Centrifugal extractor LECE

The centrifugal extractor combines solvent miscibility to oil and centrifugal forces to remove hydrocarbons from core samples. As the samples are rotated, warm, clean solvent is periodically sprayed on them. The centrifugal acceleration forces the solvent to penetrate and flow through the cores.

The oil and solvent form a mobile emulsion phase that also displaces the water phase. Rotation speed should be selected based on sample permeability and degree of consolidation. Most common solvents can be used. A solvent recovery still is also provided to recycle dirty solvent and reinject clean and warm solvent into the centrifugal extractor, forming a closed loop.