New SPE-Express® 2 system automates extraction of oil and grease material

6/20/2022

Charleston, S.C. — Environmental labs can become more efficient by automating extraction of oil and grease by using the new Environmental Express SPE-Express 2 Automated Oil & Grease Extraction System. It automates extraction of oil and grease material following US EPA Method 1664, saving hours of time in the lab as opposed to performing oil and grease extraction via a manual method.

The self-contained unit employs a Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) disk to capture and separate oil and grease components from sample media. Components are eluted from the SPE disk using n-hexane and collected in an aluminum pan. Following elution and collection, the remaining solvent mixture is then evaporated through gently applied heat source removing the n-hexane and capturing the oil and grease component residue.

The SPE-Express 2 system is an instrument that performs an automated process in place of antiquated liquid/liquid extraction techniques that require manual time-intensive sample interaction. By adding a fluid management system to the extraction process and built-in evaporation capability, a hands-free method is accomplished.

Routine lab methods like EPA Method 1664 are a mainstay of sample assessment requirements in most environmental or regulatory compliance labs. Often considered as an afterthought, these methods are seldom changed or improved upon. But using updated technology such as the SPE-Express 2 system allows those working with oil and grease extraction to become more efficient and capture time savings, conserving valuable resource time for other critical activities.

Learn more about the Environmental Express SPE-Express 2 System.