Chemgineer
Hazard to Others
Posts: 240
Registered: 25-5-2021
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Unblocking a soxhlet extractor syphon
I've been extracting capsaicin from hot chilli powder and last week my extractor managed to siphon a quantity of raw chilli powder into the capillary
tube on the extractor and become blocked firm.
After many attempts my successful process was to:
1. Connect some nitrile hose to the bottom drain of the extractor.
2. Use a 250ml pipette to seal with the hose and push in as much 50% nitric acid as I could.
3. Place the extractor in a large beaker upside down.
4. Wait a while for the acid to move down under gravity and add more as best I could.
5. Fill the beaker slowly with boiling water.
6. The nitric acid then became active and digested my blockage!
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macckone
Dispenser of practical lab wisdom
Posts: 2214
Registered: 1-3-2013
Location: Over a mile high
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Mood: Electrical
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I usually use chlorine bleach. Just soak the whole thing. Will eventually destroy most organics.
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bariumbromate
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Posts: 105
Registered: 4-2-2025
Location: australia
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Mood: nitrating
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or piranha solution if you want it gone quickly.
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