptane evaporated since I used a glass plate with no cover in the freezer, it turned dark purple, the heptane that is, so dark that I could barely tell the difference between it and the base. I let it sit overnight just to make sure it wouldn't settle on its own.

It did not settle. So I removed that heptane with my baster, and added fresh heptane to the base, this time it almost immediately turned real dark purple, almost the color of the base again.

Help, this has never happened before, what is going on please? Must I switch to Naphtha now? Might it have something to do with that particular batch of bark?

???

 

[3rdI]

have you tried to heat it? that is good for breaking emulsions.

I also find that with cyb's salt tek that even with vigorous shaking it wont form an emulsion so maybe adding salt would also help.

 

[DisEmboDied]

I never had an emulsion before even with vigorous shaking in the past either....hmmmm....

 

[cyb]

Emulsions are pain.
If you get a handful of fine salt and pour it over the whole mix inc. the nap.
You will find that it should clear. The addition of salt can only help.

 

[Apoc]

Emulsions are one reason why stb with lye is crappy. Small amounts of mimosa turn in to a fairly large portion of highly caustic goop, which can forms dreaded emulsions, which is basically losing product.

What you can do is this..... instead of using lye, use sodium carbonate. It IS basic enough to get the dmt out, and the benefit is that SC won't turn the mimosa to goop. You can separate the liquid from the solid mimiosa that will sink to the bottom of the jar. Then, you can add solvent to your liquid, and shake it as much as you want without any worry that it will form a permanent emulsion.