Harsher freebase after changing solvent

[Pemulis]

Hello Nexians. I'm looking for some advice on my extractions. I am very much an amateur with no scientific background, and have recently completed my 3rd extraction using a standard STB tek.

My most recent extraction used a different solvent (naptha found on a popular online auction site, due to lower cost). My previous two used lab grade Petroleum Ether 40/60 as solvent. I was pleased to find that the new solvent pulled significantly better than the previous ones using the petroleum ether, producing a yield (after re-extraction) of around 900mg from 100g of MHRB. This compared favourably to the previous yeilds of 300 - 400g.

What was less favourable though was the smoking experience (I vaporise my spice in a Lotus pipe, which is a GVG analogue). The vapor was harsher to smoke and, whilst the actual experience was the same, it caused me to cough a lot which took me out of the moment somewhat. This did not occur with the previous batches.

The same batch of bark was used on all occasions, and the Tek remained otherwise unchanged. I should also add that I did an evaporation test on the new naptha and it seemed OK.

Can anyone more knowledgeable than me lend any assistance as to what is going on here? And, is there anything I can do to clean up my latest batch? Whether by an additional re-extraction or something else?

Naturally I would prefer a lower quantity of a better product, and have acquired more of the tried and tested petroleum ether to use on my next extraction. Even so, i'd like to try and salvage my current batch if I can.

Your input appreciated as always, and I will of course feed back how I get on for potential help to others in my position. Thanks!

EDIT: to make clear what substance I am using as solvent.

 

[Transform]

Do you have some more info on the new naphtha? SDS, for example?

 

[Transform]

was pleased to find that the new solvent pulled significantly better than the previous ones using the Ether

Oh, and please be sure to refer to the latter always as "pet ether" if you must, in order to avoid confusion with the classic (diethyl) ether, and subsequent possible mishaps.

 

[Icon]

Could it have been a fluke or did you smoke the new stuff multiple times with the same coughing effect?

Since you've highlighted the solvent as the only change, I'd speculate residue. The lab grade pet ether likely had a higher vapor pressure and more readily evaporated. Naphtha can be heavy or light, with heavy mixtures having lower vapor pressures and higher capacities for DMT. Since you note a higher yield, the naphtha could be on the heavy side, certainly any naphtha mixture will be a little heavier than pet ether.

Do you evaporate or freeze precipitate? Did the yield look or smell any different than the pet ether batches?

 

[Pemulis]

Thanks @Transform and @Icon. Unfortunately the new naptha didn't come with an SDS (although I will double check the packaging) which is already probably a bad indication.

I freeze precipitated all of my pulls, over 24 hours (although crystals seem to form well ahead of that).

The petroleum ether definitely evaporated much more readily than the naptha, so could be the heavy kind. It also smelled stronger. Looks like I'll have to go back to my original solvent and relegate the new one to garage use only.

The coughing effect was over several uses and, although I will give it one more try, I suspect it is the naptha causing the problem. I did suspect my yield was too good to be true...

And good point on the petroleum either vs ether. Didn't even cross my mind, but the implications are obvious once you pointed it out. Thanks for that. I have now edited to original post to avoid confusion.

Is there any way to try and 'clean' the spice at all?

 

[Transform]

Unfortunately the new naptha didn't come with an SDS (although I will double check the packaging)

These are to be found online - with luck, there'll be some kind of information on the product packaging you can use to chase it up. This might include CAS number, EC number, and UFI. Searching the name and manufacturer may also get a result.

@Icon - you're right about the heavier grade being a possibce candidate. I've seen very good results with a medium-heavy naphtha for the first pulls. Re-x or mini A/B using a lighter solvent would be advisible, to help minimise low-volatility residues. Maybe even a mini A/B follewed by re-x, just not using the heavier solvent in either case.