Drick DRK-SOX316 Soxhlet Fat Analyzer

Overview

The Drick DRK-SOX316 Soxhlet Fat Analyzer is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument designed for quantitative extraction of lipids and other soluble organic compounds via the classical Soxhlet principle—continuous solvent reflux and cyclic percolation through solid samples. Based on gravimetric determination following solvent evaporation, it delivers traceable, reproducible fat content measurements compliant with internationally recognized food, feed, environmental, and pharmaceutical testing protocols. Its architecture integrates thermally stable metal-embedded heating elements, full-glass and PTFE-lined extraction pathways, and real-time solvent vapor management—ensuring consistent thermal profiles, minimal cross-contamination, and operational safety during extended extraction cycles using volatile solvents such as petroleum ether, diethyl ether, chloroform, acetone, or hexane.

Key Features

• Five programmable extraction modes: Standard Soxhlet (aligned with GB 5009.6–2016), Hot Soxhlet, Hot Extraction, Continuous Flow, and CH Standard Hot Extraction—enabling method flexibility across diverse sample matrices and regulatory requirements.
• Integrated metal-embedded heating system ensures rapid, uniform temperature ramping (ambient +5°C to 300°C) with ±1°C control accuracy and improved thermal efficiency—reducing energy consumption by up to 30% compared to conventional ceramic-heated units.
• Six independent extraction channels operate in parallel, each equipped with 150 mL borosilicate glass thimbles and PTFE-sealed joints—guaranteeing chemical inertness, leak-tight integrity, and compatibility with aggressive organic solvents including aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers, ketones, and halogenated agents.
• Wall-mounted vertical touchscreen controller featuring Android-based UI provides intuitive navigation, one-touch start/pause, preloaded solvent libraries, and customizable method templates—supporting rapid deployment of high-frequency assays without reconfiguration.
• Comprehensive solvent safety architecture includes real-time diethyl ether leakage detection, dual-point cooling water inlet/outlet temperature and flow monitoring, condensate presence verification, and automated shutdown upon anomaly detection—meeting OSHA and IEC 61010-1 safety benchmarks.
• High-efficiency solvent recovery system achieves ≥85% condensate capture, minimizing reagent consumption and reducing hazardous waste generation—supporting ISO 14001-aligned lab sustainability objectives.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The DRK-SOX316 accommodates solid and semi-solid matrices ranging from 0.5 g to 15 g—including foodstuffs (meat, dairy, cereals), animal feeds, soil/sediment, sludge, pharmaceutical excipients, and industrial cleaners. It fulfills critical compliance requirements for official methods: GB 5009.6–2016 (China National Food Safety Standard for Fat Determination), GB/T 9695.1–2008 (Meat and Meat Products – Free Fat), GB/T 6433–2006 (Feed Crude Fat), and GB/T 5512–2008 (Cereal Grains – Crude Fat). While not inherently 21 CFR Part 11–compliant, its audit-ready operation log (timestamped start/stop, temperature profiles, solvent selection, channel status) supports GLP/GMP documentation workflows when paired with validated LIMS integration.

Software & Data Management

The embedded controller logs all critical process parameters—including setpoint vs. actual temperature curves per channel, total extraction duration, solvent type, batch ID, operator tag, and alarm events—with automatic CSV export via USB interface. No proprietary software installation is required; raw data files are human-readable and compatible with third-party statistical analysis platforms (e.g., JMP, Minitab, Python pandas). Audit trails retain immutable records for ≥12 months, supporting internal quality reviews and external accreditation audits under CNAS-CL01 or ISO/IEC 17025 frameworks.

Applications

This analyzer serves laboratories engaged in routine fat quantification across multiple sectors: QC/QA labs in food manufacturing verifying nutritional labeling compliance; agricultural research institutes evaluating feed formulation efficacy; environmental testing facilities assessing organic pollutant load in soils and sediments; and pharmaceutical R&D units isolating lipid-soluble actives or excipients. Its broad solvent tolerance also enables non-fat applications—such as caffeine extraction from tea leaves, wax isolation from botanicals, or pesticide residue pre-concentration prior to GC-MS analysis.

FAQ

What solvent types are compatible with the DRK-SOX316?
All common organic solvents—including petroleum ether, diethyl ether, chloroform, acetone, methanol, ethanol, and hexane—are supported due to full-glass/PTFE fluidic pathways and chemically resistant seals.
Does the instrument support method validation per ISO 5508 or AOAC 991.36?
Yes—the system’s repeatability error (≤1%), precise temperature control (±1°C), and gravimetric endpoint alignment enable full validation against ISO 5508 (Animal and vegetable fats and oils – Determination of crude fat) and AOAC Official Method 991.36 (Crude Fat in Animal Feed).
Is remote monitoring or network connectivity available?
No Ethernet or Wi-Fi module is integrated; however, USB-based data export and timestamped event logging allow seamless incorporation into centralized lab informatics systems via manual or scheduled transfer protocols.
How is cold condensation performance maintained during long extractions?
Dual thermal sensors monitor inlet/outlet coolant temperatures while a flowmeter regulates water delivery—ensuring optimal condenser duty cycle and preventing vapor breakthrough, even during 16-hour continuous runs.
Can the DRK-SOX316 be used for non-food matrices like soil or polymer extracts?
Yes—its wide temperature range (up to 300°C), robust sealing, and solvent versatility make it suitable for EPA Method 3541 (Soxhlet Extraction) and ASTM D297–19 (Rubber—Extraction of Soluble Matter) applications.