Fat Extractor Unit: Solvent Extraction System – 6-Position Soxhlet Apparatus Capacity, 0.1-100% Fat Range

Struggling with traditional Soxhlet extraction that takes all night and consumes excessive solvent? Are safety concerns with flammable solvents limiting your lab’s productivity? The Foss Soxtec™ ST 243 Fat Extractor Unit provides the modern, efficient, and safe solution for determining crude and total fat content. This advanced solvent extraction system dramatically accelerates the process while delivering the same precision as official methods. Designed for quality control, research, and production labs in the food, feed, and agricultural industries, this fat extractor unit is the definitive choice for laboratories that require rapid, reliable, and cost-effective results for samples like meat, grains, cereals, and pet food.

Engineered for speed without sacrificing accuracy, the Fat Extractor Unit: Solvent Extraction System – 6-Position Capacity, 0.1-100% Fat Range transforms a classic analytical procedure into a modern, streamlined workflow.

Solve Key Extraction Challenges with Modern Technology

Traditional fat analysis is often the bottleneck in a lab, plagued by slow speeds, high costs, and safety risks. The Soxtec™ ST 243 Fat Extractor Unit is specifically engineered to overcome these persistent challenges.

·       Dramatically Reduce Analysis Time from Hours to Minutes: Legacy Soxhlet methods can take 6 to 24 hours. The ST 243 completes a full batch of 6 extractions in just 40 to 60 minutes, accelerating your workflow by a factor of five. This remarkable reduction in extraction time enables your lab to achieve a throughput of 30-36 samples per day, providing faster results for critical quality decisions.

·       Slash Solvent Consumption and Disposal Costs: Conventional extraction uses large, costly volumes of hazardous solvents. This innovative system uses a minimal solvent volume of only 40-50 mL per batch and recovers approximately 80% of that solvent for reuse. This intelligent design of the economical fat analysis system significantly reduces per-test costs and minimizes environmental waste.

·       Enhance Lab Safety with Integrated Risk Mitigation: The combination of flammable solvents and high heat is a major safety concern. This unit is built with a spark-proof hot plate and dual temperature sensors that actively prevent the system from reaching the ignition point of any solvent, ensuring a safe working environment for your technicians.

·       Minimize Manual Errors with Streamlined Workflow: Handling hot glassware and transferring samples manually introduces variability and risk. The system includes dedicated batch handling tools for cups and thimbles, reducing direct contact and potential for error. This user-centric design of the easy-to-operate Soxtec unit improves both reproducibility and operator confidence.

Core Benefits: How This Extraction System Enhances Lab Performance

The Fat Extractor Unit: Solvent Extraction System – 6-Position Capacity, 0.1-100% Fat Range delivers measurable advantages that directly impact your lab’s efficiency, compliance, and bottom line.

·       Guaranteed Accuracy and Full Regulatory Compliance: This system delivers speed without compromising on quality. It is fully approved for key official methods including AOAC 2003.05, 2003.06, 991.36 and ISO 1444, 11085, 6492. With excellent reproducibility of ±1% relative across the entire measuring range of 0.1% to 100% fat, this AOAC-compliant fat extractor provides the reliable, defensible data you need.

·       Proven Cost Savings Through Efficient Operation: The economic benefits are immediate and ongoing. Drastically lower solvent use reduces recurring expenses, while faster throughput maximizes your lab’s capacity. This makes the Foss Soxtec™ ST 243 a strategic investment that improves your lab’s operational efficiency and return on investment.

·       Versatile Application Across Diverse Sample Types: Designed for a wide range of sample matrices including raw materials, intermediates, and finished products, this versatile system can handle everything from fatty meats and processed foods to animal feed and cereals with a typical sample size of 0.5 to 2 grams.

·       Complete, Ready-to-Run System for Immediate Productivity: The unit is supplied as a complete kit, including the extraction unit, control unit, and essential accessories like cups, thimbles, and seals. This comprehensive package ensures your new laboratory fat extraction workstation is operational immediately, eliminating setup delays.

Detailed Technical Specifications

The performance of the Soxtec™ ST 243 Fat Extractor Unit is defined by precise and compliant engineering specifications.

·       Model: Soxtec™ ST 243

·       Brand / Manufacturer: Foss Analytical A/S, Denmark

·       Batch Capacity: 6 positions

·       Typical Extraction Time: 40 to 60 minutes per batch

·       Typical Daily Throughput: 30 to 36 samples

·       Solvent Volume per Batch: Approximately 40 to 50 mL

·       Solvent Recovery: Approximately 80%

·       Sample Size Range: 0.5 to 3 grams (0.5-2 g typical for total fat)

·       Fat Measurement Range: 0.1% to 100%

·       Reproducibility: ±1% relative (at 5-100% fat content)

·       Maximum Operating Temperature: Up to 285 °C

·       Power Supply: 230 V, 50/60 Hz

·       Power Consumption: Approximately 1250 W

·       Cooling Water Flow Requirement: Approximately 2 liters per minute

·       Required Ventilation: Must be operated in a fume hood with a minimum airflow of 0.5 m/s

·       Extraction Unit Weight: Approximately 30 kg

·       Extraction Unit Dimensions (Width x Depth x Height): Approximately 570 x 350 x 580 mm

·       Control Unit Weight: Approximately 3 kg

·       Control Unit Dimensions (Width x Depth x Height): Approximately 280 x 230 x 190 mm

·       Key Safety Features: Spark-proof hot plate, dual temperature sensors for ignition prevention.

·       Compliant Standards: AOAC 2003.05, 2003.06, 991.36; ISO 1444:1996, ISO 11085:2008, ISO 6492:1999.

Upgrade Your Lab's Fat Analysis with Proven Efficiency

Move beyond slow, wasteful, and risky manual methods. The Foss Soxtec™ ST 243 Fat Extractor Unit is a proven global standard that enhances productivity, ensures safety, and delivers the precise, compliant results required in modern analytical laboratories.

Ready to transform your fat analysis workflow? Contact our specialists today to request a detailed quotation, schedule a product demonstration, or discuss how the Fat Extractor Unit: Solvent Extraction System – 6-Position Capacity, 0.1-100% Fat Range can meet your specific testing needs.

FAQ

FOSS SOLVENT EXTRACTION SYSTEM

ST 243 Soxtec™ / Labtec™ Line

Questions & Answers

1. What is the typical time required to complete one full fat extraction (FAT) cycle?

Answer:
A complete fat extraction cycle typically takes 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the sample matrix, fat content, and selected extraction parameters (boiling, rinsing, and recovery phases).

2. What sample quantity can be loaded per extraction position?

Answer:
The system supports a typical sample weight of 0.5–03 g for most food and feed samples. For low-fat or bulky samples, the weight may be adjusted according to the thimble size and method requirements.

3. How is the cooling system controlled? Is tap water sufficient, or is a chiller required?

Answer:
The system uses water cooling for solvent condensation. Under normal conditions, tap water is sufficient. However, in regions with high summer water temperatures, the use of a recirculating chiller is recommended to maintain efficient condensation and solvent recovery.

4. Are there any recognized standards for system calibration, and what is the approximate cost?

Answer:
The system can be calibrated according to AOAC, ISO, AACC, and official laboratory validation protocols. Calibration is generally performed using certified reference materials (CRM) or gravimetric checks. The cost varies depending on the standard and service provider, typically moderate and manageable for routine lab operation.

5. How much tap water is required to run the system?

Answer:
Water consumption depends on runtime, but typically 1–2 liters per minute during active cooling. Many laboratories reduce water usage by using a closed-loop recirculating chiller.

6. Is the system acceptable for audits by SGS, BSTI, FS authorities, Islamic Foundation, and buyers?

Answer:
Yes. The ST 243 Soxtec™ system is widely accepted in laboratories audited by SGS, BSTI, food safety authorities, Islamic Foundation (Halal), internal QA teams, and international buyers, when operated according to validated methods.

7. Are Calibration, IQ, and OQ documents available?

Answer:
Yes. Calibration, IQ (Installation Qualification), and OQ (Operational Qualification) documentation can be provided by the supplier or qualified service partners to support regulatory and audit requirements.

8. What consumables and spare parts are required for one year of operation?

Answer:
Typical consumables include:

·       Extraction thimbles

·       Solvents (e.g., petroleum ether, hexane)

·       Seals and gaskets

·       Filter papers
Spare parts may include heating elements and tubing, depending on usage frequency.

9. Can fat be extracted from milk powder using this system?

Answer:
Yes. The system is suitable for fat extraction from milk powder, following standard methods such as AOAC or ISO dairy fat extraction protocols.
Should be using CELITE 545

10. How many times can extraction thimbles be reused?

Answer:
Thimbles can typically be reused 10–20 times, provided they are properly cleaned, dried, and remain undamaged. Reuse depends on sample type and handling care.

11. How should extraction cup volume be selected relative to sample volume?

Answer:
The extraction cup volume should be sufficient to allow complete solvent circulation and boiling without overflow. The sample should not exceed one-third to one-half of the thimble capacity (40 ml) for optimal extraction efficiency.

12. What is the typical extraction time for instant noodles containing ~16% fat?

Answer:
For instant noodles with approximately 16% fat, the extraction time is typically 40–60 minutes, depending on solvent type and heating intensity.

13. What solvent is recommended for extracting fat from instant noodles?

Answer:
Commonly recommended solvents include petroleum ether or n-hexane, as specified by standard food fat extraction methods.

14. How much solvent volume is required per test batch?

Answer:
Each extraction position typically requires 40 mL of solvent

15. How efficient is the solvent recovery system, and where is the solvent stored after recovery?

Answer:
The solvent recovery efficiency is typically above 75%. Recovered solvent is condensed and collected back into the extraction cups or designated solvent containers for reuse.

16. Is the system fully automatic or semi-automatic?

Answer:
The ST 243 Soxtec™ is a semi-automatic system. Heating, boiling, rinsing, and recovery are controlled automatically, while sample loading, solvent filling, and final weighing are performed manually.

17. What safety features are included in the system?

Answer:
Safety features include:

·       Over-temperature protection

·       Solvent vapor containment

·       Efficient condenser system

·       Chemical-resistant components

·       Stable heating control

18. What warranty and technical support are provided?

Answer:
The system is typically supplied with a standard 12-month warranty, with access to technical support, spare parts, and optional annual maintenance services.

19. Can the system be used for environmental testing applications?

Answer:
Yes. The system can be used for environmental testing, including extraction of oils and fats from soil, sludge, and environmental samples, using appropriate validated methods.

20. Is the system suitable for routine laboratory use with high repeatability?

Answer:
Yes. The ST 243 Soxtec™ system is designed for routine, high-repeatability fat extraction, offering consistent results, reduced solvent consumption, and reliable long-term laboratory performance. sample capacity per day: 30/36 samples

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