EDGE
CEM's automated sequential pressurised microwave solvent extraction system — up to 95% less solvent than Soxhlet, approximately 5 minutes per sample, validated for PFAS extraction to EPA Method 1633A.
A nineteenth-century technique, still in daily use.
Soxhlet extraction runs 6–24 hours, consuming 150–300 mL of hazardous solvent per sample, generating waste requiring licensed disposal and exposing operators to vapours. The economics of solvent disposal alone often justify replacement: MAD's own experience puts the solvent used across 500 Soxhlet extractions a year at roughly the same quantity consumed by just 32 extractions run on EDGE.
Sealed vessel, focused microwave energy, minutes not hours.
Sample and solvent are sealed in a vessel (Q-Cup / Q-Disc) and heated by focused microwave energy above the solvent's atmospheric boiling point. Higher temperature raises analyte solubility and diffusion rate; extractions that take hours at reflux complete in minutes. The Q-Cup/Q-Disc filtration design removes the separate filtration step traditional accelerated solvent extraction requires.
For non-polar solvents — microwave-transparent and would not heat on their own — EDGE uses Carboflon® stir bars that absorb microwave energy and transfer heat to the solvent. Existing solvent chemistry does not need to change.
One extraction platform, many matrices.
Total fat/oil analysis, FAME determinations for food, feed and biodiesel.
EPA Method 1633/1633A, 40 PFAS compounds across environmental matrices.
Antioxidants, plasticisers, stabilisers, slip and anti-static agents.
Extractables and leachables from packaging.
EPA 3546 and equivalent methods for semivolatile and nonvolatile organics.
Up to 95% less solvent than Soxhlet.
The methods this system is designed to satisfy.
Where EDGE replaces Soxhlet extraction.
Digestion of the same sample types where required.
NMR fat analysis — an alternative to solvent extraction for fat content specifically.
Building PFAS or fat extraction capability?
| Soxhlet | EDGE | |
|---|---|---|
| Time per sample | 6–24 hours | ~5 minutes |
| Solvent per sample | 150–300 mL | Up to 95% less |
| Filtration step | Separate step required | Built into Q-Cup/Q-Disc design |
| Operator vapour exposure | Higher — open reflux over hours | Lower — sealed vessel |
| Waste disposal | Larger volume, licensed disposal | Reduced volume |
| Existing solvent chemistry | — | Unchanged — no method redevelopment for solvent selection |
| Bench time & footprint | Occupied for entire run | Minutes, sequential automated |
Where the EDGE is put to work.
Questions we are asked about the EDGE.
No. Existing solvent chemistry does not need to change. For non-polar solvents that are microwave-transparent on their own, EDGE uses Carboflon® stir bars that absorb microwave energy and transfer heat to the solvent.
Yes. EDGE is positioned by CEM as the recommended extraction tool for PFAS workflows under EPA Method 1633/1633A, which covers 40 PFAS compounds across wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, biosolids, sediment, landfill leachate and tissue. CEM publishes an evaluation of automated pressurised fluid extraction against Method 1633A and runs regular webinars on PFAS sample preparation.
Solvent consumption falls by up to 95% versus Soxhlet, which typically uses 150–300 mL of solvent per sample over a 6–24 hour run. This reduces purchase cost, fire-safety storage requirements, occupational vapour exposure and hazardous waste disposal cost.
The Q-Cup/Q-Disc filtration design removes the separate filtration step that traditional accelerated solvent extraction requires, built into the vessel itself.
The workflow around the EDGE.
MARS 6
The batch, multimode, closed-vessel microwave digestion system that converts up to 40 solid samples simultaneously into clear acid solutions for elemental analysis.
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CEM's fat analyser using low-resolution NMR technology — no calibration against reference methods, no solvents, aligned to ISO 16756 / IDF 259.
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