Extractions that normally take hours can be done in minutes using Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE^®). Compared to techniques like Soxhlet and sonication, ASE generates results in a fraction of the time. In addition to speed, ASE offers a lower cost per sample than other techniques by reducing solvent consumption by up to 90%.

• Extractions in minutes
• Dramatic solvent reduction
• Wide range of applications
• Approved for use by the U.S. EPA and CLP Program
• Automated extraction of a single sample
• Economically priced for lower throughput laboratories
• Sample cell sizes: 10, 34, 66, and 100 mL
• Collection bottle 250 mL
• Operating pressure 1500 PSI (100 Bar)
• Small footprint requires less than 36 cm (14 in.) of bench space

Time is of the essence in most analytical laboratories. By using conventional liquid solvents at elevated temperatures and pressures, ASE increases the efficiency of the extraction process. Increased temperature accelerates the extraction kinetics, and elevated pressure keeps the solvent below its boiling point, thus enabling safe and rapid extractions. When an extraction takes only 15 min to complete, you can get to the data faster than ever before.

Although ASE uses the same aqueous and organic solvents as traditional extraction methods, it uses them more efficiently. Therefore, you use less solvent volume per sample, an instant savings for your operation. A typical ASE extraction is done using only 15–150 mLs of solvent.

The following industries use ASE to improve their sample preparation process.

Environmental

• Pesticides and herbicides
• PAHs and semivolatiles
• PCBs
• Dioxins and furans
• TPH (DRO)
• Explosives
• Air sampling cartridges (XAD and PUFs)

Pharmaceutical and Natural Products

• Natural products
• Active ingredients
• Herbal and dietary supplements

Foods

• Pesticide residues
• Fat
• Vitamins and antibiotics
• Contaminants

Consumer Products

• Detergents
• Paper and pulp
• Textiles and fibers

ASE meets all of the requirements for extraction under U.S. EPA SW-846 Method 3545A for Pressurized Fluid Extraction, and is accepted under CLP SOW OLMO4.2. ASE can be used to replace Soxhlet, sonication, wrist shaking, and other extraction techniques typically used.

Patented ASE technology is available in both automated and manual versions for all lab sizes and types. The ASE 100 is an entry-level system capable of performing extraction of a single sample, with cell sizes ranging from 10 to 100 mL. This system is perfect for the university, R&D, or smaller contract laboratories.

ASE operates by moving the extraction solvent through an extraction cell containing the sample. The sample cell is heated by direct contact with the oven. The extraction is performed by direct contact of the sample with the hot solvent in both static and dynamic modes. When the extraction is complete, compressed nitrogen moves all of the solvent from the cell to the vial for analysis. The filtered extract is collected away from the sample matrix, ready for analysis.

By using elevated temperature and pressure, ASE makes more efficient use of extraction solvents, providing lower cost per extraction. When compared to other extraction techniques, ASE provides the most efficient use of costly solvents.

This graph summarizes the results of the study done to validate ASE technology for the U.S. EPA in 1995. The bars represent the average analyte recovery using ASE relative to the conventional methods (shown as number above each bar). The conclusion of this study was that the data generated using ASE is essentially equivalent to the conventional techniques, albeit much faster and using much less solvent. Based on this data, which represents over 1200 extractions, U.S. EPA Method 3545 was approved.