is basidity a possible factor in the fact that SWIMS naotha yields hardly any spice? SWIM heated it up and then added it to the emulsions. Salt was used to break up the gelatinous mass that has settled up on top of the emulsion. will post pics as soon as possible. hopefully this extraction will be successful. fingers crossed gentlemen.

projected yields were over 2.0Gr but unfortunatley actual yield was about 0.19GR. hopefully this time the remainder of the spice will come out of the emulsion and into my naptha.

It is very hard to say without more details.

A/B? STB? Drytek?

And yeah, Ph is a large factor (*the* factor in a STB you could argue) if you do not use enough NAoH you will have very small yields. I would recommend going back and re-reading whatever tech you are using to get more familiar with it.

What tek are you using?

Are you sure you basified to a high enough pH?

i think so but i can always add lye.

Perhaps give that a shot. Ime, emulsions shouldn't form at all with a high enough pH (unless perhaps you have a really sludgy STB, but I have no experience with that and therefore can't comment). Which tek are you following?

If you are using powdered MHRB, emulsions are a likely occurrence, even at high PH levels.

The emulsion layer is a combination of the basic MHRB and your solvent (probably Naptha?).

!.Mix your solution less aggressively to avoid the formation of an emulsion.

when it's too late...
1. Add a pinch of salt
2. Add some more NaOH
3. Lightly agitate the solution (More kinetic energy for the emulsion... try using a washer/dryer/subwoofer)
4. Lightly swirl the solution (Again, more kinetic energy)
5. Lightly heat the solution
6. Wait... (+ALL OF THE ABOVE)

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As for your general low yeild issue.

1. Make sure you thoroughly mix your MHRB and basic solution before adding Naptha
2. Make sure you thoroughly mix your solution with Naptha (preferably with added time, not force... because of emulsions)
3. Freeze precipitate... make sure its cold enough (freezes icecream hard...-20C)
4. Evaporate remaining solvent (Any oils left behind probably have spice in them)


Just a note: I prefer to reuse solvent, instead of evaporating it... but evaporation will show you any spice that didn't crashout in the freezer.

Another note: You could distill instead of evaporating... but only if you're comfortable with that procedure.

this is great advice hank you. the spice was pulled succesfully and the universe is back in full spin. THANKS ALOT EVERYBODY this site is a great community of helpful people

Awesome!

Did you determine the specific problem you were having? I would be interested to know what was wrong and how you got it right.