Swim started with 2 meters + of San Pedro logs (Echinopsis Pachanoi) cubed frozen solid then blended in a blender, Cactus mush was placed in a large SS pot covered with 3ph acid solution made with vinegar. Simmered for 2 hours before filtering then started reducing the extract, did another 5 X 1 hour cooks all extract was reduced to 700ml and put into an erlenmeyer flask it was still watery and not syrupy.

This was left in the fridge over night to precipitate fine particles, unfortunately swim forgot to decant before basifing. (Idiot)

Mixed 65grams of lye into 100ml of water once dissolved was added to the aqueous cacti extract. 150ml of toluene was added mixed/swirled (but no shaking) around for 10minutes then left to separate in a hot water bath at 50 - 60 degrees Celsius. After an hour in the hot water bath the emulsion that formed while mixing still did not break down, so swim left it overnight. The next day the slightest layer has formed on top maybe 1-2ml.

Swim has read that Heat,Vibrations,Salt,Higher ph/more lye, more water or more nps can aid the breakdown of emulsions, swim has & still is trying hot water baths with vibrations with no success. Would filtering out the fine particles though SS mesh help?(50 micron).

My question: what should swims next course of action be??
Any advice appreciated thank you.

There may be emulsions even when everything is done properly. How likely they are depends on many factors. The most important factors are a working TEK and then following it to the letter. Any even small difference can lead to problems.

Yes, particles can be one of reasons of problems. If you are having existing emulsion, especially for the first pull, your aim should be to break it up fully. You don't want any non-polar to be locked within it, because it holds quite a lot of mescaline and you would loose it.

You can use heating to break it, but mescaline freebase is not very heat stable and long exposition to heat is not very good.

If I had such emulsion, I would separate the emulsion + toluene first from the aqueous part. Then, once separated, I would heat it (toluene+emulsion) up for one hour with careful stirring every 5 minutes for 10 seconds. If the vessel has a stopper, it can be carefuly turned over few times instead of stirring.
If the emulsion won't break at least 70% by that time, I would stop heating.

The next step would be using time. Leaving it for few days can do wonders. It should be again carefully stirred or tured over few times a day. If you feel urge to skip this step because it lasts longer or speed it up, remember, this is not a feeling applicable to entheogens.

Once the emulsion breaks up, I would remove the toluene, join the aqueous parts, filter them as much as possible and continue with second pull.

Thanks for the info pete666 next time swim will follow the tek to the letter.

Swim removed as much of the emulsion + toluene as possible heated while carefully stirring every 5mins like you suggested, unfortunately little to non separated like this. I guess my next option is to leave it and let time break down the emulsion. Unless you or any other fellow nexus members have another trick that might work?

Heat and stir gently, as suggested.
Vibration or sonication, as suggested.
Time, as suggested.
Add extra base.
Add nacl solid just until the aqueous layer is saturated.
Filter through a pad of celite.
Centrifuge.

These are all methods that have worked for me at one stage or another.

Occasionally I have been defeated and given up. But not often.

Other steps (except mentioned) might be freezing/thawing the emulsion or changing its pH. But I would do it only if time won't help.