Hanon SOX406 Soxhlet Extractor

Overview

The Hanon SOX406 Soxhlet Extractor is a fully automated, benchtop solvent extraction system engineered for quantitative fat and lipid analysis in accordance with classical Soxhlet methodology (AOAC 920.39, ISO 6496, GB/T 5009.6). It implements the fundamental principle of continuous solvent reflux—where solid or semi-solid samples are repeatedly washed with hot condensed solvent vapor, enabling selective dissolution and recovery of target analytes (e.g., crude fat, oils, waxes, or organic contaminants) into a pre-weighed receiver flask. Unlike conventional glass-based Soxhlet apparatuses, the SOX406 integrates a sealed, corrosion-resistant metal bath heating module with PID-controlled thermal regulation, eliminating open-flame hazards and ensuring uniform heat distribution across all six independent extraction channels. Its hermetic design prevents solvent vapor leakage, supports closed-loop solvent recycling, and complies with laboratory safety standards for volatile organic compound (VOC) containment (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200, EU Directive 2004/42/EC).

Key Features

• 6-channel parallel extraction capability for high-throughput routine analysis in food, feed, agricultural, and environmental laboratories
• Sealed metal bath heating system with ambient +5 °C to 280 °C operating range and ±1 °C temperature stability—optimized for low-boiling solvents (e.g., petroleum ether, diethyl ether) and high-boiling alternatives (e.g., chloroform, toluene)
• Complete electrical isolation between control circuitry and extraction chamber—meets IEC 61010-1 Class I protection requirements for laboratory equipment
• Integrated solvent recovery loop achieving ≥80% condensate return efficiency, reducing reagent consumption and waste generation
• Intelligent microprocessor control with 4.3-inch LCD interface displaying real-time setpoint/actual temperature, elapsed time, remaining time, and system status
• Dual-stage safety architecture: overtemperature cutoff (hardware-based thermal fuse + software PID limit), programmable timer termination, and multi-modal alerting (audible buzzer + visual icon + on-screen text warning)
• Ergonomic linear bearing lift mechanism enabling smooth, repeatable vertical positioning of extraction thimbles relative to condenser nozzles
• Air-layer thermal insulation technology maintaining external cabinet surface temperature ≤40 °C during extended operation—reducing ambient heat load and operator exposure risk
• Corrosion-resistant stainless-steel housing and solvent-contact components compatible with common organic solvents per ASTM D4294 and USP

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SOX406 accommodates standard cellulose or glass-fiber extraction thimbles (25 × 100 mm) and accepts sample masses from 0.5 g to 15 g—supporting both macro- and semi-micro analytical protocols. It is validated for use with AOAC Official Methods 920.39 (crude fat in animal feed), 986.26 (total fat in milk powder), and ISO 1444:2022 (animal feeding stuffs). Instrument performance meets GLP documentation requirements: all temperature setpoints, run durations, and alarm events are timestamped and stored locally. While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, audit trails can be exported via USB for integration into validated LIMS environments. The unit conforms to CE marking directives (EMC 2014/30/EU, Low Voltage 2014/35/EU) and carries RoHS 2011/65/EU certification.

Software & Data Management

The embedded firmware supports user-defined method storage (up to 10 protocols), each configurable with independent temperature ramp profiles, soak times, extraction duration, and cooling delay. All operational parameters—including actual temperature curves, start/stop timestamps, and fault logs—are retained in non-volatile memory for ≥1,000 cycles. Data export is performed via USB flash drive in CSV format, compatible with Microsoft Excel, LabArchives, and ELN platforms. No proprietary software installation is required; method templates may be edited offline using any UTF-8–capable text editor. System diagnostics include self-calibration prompts for thermal sensor drift verification at user-specified intervals.

Applications

• Crude fat determination in cereals, oilseeds, meat products, and dairy powders per AOAC and ISO reference methods
• Lipid extraction for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) preparation prior to GC-FID analysis
• Residual solvent quantification in pharmaceutical excipients and herbal matrices
• Extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides from soil and sediment samples (EPA Method 3541)
• Wax and resin content analysis in botanical materials and natural resins
• Quality control of edible oils for adulteration screening via triglyceride profile isolation

FAQ

What solvent types are compatible with the SOX406?
Petroleum ether (bp 30–60 °C), diethyl ether (bp 34.6 °C), chloroform (bp 61 °C), and toluene (bp 110.6 °C) are routinely used. Solvent selection must align with flash point, boiling point, and material compatibility per manufacturer SDS.
Can the instrument be integrated into an automated lab workflow?
Yes—RS-232 serial output (optional) enables remote start/stop commands and status polling. For full automation, third-party robotic arms may handle flask loading/unloading using standardized footprint dimensions.
Is validation documentation available for regulatory submissions?
Factory calibration certificates (temperature uniformity, timing accuracy) and IQ/OQ protocol templates are supplied. PQ execution requires user-specific matrix testing per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 5.5.
How often does the metal bath require maintenance?
No scheduled maintenance is required. Annual visual inspection of heater surface integrity and condenser tubing cleanliness is recommended. Solvent residue buildup may be removed using isopropanol wipes.
Does the SOX406 support gravimetric or volumetric quantification?
It is designed exclusively for gravimetric endpoint determination: users weigh the dried receiver flask before and after extraction to calculate analyte mass percentage. No built-in balance or density measurement functionality is included.