Microwave-assisted solvent extraction provides higher lab efficiency in identifying organic contaminants using the microwave green extraction technique. Typical uses include chlorinated pesticides, semi-volatile organics, PAHs, PCBs, chlorinated herbicides, phenols, organophosphorus pesticides, dioxins, and furans.
Superior lab efficiency in the determination of organic pollutants from environmental matrices
Determination of organic pollutants in environmental matrices is a frequent duty for thousands of laboratories worldwide as it helps to control and safeguard the environment from high contamination levels. This analysis is frequently used to examine the effectiveness of a remediation procedure, the contamination in waste, waste landfills, and general environmental monitoring.
As a result, environmental laboratories face various problems daily to provide high-quality data and quick turnaround times while remaining competitive.
Pollutant extraction from solid matrices is frequently conducted using procedures that limit productivity and incur substantial operating expenses.
Milestone developed the ETHOS™ X with the fastEX-24eT rotor to meet the needs of environmental laboratory professionals. This allows for the simultaneous extraction of 24 samples in 40 minutes with little solvent usage. The fastEX-24eT rotor streamlines handling by utilizing large-capacity disposable glass vials, allowing for lower detection limits.
Chlorinated pesticides, semi-volatile organics, PCBs, PAHs, phenols, organophosphorus pesticides, dioxins, furans, and chlorinated herbicides are common applications extracted using microwave-assisted solvent extraction.
- High throughput
- Remarkable return on investment
- Significant solvent reduction
- Simple handling
- Consistency and reproducibility
- Consistent and reproducible results
- Safety and reliability
Image Credit: MilestoneTM Srl
Achieving lower detection limits with higher sample amount.
Using the ETHOS X with fastEX-24eT rotor, up to 30 g of a sample can be extracted with a small volume of solvent, aiding analysts in completing their work.
Using single-use glass vials, the Milestone fastEX-24eT rotor eliminates the need for cleaning and the potential for memory effect between runs. The 100 mL containers can extract a huge amount of samples. The vials’ low cost and ease of handling result in excellent productivity at a very low operating cost.
Image Credit: MilestoneTM Srl
Ease of use with disposable glass vials
The ETHOS X procedure is straightforward: samples are put into big, disposable glass vials with the proper solvent combination, then the vials are put into the Weflon vessel and sealed. Thanks to the distinctive vessel design and precise temperature control, the lab’s workflow is improved by extracting multiple matrices simultaneously.
The precise contactless temperature sensor shows the temperature of each sample in real-time on the customized user interface and guarantees complete control of the extraction cycle in all positions.
Large sample volumes of up to 30 g can be accommodated in the 100 mL glass disposable vials, allowing for lower detection limits with a smaller solvent volume. The memory effects frequently seen with other methods are removed, which speeds up even trace analysis of difficult species like dioxins.
Productivity
Although new extraction methods have emerged in recent years, they have fallen short of meeting the demands of environmental laboratories. The ETHOS X with fastEX-24eT overcomes the productivity limits of other conventional methods by allowing for the extraction of many samples in a single workday.
Other approaches process one sample simultaneously, resulting in extended extraction cycles. The ETHOS X processes 24 samples in 40 minutes while eliminating cleaning procedures using disposable glass vials. The graph below compares typical daily productivity for the Milestone ETHOS X, Sequential Pressurized Liquid Extraction, and Soxhlet.
Productivity based on 8 hours working shift. 24 samples requiring 40 minutes with the ETHOS X, 240 minutes with Sequential Pressurized Liquid Extraction and multiple hours with Soxhlet. Image Credit: MilestoneTM Srl
Consistency
Data quality and dependability are critical characteristics of environmental labs. The ETHOS X with the fastEX-24eT rotor offers quick, accurate, and exact analysis. The vessels and the temperature sensor enable the simultaneous processing of many matrices, assuring maximum extraction efficiency. Furthermore, the fastEX-24eT rotor’s unique design, which includes large-capacity disposable glass vials (100 mL), prevents cross-contamination and memory effect, resulting in reproducible findings.
Milestone ETHOS X recovery study and comparison vs Soxhlet for various organic compounds. Image Credit: MilestoneTM Srl
Compliance
The ETHOS X with fastEX-24eT further improves the efficiency of microwave technology for extracting water-insoluble or slightly water-soluble organic compounds from soils, clays, sediments, sludges, and solid wastes. It can be utilized for solvent extraction of chlorinated pesticides, semi-volatile organics, PAHs, PCBs, chlorinated herbicides, phenols, organophosphorus pesticides, dioxins, and furans.
Various official methods, including US EPA 3546, ASTM, and other national methods, define the use of microwave closed-vessel technology to improve the extraction efficiency of organic pollutants.
Video Credit: MilestoneTM Srl
Greater return on investment
Since the environmental analysis market is so competitive, modern labs must offer creative solutions with quicker turnaround times. By boosting productivity, the ETHOS X with fastEX-24eT lowers overall analytical expenses, with throughput capacities of 24 samples in just 40 minutes. Using cheap disposable glass vials, reducing solvent quantities, and requiring less maintenance, users can increase the lab’s profitability and competitiveness by lowering the cost per sample.
Source: MilestoneTM Srl
SFS-24 Simultaneous Filtration System
Image Credit: MilestoneTM Srl
The filtration phase follows a solvent extraction procedure and is part of the study of organic contaminants in environmental matrices, such as soils and sediments. A small and comprehensive workstation, the Milestone Simultaneous Filtration System (SFS) can filter up to 24 samples at once in a few minutes. The Milestone disposable funnels make handling samples easier and save fume hood space by filtering them into conventional evaporation tubes.
- Simultaneous filtration
- Compact and ergonomic design
- Up to 24 samples in a few minutes
- Better workflow