My beaver, Scooter has done a few extractions and has gotten to the point where things usually work out how he expects. He was at the end of a standard STB - naptha extraction when he decided to go after the jungle.

He poured 100ml of toulene into the jars and mixed well. When the solvent layer seperated, it is not even remotely clear. It looks about like slightly watered down chocolate milk.

Nothing out of the ordinary has happened here. The naptha pulls had yielded ok...but not great. The bark powder wqas pretty old..is it possible that there is so much oxide and jungle that the toulene is super-saturated?

The plan is to hit it with FASA to see what comes out but that will be the first FASA that Scooter has ever tried.

Any thoughts?

sounds like [micro]emulsions.

try adding more base or a lot of table salt

Scooter added a solution of lye and water ph 14 to the jar of siphoned toulene. It cleared up right away. The toulene is now clear but still dark amber. He had been working at a high ph already so he didn't think that would help. He even had used 14 ph solution to bring the solvent up to a reachable level in his graduated cylinder and didn't notice any change.

Thanks for the help.

anytime.
it's why I have the flask below my rank.