Hi guys,

I have a question on Orion TEK: Boil n Base Step by step https://www.dmt-nexus.me...aspx?g=posts&t=42775
A friend of mine has done 2 separate extractions using Acacia and both worked well despite a somewhat low yield.


However the last 2 times he has done this the NPH (naptha) is not separating instead it just mixes in as soon as the naptha is poured in. The solutions that turns purplish...

Does anyone know why this is happening?

Have you been letting the solution separate in a warm water bath. My guess is you would need to add some more energy by heating up the solution when separating. Not sure but that's what I would do if you haven't been using a warm water bath.

That's bizarre, how long have you let it stand? Was your base layer unusually thick? Or perhaps you've somehow managed to form an emulsion despite that tek being designed to eliminate emulsions, could you provide us with a picture of the mixture?

Yes please post a pic if you can. The only thing I can think of is you formed an emulsion and with that case you should base the solution more. You could try slowly adding NAOH( or whatever base you used) to see if it will separate the two.

Yes basically it formed an emulsion and wouldn't separate. I will ask my friend to and add more sodium hydroxide. I will also tell him to measure the ph just be sure. What is the optimum ph?

13-14 is good.

Either not enough lye was used or you shook it too hard. Gently agitate the misture, don't shake it vigorously.

1.) Put the vessel in a warm water bath.
2.) If that doesn't work, add a few tablespoons of salt.
3.) If that doesn't work, add more lye.
4.) If that doesn't work, give it time.
5.) If that doesn't work, repeat these steps until it does.

The Nexus really discourages spoon-feeding people answers to basic questions. Dealing with emulsions is a question that has been asked and answered time and time again on the forum. Please use the search function, and read through the other threads on the subject before posting a new thread.