Beyond Traditional Solvent Extraction in Environmental Analysis

In recent decades, awareness of environmental issues has grown considerably. Solvent extraction is a widely used analytical method that helps to determine pollutants and contaminants, which is paramount not only for compliance with current legislation but also for the well-being and future of living beings.

The SER 158 solvent extractor is a versatile solution in the environmental sector, enabling both qualitative and quantitative analyses.

• Quantitative analysis focuses on determining the exact concentration of specific contaminants. The SER 158 can accurately measure levels of heavy metals or pesticides in water samples, providing critical data for compliance with environmental regulations and risk assessment. These applications are crucial for monitoring pollution, assessing environmental health, and formulating remediation strategies.
• Qualitative analysis, on the other hand, involves identifying the types of compounds present in environmental samples, such as soil, water, or air, by extracting organic pollutants and characterizing them using techniques like gas chromatography or mass spectrometry. For example, identifying the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil samples from industrial sites helps in understanding the contamination profile.

There are various techniques for conducting extractions. The traditional Soxhlet method, while well-known, has room for improvement. VELP has developed the SER 158, a fully automated hot solvent extraction that provides environmental laboratories with reliable and accurate results comparable to the traditional Soxhlet method while enhancing the ease of use and saving resources. In fact, it is  designed to enable laboratories to perform cost-effective extraction and:

• Reduce extraction time, as it is 5 times faster than traditional Soxhlet;
• Recover more than 90% of solvent to be re-used for further extractions
• Cut water consumption by saving more than 60 %
• Maximize security and safety, avoiding any contact between solvents and the operator

The SER 158 provides unparalleled versatility thanks to a wide range of accessories and consumables to accommodate different types of samples.

It is the ideal solution for high-sample productivity laboratories as you can combine up to 4 units and perform multiple applications independently and simultaneously, monitoring the analysis with the integrated yet removable ControlPad™. Additionally, by connecting the instrument to a balance and barcode reader, it is possible to achieve the highest level of automation and traceability, as well as calculate and archive the results in the ControlPad™.

The SER 158 is the ideal solution for laboratories looking for the highest level of safety: the SolventXpress™ system facilitates a seamless transfer of solvents from their storage tank to the SER 158 unit. This direct connection minimizes the need for manual handling or intermediate steps that could potentially expose operators to solvents.

Among the many advantages of this innovative technology, we can count the revolutionary connection to the the VELP Ermes cloud platform, for streamlined routine operations with real-time monitoring and remote assistance. This ensures a superior level of service while maintaining maximum data security and protection. 

If you are seeking for an effective solvent extractor and achieve accurate results, eliminating the need for aggressive chemicals or time-consuming analysis steps, the VELP SER 158 is the answer!